Louis Riel: Resistance and Response

What happened next? After MacDougall was kicked out, he claimed Rupert’s Land for Canada, and then rode back to the US. No one was in control. Riel and the Comité created a provisional government, to keep peace and order during negotiations with Canada. William MacDougall

The Orangemen The Metis were not the only settlers in Manitoba John Schultz led a group of English-speaking settlers called “Orangemen.” They were very anti-French and anti-Catholic, and wanted to see Manitoba become Canadian as soon as possible.

Thomas Scott Thomas Scott was an Orangeman who attacked Upper Fort Garry. The provisional government found him guilty of treason, and sentenced him to death. Many people from English Canada held Riel responsible for Scott’s death.

Manitoba Act Despite the anger over Scott’s death, the Canadian government passed the Manitoba Act in June of 1870. Guaranteed: Elected government Schools run by churches were allowed Bilingualism Metis would get to keep their land

“The Reign of Terror” After Manitoba became a province, Macdonald sent soldiers from Canada. He did this because: Now that Manitoba was a province, it needed soldiers like everyone else did. Because people in Ontario were angry about the death of Thomas Scott, and wanted the Metis responsible to be punished.

“The Reign of Terror” The professional soldiers behaved, but the militia that came with them attacked the Metis. In September of 1870, a Metis man named Elzear Goulet was attacked and killed by men from the militia because he was a member of the court that convicted Scott. No one was punished for his death.

J.W. Harris Surveyor who came to Manitoba in the 1870’s. Built a house on Edmonton Street that’s still there today. One of the features is this stained-glass Fleur de Lis in the front window. The Fleur de Lis was a French symbol: He put it there as a show of friendship to Metis, despite the fact that he was Irish.

Louis Riel Was elected to Canadian government in 1873, but never went to Ottawa. He was afraid of being arrested. Was given amnesty in 1875, but had to leave the country for 5 years Moved to Montana and became an American schoolteacher.

The Metis Leave Metis started to leave as more non-Metis moved in. A lot of the Metis moved to Northern Saskatchewan and Alberta.

Here we go again… The problems that made the Metis leave Manitoba soon started happening in their new homes in Saskatchewan: Railway was being built on their land Surveyors were coming in to measure land People were moving in and trying to take the land away from the Metis

Riel to the Rescue! The Metis needed Riel’s help They asked him to come back and lead them. Riel wrote a petition like the Metis Bill of Rights from 1869. Canada promised to look into the Metis’ problems, but didn’t do much. Riel took over a church in Batoche, made another Provisional Government, and sent a new Bill of Rights like the one from 1869.

Groups that are watching this closely Immigrants interested in settling in the area Canadian Government Non-Metis Aboriginals Orangemen Land Speculators from Toronto (people who make money buying and selling land).

In your group… Read the Bill of Rights, 1885. Highlight the words and phrases that your group would find important. Be prepared to explain why they are important.

1. That the half-breeds of the Northwest Territories be given grants similar to those accorded to the half-breeds of Manitoba by the Act of 1870. 2. That patents be issued to all half-breed and white settlers who have fairly earned the right of possession on their farms. 3. That the provinces of Alberta and Saskatchewan be forthwith organized with legislatures of their own, so that the people may be no longer subjected to the despotism of Mr. Dewdney. 4. That in these new provincial legislatures, while representation according to population shall be the supreme principle, the Metis shall have a fair and reasonable share of representation. 5. That the offices of trust throughout these provinces be given to the residents of the country, as far as practicable, and that we denounce the appointment of disreputable outsiders and repudiate their authority. 6. That this region be administered for the benefit of the actual settler, and not for the advantage of the alien speculator. 7. That better provision be made for the Indians, the parliamentary grant to be increased and lands set apart as an endowment for the establishment of hospitals and schools for the use of whites, half-breeds, and Indians, at such places as the provincial legislatures may determine. 8. That all lawful customs and usages which obtain among the Metis be respected. 9. That the Land Department of the Dominion Government be administered as far as practicable from Winnipeg, so that the settlers may not be compelled as heretofore to go to Ottawa for the settlement of questions in dispute between them and the land commissioner. 10. That the timber regulations be made more liberal, and that the settler be treated as having rights in this country.

Next…. When you’re ready, put your answers on the board. On a separate piece of paper, answer the following: What would the group you represent like in this Bill? Why? What would the group you represent not like? Why? How would the group you represent respond? When you’re ready, put your answers on the board.