The Red River Rebellion

Background to the Rebellion 1869 arrival of land surveyors and speculators in Red River area increased tension. Settlers were angry with the HBC for proceeding with the sale of Rupert’s Land. Were also upset about the surveyors for laying out square townships with no regard for their traditional strip lots. They began to wonder if the Canadian government was trying to take away their land.

Background to the Rebellion In an effort to preserve the rights of his people, Louis Riel organized bands of Métis to observe and confront the surveyors. Riel also formed the Métis National Committee to fight for Métis concerns about their land.

The Red River Rebellion Begins Métis National Committee met new governor of Northwest Territories, William McDougall, and told him to go back to Ottawa because they intended to govern themselves. Next, they occupied Fort Garry and seized its munitions.

Red River Rebellion: The Métis’ Goals Riel and his supporters had no intention of rebelling against Canada. They wanted to ensure that the Métis would retain their rights and traditions after the region was transferred to Canadian authority.

The Red River Rebellion Riel set up a provisional (temporary) government to maintain order and to negotiate an agreement by which the Red River Settlement area could enter Confederation as the province of Manitoba. Riel feared that if Governor McDougall was allowed to take charge of the area that he would give members of the Canadian Party all of the power and ignore the Métis. Feared that this would lead to the Métis losing their rights. The Red River Métis subsequently drew up a List of Rights (see textbook page 159).

The Red River Rebellion In December 1869 Riel led party of armed Métis to Dr. John Christian Schultz’s home (the Canadian Party headquarters). Schultz and 48 followers taken to Fort Garry by Riel and his party. Riel wanted to negotiate with Canadian Government. PM Sir John A Macdonald refused to recognize Riel. Nevertheless, Riel’s provisional government met to draft a proposal for the creation of the province of Manitoba for the Métis to take to Ottawa.

The Red River Rebellion Meanwhile Schultz escaped and was planning to attack Fort Garry when his raiders clashed with the Métis and several of his followers were arrested again. Included Thomas Scott, a belligerent member of the Canadian Party who loudly publicized his anti-Métis views, physically attacked his guards, and threatened Riel’s life. Scott was executed by Riel’s provisional government on March 4. Scott was seen as a Protestant martyr who was cruelly murdered by the Métis.

Manitoba joins Confederation Macdonald’s government finally heard the case of Riel’s delegates in late April Government agreed the terms of Manitoba’s admission to Confederation. Macdonald refused to allow provincial control of public lands, but offered a compromise in the form of a 200,000 hectare land grant to the Métis in recognition of their land title. Manitoba entered Confederation May 2, 1870.

Wolseley’s Expedition After Manitoba joined Confederation, Macdonald wanted to support the calls of justice coming from Ontario and dispatched a force of 1200 to Winnipeg under the control of Colonel Wolseley. Wolseley was to keep the peace until the transfer of power to a new provincial government could be made. Macdonald instructed him not to treat Riel’s government as legitimate. The arrival of the expedition marked the effective end of the Red River Rebellion. Riel’s life was in danger, and he fled Manitoba and spent the next 15 years in the United States.