1. Confederation of Manitoba Metis Resistance

2. Canadian Expansion Plans  BNA Act included two vast territories: Rupert’s Land and the North-Western Territory.  Population in the Dominion of Canada was growing rapidly and people looked to the West to expand.  One of the first priorities of the Dominion government was to begin negotiations to acquire Rupert’s Land from the HBC.  1869- Reached a deal to transfer Rupert’s Land to the Dominion of Canada- did not consult with First Nations, Metis or Inuit peoples or families who were living on the land.

3. Land Survey  William McDougall (minister of public works) sent a survey team to Red River to establish boundaries for immigrants coming from Canada.  The survey crew spoke only English and the majority of residents spoke French or Michif.  Confrontation at Andre Nault’s farm led to his cousin Louis Riel stepping in and declaring that the Dominion of Canada had no right to survey Red River without permission from its residents.

4. National Committee  Metis people gathered to discuss their strategy for dealing with the Canadians.  October 19, 1869- formed the Comite national des Metis (National Committee of the Metis)  Stated that the people of the region had the right to be informed about negotiations between HBC and Canada.  Also stated that Canadian delegates had no right to enter Red River without permission from the Comite.

5. Provisional Government  Canadians tried to enter Red River and were sent away at the US border.  Comite took over Upper Fort Garry and elected equal representation from French and English parishes to become the government of Red River.  McDougall rode to the border and proclaimed the land for Canada, which prompted the Comite to begin work on a list of demands to negotiate their entry into confederation.

6. Manitoba Act  Manitoba entered Confederation as a self-governing province (could elect their own government)  Included government support for denominational schools (those run by the church) and preserved official bilingualism.  Children of the Metis would receive title to 1.4 million acres of land  Manitoba was nicknamed the “postage stamp province”

8. Dispersion of the Metis  Due to problems with land grants and the sense that they were unwelcome among immigrants, many Metis people decided to leave Manitoba.

9. Louis Riel Video  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=t5YrtvO7FDs https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=t5YrtvO7FDs