The Northwest Rebellion

1. The Northwest Rebellion

2. Governments Agenda • Government wants to sell land in North-West Territories for profit • Some land already occupied by Métis and settlers • Government needs money for building of the railway • Reduced assistance to those that were “difficult” • Slashed Dept. of Indian Affairs budget • Métis and First Nations getting upset, desperate

3. Native Complaints • Treaties not respected • Sold substandard goods • Lands shrinking rapidly • Western settlement = plagued by smallpox • Resented destruction of buffalo herds and way of life • Department of Indian Affairs budget cut back • Rations and supplies reduced • Many bands were starving and the gov’t showed indifference to their plight • Starving Salteaux raid Gov't food storehouse

4. Metis Complaints • Resented government treatment of lands • Cheated out of their land titles (scrips) 1881: Métis petition gov't for assistance • Want legal ownership of the land • Want long river lots, not square townships • Farming assistance needed

5. White Settler Concerns • Wanted gov't economic assistance • Poor markets for goods • Wanted representation in Government

6. Louis Riel Returns • Within this growing climate of frustration, Louis Riel returned to his prairie homeland in July 1884. • The charismatic Métis leader had spent years in exile in the United States for heading the 1869-70 Red River Resistance. • The Red River uprising had won many rights for Manitoba residents. • Now Métis and white leaders in the North West Territories wanted Riel to work his magic for them.

7. Riel Political Route • At first Riel took the political route. • He sent a petition to Ottawa outlining the grievances of the Métis and white settlers. “Metis Bill of Rights” • Riel also tried to entice the prairie natives to join the cause. • Faced with continued government indifference, Riel’s tactics became more militant and his mental state became shakier. • Riel increasingly believed he was a prophet from God sent to lead his people.

8. Provisional Government • In March 1885, Riel formed a provisional government and a small military force. • Armed conflict followed as Riel’s followers and government troops clashed mostly in the Saskatchewan territory. • Riel lost all the support of the white settler's organization, which had once allied with him. • He was never able to gain the firm support of the prairie natives.

9. Tension Builds • Riel’s return adds to the tension on the Prairies • Government trying to finish railway, deal with Métis, secure the NWT, increase settlement, etc. PM Macdonald • Maybe he wanted Riel to cause trouble? • Troops would be sent by rail to Prairies, Métis would be defeated, and would garner public support for the railway

10. Tension continues to build HBC official Lawrence Clarke: • Wealthy land speculator • Wanted gov’t to crush the Métis and prevent them from getting “his” land • Became informant for the gov’t • Started false rumours, to increase tension and distrust among the Métis

11. Tired of Stall Tactics • Métis waiting for gov’tresponse to Bill of Rights petition • Send Clarke to Ottawa to get update (thought Clarke was on their side) • Clarke returns, says 500 NWMP on their way to arrest Riel (not true) • March 19, 1885: Riel speaks to Métis at Batoche • Gov’t insists on war, “Justice commands us to take up arms”

12. Conflict Begins Métis move on Fort Carlton: • Location of only NWMP detachment • NWMP reinforcements a week away • Clarke delays reinforcements, eggs on NWMP into a showdown with Métis Battle of Duck Lake: • Métis and NWMP argue, 2 Métis negotiators are shot, fighting begins • 12 NWMP dead • NWMP abandon Fort Carlton

13. Reinforcements Arrive • Gov’t quickly sends troops to the Prairies by rail (CPR) • Most arrive within 10 days • Gen. Middleton in charge of troops • Troops split into several groups to face the Métis and First Nations • Middleton’s troops head towards Batoche

14. Battle of Fish Creek • April 1885: Just outside Batoche • Gabriel Dumont leads Métis in ambush of Middleton and troops • 300 Métis stop 1600 soldiers • Métis use cover and sniper fire • Riel is initially against attacking the NWMP before Batoche • Guerilla tactics, but Dumont changed his mind • Battle delays troops by two weeks

15. Battle of Batoche May 1885: Batoche • Metis are attacked by Canadian troops • Troops have cannons and Gatling guns • Métis run out of bullets, have to fire rocks and nails from their rifles • Métis eventually forced to flee or surrender • Dumont escapes to the USA • Riel distraught over loss of life, surrenders

16. Result • Riel will be put on trial for treason • He hopes to use the trial to gain attention for the plight of the Métis • Northwest Rebellion is defeated • Deaths: 53 Canadian troops, 35 Métis and First Nations • Support for Canadian Pacific Railway (CPR) increases, able to be finished

17. Division Between English and French • English Canada clamored for the federal government to take tough measures against the Rebellion leader. • People had not forgotten Riel's execution of an English Canadian man named Thomas Scott during the Red River uprising. • In contrast, French Canada pressed the government to show leniency toward the French Catholic Riel.

18. Riel Trial • In the end, the federal government was determined to dispose of the man who had led two uprisings in the young country's history. • Riel's trial for high treason was a national spectacle, manipulated by Ottawa. • Despite continuing questions about his sanity, Riel was found guilty and hanged. • The trial and its aftermath divided the young country along French and English lines. • Riel’s legacy persists today and symbolizes a nation’s continuing struggle to reconcile its linguistic, religious and racial differences.