Red River And The Métis

Rupert’s Land

Red River

Rupert’s Land 1670-1870 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

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

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

The Métis flag—the oldest flag in Canada

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

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

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

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

Métis Traders

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

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

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.

Red River Valley

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.

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.

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

William McDougall

Louis Riel

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.

National Committee of the Métis

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.

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.

John A. MacDonald

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

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

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

Fort Garry

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.

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

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

Thomas Scott

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.

Louis Riel and other Rebel Leaders

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.

Manitoba in 1870

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 560000 hectres of land was kept for Métis families.

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.