Red River Rebellion Métis, Louis Riel, Rebellion, Results of the Rebellion
Expanding on to Métis Land- why were they worried? The population of the Red River settlement was mainly French-speaking Catholic- the inaugural government of Canada was English and had ties to Britain still. Although the Métis had been on the land for generations, they had no proof from the government that the land they were farming on belonged to them. Before confederation, how did the Métis people agree and verify their treaties?
Métis List of Rights- what they wanted from the Government Provincial status for Rupert’s Land and the North-West. A Legislative Assembly for the province. Recognition of both French and English as official languages. The right to sign treaties with the First Nations. Does anyone know why the Métis would want these rights?
Causes of the Red River Rebellion Without permission from the Métis, the Canadian Government sent surveyors to the settlement to divide the land similar to the land in Ontario. Louis Riel created a National Committee to decide the future of the Métis and they created the list rights the wanted.
Causes of the Red River Rebellion- continued The rebellion officially started when Prime Minister Macdonald sent William McDougall to be the Lieutenant-Governor of the North-West but when McDougall arrived at the settlement he was denied entry because they wanted their land claims resolved first The Federal government did not want to meet with the Métis and solve their issues. As a result, the Métis took over Fort Garry which was a center for the Fur Trade in the Red River area
December 7 th, 1869 Louis Riel and his group of Métis supporters took over a store owned at the time by Dr. Charles Schultz (who was a leader of the English Protestants living on the settlement). Once they had control, Riel jailed 40 Schultz’s guard at Fort Garry. Dec 8 th - the Métis established their own government.
Ending the Rebellion- Mid December 1869 A representative from Ottawa was sent to Fort Garry to stop the rebellion. He told the Métis that the government would recognize their land rights. Riel was made the head of Council that included English and French speaking people on the Red River settlement. The council made changes to the Métis list of rights (a Roman Catholic school system separate from the Protestant system).
What’s Happening in Ontario? Many civilians were unhappy with the proceedings on the settlement. February, a group of 600 men set out to attack Fort Garry and free the prisoners of Dr. Shultz’s store. Riel responded by sending Métis horsemen to stop the attack. What do you think happened? The Métis captured 48 new prisoners.
One Prisoner- Thomas Scott Thomas Scott was one of those 48 who were captured and vowed to kill Louis Riel when he was set free. Scott tried to escape but was recaptured and executed.
Reaction from Ontario and Quebec The English-speaking people of Ontario were angry about the execution and want Prime Minister Macdonald to send army troops. The French-speaking people of Quebec did not feel the same way and believed Scott deserved to die. Riel was hero to the French because he stood up for their culture even though he was thousands of miles away.
March 1870 Prime Minister Macdonald did not want anger Ontario or Quebec. As a result, Ottawa reached an agreement with the Métis representatives and the rebellion was over.
Results of the Rebellion The Métis were granted most of the land they asked for in their List of Rights. July 15 th, Manitoba became the 5 th province. Macdonald sent an army to Red River to restore order. When the army reached Fort Garry, all Métis who tool part in the rebellion were not criminally charged. However, Riel and two other leaders were charged. This forced Riel to run away. Does anyone know where?
Task- questions Should Thomas Scott be executed? Why? If you were the Prime Minister, what would your decision have been keeping in mind the differences between English Ontario and French Quebec? Should Louis Riel be arrested? Why If you were Riel, what would you do? Why?