Louis Riel & Louis Riel & Rebellion in the North-Rebellion in the North-

WestWest

SS 10SS 10Chapter 4 & 5 NotesChapter 4 & 5 Notes

Who was Louis Riel?Who was Louis Riel?

Famous Famous Manitoban?Manitoban?

Father of the Father of the Metis Nation? Metis Nation?

Saint?Saint?

Traitor?Traitor? Power-hungry Power-hungry

prophet?prophet? Madman?Madman? Sinner?Sinner?

HIS CHILDHOODHIS CHILDHOOD

Born 1844, in St. Boniface, the Red Born 1844, in St. Boniface, the Red River colony, under HBC rule.River colony, under HBC rule.

Parents—Louis Riel and Julie Parents—Louis Riel and Julie Lagimodiere, strong Catholic familyLagimodiere, strong Catholic family

Proud to be Metis—ancestors were Proud to be Metis—ancestors were French, English, Scottish fathers and French, English, Scottish fathers and First Nations mothersFirst Nations mothers

Heritage of buffalo hunting and Heritage of buffalo hunting and tradingtrading

LOUIS RIEL DAY, FEBRUARY LOUIS RIEL DAY, FEBRUARY 20082008

LOUIS RIEL DAY, FEBRUARY LOUIS RIEL DAY, FEBRUARY 20082008

I. Background to Rebellion:I. Background to Rebellion: 1868 Canadian government paid Hudson Bay 1868 Canadian government paid Hudson Bay

Company $1,500,000 to buy Rupert’s Land Company $1,500,000 to buy Rupert’s Land Land was renamed- North-West Territories or Land was renamed- North-West Territories or

NWT- transferred to Canada in 1869NWT- transferred to Canada in 1869 Government surveys the land for townships for Government surveys the land for townships for

new European immigrantsnew European immigrants Metis live at Red River Settlement and maintain Metis live at Red River Settlement and maintain

own way of lifeown way of life Metis were angered at arrival of surveyors and Metis were angered at arrival of surveyors and

attempted to stop from happeningattempted to stop from happening William McDougall is appointed Lieutenant-William McDougall is appointed Lieutenant-

Governor of NWT without local approvalGovernor of NWT without local approval

Rupert’s Land:Rupert’s Land:

II. Red River Rebellion-II. Red River Rebellion-Resistance, 1869-70- Resistance, 1869-70-

Background:Background: An educated Louis Riel emerged as a leader of the An educated Louis Riel emerged as a leader of the

MetisMetis Riel set up Le Comite National de Metis (NCM)as a Riel set up Le Comite National de Metis (NCM)as a

temporary government at Red Rivertemporary government at Red River Purpose is to bargain with Canadian government Purpose is to bargain with Canadian government

for the land, language, and religious rights of the for the land, language, and religious rights of the MetisMetis

NCM: 1. Stops McDougall from entering Red River; NCM: 1. Stops McDougall from entering Red River; 2. Seizes HBC post at Fort Garry; 2. Seizes HBC post at Fort Garry; 3. Create a List of Rights- conditions by which 3. Create a List of Rights- conditions by which

the the Metis will join Canada Metis will join Canada Prime Minister John A. Macdonald did not want the Prime Minister John A. Macdonald did not want the

settlement to become part of Canada until the settlement to become part of Canada until the claim was resolvedclaim was resolved

1869, Riel set up a provisional government which 1869, Riel set up a provisional government which he headedhe headed

Metis Way of Life:Metis Way of Life:

II. Red River Rebellion-II. Red River Rebellion-Resistance, 1869-70- Metis List Resistance, 1869-70- Metis List

of Rights:of Rights: List of rights include:List of rights include:

1.1. Right to approve or reject Federal laws Right to approve or reject Federal laws affecting Red River;affecting Red River;

2.2. Right to have land set aside for schools, Right to have land set aside for schools, roads, and public buildings;roads, and public buildings;

3.3. Every male householder over 21 could Every male householder over 21 could votevote

Riel and the Metis took their List of Riel and the Metis took their List of Rights to Ottawa to be accepted by the Rights to Ottawa to be accepted by the Federal GovernmentFederal Government

Metis Symbol:Metis Symbol:

II. Red River Rebellion-II. Red River Rebellion-Resistance, 1869-70- Thomas Resistance, 1869-70- Thomas

Scott:Scott: Thomas Scott was a surveyor, member of the Thomas Scott was a surveyor, member of the

Canada Party, and a Protestant member of the Canada Party, and a Protestant member of the Orange Order (anti-Catholic group)Orange Order (anti-Catholic group)

Scott was given permission to drive Metis out Scott was given permission to drive Metis out of Red River and actively protested against of Red River and actively protested against the Metis government, uttering threats the Metis government, uttering threats against Rielagainst Riel

Scott was jailed by the Metis for his actionsScott was jailed by the Metis for his actions Metis council found Scott guilty of Metis council found Scott guilty of

insubordination and disobedience and insubordination and disobedience and sentenced to death- Scott was executed in sentenced to death- Scott was executed in 18701870

Thomas ScottThomas Scott

II. Red River Rebellion-II. Red River Rebellion-Resistance, 1869-70- Resistance, 1869-70-

Government Responds:Government Responds: Ontario Protestants called Riel and the Metis Ontario Protestants called Riel and the Metis

murderers and demanded that the Federal murderers and demanded that the Federal Government send out an army to end the uprising Government send out an army to end the uprising at Red Riverat Red River

While Quebec Catholics protested any While Quebec Catholics protested any interference, the Federal Conservatives cautiously interference, the Federal Conservatives cautiously attempted to resolve the situationattempted to resolve the situation

The government decided that the Metis The government decided that the Metis settlement at Red River should join Confederationsettlement at Red River should join Confederation

July, 1870, the Manitoba Act was passed creating July, 1870, the Manitoba Act was passed creating the “Postage Stamp” province of Manitoba- the “Postage Stamp” province of Manitoba- Canada’s 5Canada’s 5thth province province

Many of the Metis Rights were included in the Many of the Metis Rights were included in the Manitoba Act and the creation of the province Manitoba Act and the creation of the province allowed for greater Metis’ control over mattersallowed for greater Metis’ control over matters

Assignment:Assignment:

• Complete Review Master R-10 Complete Review Master R-10 Chapter 4: The Northwest to 1070:Chapter 4: The Northwest to 1070:

• I. Important People, Groups, & I. Important People, Groups, & Events: 1-4;8;10-12;14-16Events: 1-4;8;10-12;14-16

• II. Main Ideas & Concepts: 1-5II. Main Ideas & Concepts: 1-5• III. Comprehension: 3-6; 8-10III. Comprehension: 3-6; 8-10• IV. CrosswordIV. Crossword• Due next week!Due next week!

Manitoba- Canada’s 5Manitoba- Canada’s 5thth Province- Postage Stamp:Province- Postage Stamp:

Louis Riel –Provisional Louis Riel –Provisional Government:Government:

II. Red River Rebellion-II. Red River Rebellion-Resistance, 1869-70- Dealing Resistance, 1869-70- Dealing

with Riel:with Riel: 1870, Macdonald ordered a military 1870, Macdonald ordered a military

expedition under Colonel Wolseley to deal expedition under Colonel Wolseley to deal with Riel and his actionswith Riel and his actions

Fearing death for the murder of Thomas Fearing death for the murder of Thomas Scott, Riel fled to the US where he Scott, Riel fled to the US where he remained until 1884remained until 1884

Riel was elected as a Member of Riel was elected as a Member of Parliament for Manitoba and was pardoned Parliament for Manitoba and was pardoned for the killing of Scott in 1875 by for the killing of Scott in 1875 by MacdonaldMacdonald

III. Riel and the North-West III. Riel and the North-West Rebelllion, 1885- Background:Rebelllion, 1885- Background:

1870’s Metis were pushed further and further 1870’s Metis were pushed further and further into the North-West Territoriesinto the North-West Territories

Living conditions of the Metis were poor- their Living conditions of the Metis were poor- their lots were bought and re-surveyed by Ottawa; lots were bought and re-surveyed by Ottawa; land speculators and new immigrants were land speculators and new immigrants were buying up land- thus disrupting traditional buying up land- thus disrupting traditional hunting and farming practices of the Metishunting and farming practices of the Metis

Metis petitioned Ottawa for changesMetis petitioned Ottawa for changes Macdonald repsonded with promise and scrip Macdonald repsonded with promise and scrip

or promisary certificates fpr land and cashor promisary certificates fpr land and cash Metis once again set up a Provisional Metis once again set up a Provisional

GovernmentGovernment

Metis Migration:Metis Migration:

Riel and the North-West Riel and the North-West Rebelllion, 1885- Return of Rebelllion, 1885- Return of

Riel:Riel: Metis needed proper leadership- Metis Metis needed proper leadership- Metis

leader Gabriel Dumont traveled to leader Gabriel Dumont traveled to Montana to convince a retired, very Montana to convince a retired, very religious, teacher Louis Riel to return and religious, teacher Louis Riel to return and lead new Metis negotiations with Ottawalead new Metis negotiations with Ottawa

Reluctantly, Riel agreed to return and lead Reluctantly, Riel agreed to return and lead the Provisional Government of the North-the Provisional Government of the North-West Territory in negotiating Metis rights West Territory in negotiating Metis rights with Ottwawith Ottwa

First Nations bands led by Poundmaker First Nations bands led by Poundmaker and Big Bear also supported the Metisand Big Bear also supported the Metis

Metis & Native Leaders in the Metis & Native Leaders in the North-West Territories:North-West Territories:

Riel and the North-West Riel and the North-West Rebelllion, 1885:Rebelllion, 1885:

1885, Federal Government, not wanting to 1885, Federal Government, not wanting to negotiate with the Metis, sent out the military to negotiate with the Metis, sent out the military to silence Riel and the Metissilence Riel and the Metis

Under the leadership of General Middleton, Under the leadership of General Middleton, 8,000 soldiers were sent out on the newly 8,000 soldiers were sent out on the newly created Canadian Pacific Railway to deal with created Canadian Pacific Railway to deal with the Metisthe Metis

So began the rebellion with battles at:So began the rebellion with battles at:1.1. Duck Lake- Metis vs. General Crozier and the Duck Lake- Metis vs. General Crozier and the

NWMP; 12 NWMP dead/5 Metis deadNWMP; 12 NWMP dead/5 Metis dead2.2. Frog Lake- 9 total deadFrog Lake- 9 total dead3.3. Fish Creek- Dumont vs. MiddletonFish Creek- Dumont vs. Middleton4.4. Batoche- Riel, Dumont, & Metis vs. Middleton & Batoche- Riel, Dumont, & Metis vs. Middleton &

NWMP; 4 day fight; Riel defeatedNWMP; 4 day fight; Riel defeated

Battle in the North-West:Battle in the North-West:

Riel and the North-West Riel and the North-West Rebelllion, 1885- Riel’s Defeat Rebelllion, 1885- Riel’s Defeat

& Trial:& Trial: After Batoche, Riel and Dumont escape, but Riel After Batoche, Riel and Dumont escape, but Riel

turns himself inturns himself in Riel is arrested and tried for treason- taking up Riel is arrested and tried for treason- taking up

arms against the governmentarms against the government 1885, Regina, Riel is found guilty by a jury of 5 1885, Regina, Riel is found guilty by a jury of 5

English-speaking Protestant jurors and is English-speaking Protestant jurors and is sentenced to hangsentenced to hang

November 16November 16thth, 1885, Louis Riel is hanged despite , 1885, Louis Riel is hanged despite protests from French Catholic Canadiens, pleas protests from French Catholic Canadiens, pleas for a pardon, and a failed bid to plead insanefor a pardon, and a failed bid to plead insane

The of Louis Riel and his role in Canadian history The of Louis Riel and his role in Canadian history continues: Hero or Traitor? Sane or Insane? continues: Hero or Traitor? Sane or Insane? Selfless or Selfish?Selfless or Selfish?

Louis Riel- Hero or Traitor?Louis Riel- Hero or Traitor?

Louis Riel Day:Louis Riel Day:

Louis Riel’s Grave:Louis Riel’s Grave:

The End!The End!