1. Red River
And The Métis

2. Rupert’s Land

3. Red River

4. Rupert’s Land
HBC controlled most of Northwest Canada (Rupert’s Land)
Métis made their living in Rupert’s Land as trappers
In 1811 Lord Selkirk made a settlement in this area and many Métis came to farm
The Métis were a very strong and united group

5. The Métis
The Métis were a group of people of mixed Aboriginal and European descent
The first Métis were those born of fur traders and First Nations women during the mid 1600s
Today, the Métis are recognized as one of Canada’s three aboriginal peoples
They have often faced prejudice for being “half breeds

6. Métis Daily Life
In the 1800s they spoke a language known as Michif (French and Cree mix)
They traditionally held land along the river similar to the seigneurial system of Lower Canada
Hospitality is a big part of their culture and they are known to always have a pot of soup simmering to be eaten with bannock

7. The Métis flag—the oldest flag in Canada

8. Bannock & Pemmican
Métis families traveled across the prairie in their Red River wagons to hunt buffalo.
Bannock could be prepared quickly and cooked over a campfire rather than an oven
Pemmican, dried bison, was mixed with fat and berries and was also a staple

9. Teamwork and Discipline
The Métis were known for their discipline when hunting and had a code known as the “Law of the Prairie”
No bison run on the Sabbath Day
No person to run off before the order
Every captain is to patrol and keep guard
At first offence the offender would have his saddle and bridle cut up
At second his coat off his back was cut up
At third he was flogged

10. Trade and Travel
Métis innovations in transportation helped expand the Northwest part of Canada
They developed the York Boat and the Red River Cart

11. The Bison Hunt Large bison hunts were a part of Métis life
Métis hunted by “running the herd”
Métis would move the bison together and then charge through them shooting the largest animals
This was a very dangerous form of hunting as there was a risk of stray bullets and if you were knocked off your horse you could be trampled

12. Métis Traders

13. The Métis sash– an important symbol that was used for many things: a towel, bandage or a saddle blanket

14. Louis Riel
In 1844 Louis Riel was born in Saint Boniface in the Red River settlement (Manitoba)
He was a very talented boy who was sent to Montreal to study to be priest
He decided instead to be a lawyer and returned to the Red River Settlement in 1868 just after Confederation
Riel becomes a very influential and powerful politician in Manitoba

15. Sale
January 1869 Government of Canada bought Rupert’s land from the Hudson’s Bay company.
The government was not allowed to take over until December 1869, almost a year later.
No one from the government had spoken to the people of the Red River Settlement or asked for their opinion
They were afraid of losing their land and freedom.

16. Red River Valley

17. The Surveyors Arrive
In the summer of 1869 surveyors arrived and started marking land into squares for settlers.
However, the land that was being surveyed was already claimed by Métis families.
The Métis became worried and angry.
Louis Riel, who spoke for the Métis told the surveyors to stop, they did and left the area to avoid a fight.

19. The Lieutenant-Governor
The Canadian government appointed McDougall as Lieutenant-Governor
He was a poor choice as he had little respect for the Métis
The Métis send McDougall a note and told him to stay away from the settlement until they have negotiated a deal with Canada to make them part of the union
McDougall had already arrived in the area when he got the message so he continued on
Two days later he is met by an armed guard and escorted out of the area
Riel and the Métis take control of Fort Garry, a key fort in the Red River area.
The Métis took over the fort and were able to control the surrounding area.

20. Message to McDougall Sir,
The National Committee of the Métis of the Red Riel orders William McDougall not to enter the territory of the North-West without special permission of the abovementioned committee.
By order of the President, John Bruce
Louis Riel, Secretary

21. William McDougall

22. Louis Riel

23. National Committee of the Métis
After the surveyors left, the Métis from Red River got together to discuss the situation and they formed the National Committee of the Métis.
The Métis of Red River knew that the surveyors would be back and would be surveying the land for new settlers.

24. National Committee of the Métis

25. Forming a Provisional Government
The French and English speaking Métis in the Red River realized that they needed to form a government if they wanted to join confederation and have the same rights as other colonies.
In December 1869 the Métis formed a provisional government( a government that takes over until a final government is in place) and Louis Riel became the leader.

26. Negotiating
John A. MacDonald decided it was better to negotiate with the Métis provisional government than to take their land by force.
MacDonald sent messengers to talk to the Métis and the Métis in return sent three delegates to Ottawa in February 1870.
The delegates brought with them the Métis Bill of Rights.

27. John A. MacDonald

28. Key Points of the Métis Bill of Rights
The Métis would keep their culture, including the use of both French and English in education and law.
The Métis would keep the right to their land.
The federal government would negotiate treaties with First Nations in the area

29. Trouble is Brewing
Riel wanted to go to Ottawa as a united group including those few English protestant settlers
Riel has the support of the majority of English and French settlers to go to Ottawa and negotiate with MacDonald.
MacDonald won’t negotiate until everything has calmed down
On December 1, 1869 MacDougall decided to walk in without speaking to MacDonald and claim Rupert’s land for Canada

30. Canada Party a.k.a. “The Canadians”
The Canada Party was created by a strong group of English settlers who disagreed with Riel
They wanted to control Red River even though they only just arrived
They did not believe the Metis should have rights
They attacked Fort Garry, the fort Louis Riel had taken over so they could control the area
Riel and his men defeat them and they are put in jail as enemies of the Provisional Government

31. Fort Garry

32. Trouble in Fort Gary
Some men escaped and made plans to attack Fort Garry again, but they were caught and thrown back in jail.
One of the men, named Thomas Scott said he would escape and kill Louis Riel.
Under traditional Métis law Scott’s actions were serious offences so he was put on trial.

33. Why Fort Garry?
The fort contained cannons, guns and enough pemmican to feed a large group over the winter
With winter coming the Canadian military would be unable to reach them for at least 6 months
This gave the Metis a position of strength for when they negotiated with Ottawa

34. Thomas Scott The prisoners were recaptured
Thomas Scott was put on trial
He was found guilty of defying the Provisional Government
Sentenced to death and Riel enforced this penalty by executing him by firing squad on March 4th 1870.
Canadians were outraged and charged Riel with murder

36. Thomas Scott

37. Trouble in Ottawa
When English speaking Protestants in Ottawa found out about Thomas Scott’s execution they became very angry.
They wanted Louis Riel to be punished and the army to be sent in.
Because many Métis were French speaking, the French supported Riel because they saw him as defending French culture.
John A. MacDonald decided not to arrest Riel so that he would not lose the French voters in the next election.
MacDonald was also looking for a peaceful solution.

38. Louis Riel and other Rebel Leaders

39. The Province of Manitoba
MacDonald and the Métis worked out an agreement-The Manitoba Act was created.
The province of Manitoba was created on the 15th of July 1870.

40. Manitoba in 1870

41. Key Points of the Manitoba Act
Manitoba could send four members to the House of Commons in Ottawa and two members to the Canadian Senate.
People in Manitoba could use either French or English in schools and government.
Approximately hectres of land was kept for Métis families.

42. Riel Leaves
When Manitoba was created Riel was happy but he was concerned that he would be charged with Thomas Scott’s murder.
MacDonald arranged to have Riel leave the country to let things cool down, but Riel did not go.
Riel did have to go into hiding because a militia was after him and had decided to kill him. They did not succeed
In 1874 Riel was elected to the house of commons but was not allowed to take his seat. The new prime minister, Alexander Mackenzie, agreed to grant Riel amnesty if he left Canada for five years.
Riel chose to leave this time.