Métis and FN in the Northwest, Riel Returns, Métis Bill of Rights

Métis in the Northwest territories  1884 losing patience with Canadian Government - Unclear status under the Indian Act - Not part of the treaty process - Increasing immigration of settlers - Feared loss of rights

First Nations Starving - FN signed treaties gave up their land and moved to reserves. - government broke promises about providing food after the buffalo were all but killed off. - Government refused to feed “difficult people”

“They made us many promises, more than I can remember, but they kept only one; they promised to take our land, and they did.” Chief Red Cloud

First Nations in need of help  First Nations came to the Métis and settlers for help and aid  The Métis and settlers angry - felt they had to pay for the government’s broken promises.

Métis Petitions Sent to the government to try to make sure Métis rights are recognized

Canadian Government Agenda  Surveys told the government that 6. 4 million hectares of land  = 71 million dollars in government revenue  NO Métis petition was going to stand in the way

Métis take action! Here we go, the start of the Northwest rebellion

Where is riel?  After Red River - Sent into exile 5 years, lasted 15 - Turned to religion - Convinced he is a profit - Time in a asylum - Settled in Montana - Married, 2 kids, teacher (like me!)

Return of the king! 1884 Métis needed a strong and iconic leader Gabriel Dumont asked Riel to return as the Métis Leader

Métis Bill of rights  Addressed Métis grievances  Written by Riel and William Henry Jackson (local farmer representative)  Included concerns of Métis and non- Métis people (FN, European farmers) living in the Northwest Territories  Sent to Ottawa Dec 1884 and acknowledged by gov., but rights ignored!

Did the government want a rebellion? Rebellion would prove: - the Métis were violent and unruly

Crushing the Rebellion would : - Prove the value of and need for the CPR - Free up Métis land for settlement - Ensure Métis did not gain land rights - Did HBC Factor Clarke promote a rebellion?

Government prepares for rebellion The government passed a law making it illegal to sell bullets to the Métis living in the Northwest Territories.

AGAIN Riel sends another Petition - Riel knew the government was in possession of the Métis Bill of Rights - This petition demanded responsible government for the Northwest Territories

Government prepares for the rebellion  HBC Chief Factor and Magistrate Lawrence Clarke became the government’s informant  Wants the Métis gone - Made a ton of cash in land speculation - Feared lose everything if Métis granted land rights

Riel and Clarke- the final straw!  Riel picked Clarke as their representative - Political connections - Riel assumed sympathetic  Clarke went to Ottawa - The only answer the Métis will receive for their petition was bullets NWMP sent to arrest Riel

Justice Commands us!  March 19 Riel at Batoche - Peaceful solution impossible - Canadian government determined to make war - “justice commands us to take up arms”

Battle of Duck Lake May  Métis moved on Fort Carlton to seize supplies - NWMP Superintendent Lief Crozier confronted Métis army at Duck Lake - Negotiations failed- 2 Métis shot! - Both sides open fire

Métis Victory at Duck Lake  the Métis were better marksmen, and, they knew the land better…they were victorious at Duck Lake.  12 NWMP dead, 25 wounded  Fort Carlton evacuated

Empire STRIKES BACK!  Canadian government mobilized 5000 troops  Troops arrive in just 5 days! Entire force in 10 days!- Thanks CPR  General Middleton in charge

Battle of fish creek  Dumont knew to ambush Canadian troops before they reached Batoche - Ambushed at Fish Creek Métis stopped 1600 militia soldiers

Canadian Army has Gatling Gun

Riel’s mental state?  Said God himself was talking to him and telling him he was “the chosen leader of the Métis people”.  During battles, he would find a hill and climb to the top, hold a crucifix over his head to bless the Métis soldiers.

Battle of Batoche May 9  Métis stronghold- Batoche attacked by Canadian troops - Had canons and Gatling Gun - Métis short on bullets and used rocks

Battle of Batoche  Métis defeated- surrender or flee - Dumont fled to the US - Riel surrendered May 15- thought trial could bring his cause to attention  Death toll - 53 Canadian soldiers and volunteers - 35 Métis and First Nations

Chief Poundmaker  Refused to join the NW Rebellion - Believed resistance was futile - His people attacked by Canadian troops at Cut Knife Hill - Arrested for treason, sentenced to 3 years

Chief Big Bear  Refused to join the NW Rebellion his people refused supplies at Frog Lake - Wandering Spirit took 9 hostages- killed - Big Bear convicted of treason- 3 years - Wandering Spirit executed

Chief Crowfoot  Refused to join NW Rebellion  Railway dispute - Railway building on his reserve - Peaceful negotiations - Got compensated with extra land - Willaim Van Horne awarded him CPR lifetime pass

Trial of Riel July  Taken to Regina and charged with treason  Lawyers wanted Insane defense  Riel wanted to argue Métis forced to fight  Not allowed to testify or question witnesses  6 man jury

Found Guilty of treason August 1  Found guilty after 1 hour- jury recommended mercy  Law required death penalty  Quebec petitions demanded mercy  Hanged November

Métis and First Nations MétisFirst Nations  No land titles, forced to squat on public land reserved for roads  Half-breed became an insult  Moved into cities to hide ancestry  81 charged with murder or treason- 44 convicted  No translation in court  8 hanged for murder in Battleford November 17  At the mercy of the government

Hero or villain?