METIS LIVING IN THE RED RIVER CAME TOGETHER AS A SOLID COMMUNITY WITH A SHARED IDENTITY.

The Metis…Red River

Metis

AN EMERGING IDENTITY IN THE WEST Metis considered themselves:

citizens of a Nation distinct from the Europeans, Canadiens and First Nations.

(present day) Manitoba Winnipeg had the largest Francophone Metis community.

Majority were Francophone Metis, and Catholic. LANGUAGE - Metis raised by parents of First Nations

and European decent, thus knew several languages (French, English and one or more First Nations languages). Metis at Red River spoke Michif.

DIFFERENT GROUPS ARE LIVING NEAR RED RIVER

Country born Metis = children of First Nations women and

British Traders from HB. Protestant

Cree Anishinabe and First Nations Roman Catholic Missionaries

arriving in 1818 built churches and schools.

Canadiens British employees of HBC Red River became the center

of Francophone Metis Communities.

METIS –TH BUFFALO HUNTERS The Metis develop a unique

economy – fur trade/hunting buffalo

(They are VERY important in the fur trade). Employed at every trading post. They knew two or more

languages and thus acted as interpreters. They were trappers, traders, freighters and therefore worked in all aspects of trade.

Used meat to make pemmican: (mix meat with fat/berries). Metis sell it at the trading posts. Is important food source. Metis

don’t travel without it, could stay good for years.

CONFLICT AT THE RED RIVER The Scottish

Nobleman Lord Selkirk in the early 1800 ‘s purchased a huge piece of land from HBC at the Red River.

Dozens of families from Scotland come in, hoping to creating a farming community.

METIS REACTION TO THE COLONISTS The Metis had no paper stating:

that they owned the land they had been farming on for over 100 years.

concerned that their life would be run by British Culture of the colonists.

The Nor Westers were allies of Metis also opposed the colonists. The Nor Westers were competing for control over the fur trade. They felt that the HBC sent Lord Selkirk and the colonists to disrupt the trade.

CONFLICT OVER RESOURCES As the colonists prepared the

land to grow their first crops they relied on the buffalo for food.

The governor of the colony worried that his colonists would starve to death .

In 1814, he banned the Metis from exporting meat, fish and vegetables from Red River. It was called Pemmican Proclamation.

METIS AND NOR WESTERS WERE OUTRAGED

The _________ were an important resource to the identity and economy of the Metis.

The Metis were upset and stole equipment from the colonists. Locust infestation occurred making matters worse… So in 1815, many colonists loaded their belongings into canoes and left.

BATTLE OF SEVEN OAKS Tensions were high among remaining colonists and

Metis. Battle breaks out between remaining colonists and

Metis The 2 groups faced each other by the grove of Oak

trees beside the Red River. A shot ranged out… A Metis and 21 colonists lay dead.

The Battle of 7 Oaks was the first time the Metis stood up as a united group against Canadian government.

Country born Metis joined with Francophone Metis. This event marked the beginning of the Metis Nation

MIGRATION FURTHER WEST 1821…HBC took over its rival, the

North West company. This meant that the Red River colonists and land belonged to the British.

An important business for the Red River Metis was the buffalo Robe trade. In the 1840’s increase demand for buffalo hide…It was the thickest during the coldest months. They would make blankets and coats.

METIS AND FAMILIES SPENT WINTERS ON THE PLAINS CLOSE TO THE HERDS. AS THE BUFFALO BEGAN TO DIE OUT, HUNTERS TRAVELLED VERY FAR FROM RED RIVER COLONY TO FIND THEM. MANY FAMILIES WERE AWAY FROM THEIR HOMES AND FARMS FOR MOST OF THE YEARS. THEY MIGRATED OR MOVED WEST AND SET UP COMMUNITIES WHICH IS NOW SASKATCHEWAN AND ST. ALBERT. CATHOLIC MISSIONARIES THAT RAN CHURCHES, SCHOOLS ALSO MOVED THERE. THESE WERE SOME OF THE EARLIEST FRANCOPHONE COMMUNITIES IN WESTERN CANADA.

RED RIVER RESISTANCE, 1869 The Red River Metis felt that

Rupert’s land belonged to them. They had been living there for over 100 years.

They relied on farming, trapping animals and hunting buffalo in this vast territory. The govt. of Canada was beginning to see it as a good place to send more European Colonists.

CANADA TAKES AN INTEREST IN THE WEST.

The vast land of Rupert’s Land was left to the Aboriginal people who lived there.

In 1857, The Canadian government sent scientific teams to assess the land in the West. They learned about the climate and resources of the area. The land was well suited for farming. The land had a wealth of natural resources and suddenly the west became appealing.

Farm land in Ontario was becoming scarce and they were looking else where. As a result, they felt that Rupert’s Land should join Canada.

POINTS OF VIEW…PAGE 181… PLEASE READ THE POINTS OF VIEW.

RUPERT’S LAND JOINS CANADA By the 1860’s:

the Red River Colony was trading with Americans. It was growing steadily.

British Colonists in Red River and people in Ontario began to worry that if Canada didn’t quickly claim Rupert’s land, the United States would.

In 1869, Canada purchased the territory from the HBC for 1.5 million dollars.

FEARS OF ASSIMILIATION Canada claimed Rupert’s Land. The First Nations and Metis were worried about

their future. They had no idea about the sale of the land nor did they have a say in that deal.

They were worried about assimilation where a culture is absorbed into another culture and whereby they would have to learn the customs and traditions of the other culture. They were worried thatt hey would be forced to give up their way of life. They had many questions.

RED RIVER RESISTANCE OF 1869 Canada was ready to take over Rupert’s Land on

December 1, 1869….before this though the federal govt. sent surveyors to Red River. Their job was to prepare the land for the expected rush of farming colonists. The govt. did not ward the local First Nations and Metis. When the surveyors arrived, measuring lots beside the rivers the First Nations and Metis were surprised. They asked them to explain but they didn’t understand them as they only spoke english. So they asked one of their fellow villagers, named Louis Riel who spoke English, French and Cree to interpret. They bought themselves some time as the knew the surveyors would be back.

THE METIS WERE USED TO GOVERNING THEMSELVES

They set up a National Committee to protect their right to the land. Louis Riel became an important member of the committee. He was a devout Catholic. In December the Metis took control of Fort Garry a major fur trade center in Manitoba. They established a Metis provisional Government. They chose Louis Riel a 25 year old Metis who was passionate about his people’s rights to be president.

Youtube: Quebec History 21 - Act of Union and Louis Riel

METIS BILL OF RIGHTS The Metis wanted to negotiate terms so they drew

up a Bill of Rights to present to the govt. of Canada (to protect the interests of the peoples already living there). Either French or English would be used in the legislature.

Govt. Documents would be printed in both languages. Laws for the new province would be decided by the

residents. The Metis would keep the rights to their land. Local officials would be elected by the local people. The federal govt. would negotiate treaties with the First

Nations living there.

THE MANITOBA ACT : THE CREATION OF MANITOBA (1870)

Riel was a major influence on the Manitoba Act(it was based on his list of rights for the Métis).

The victory for the Métis was the guarantee that they would receive:

The Manitoba Act guaranteed: title for the lands they already farmed and 1.4 million

acres of farmland for their children Language rights (both French and English used in

government) Religious rights - the right to Catholic schools (for the

French) and Protestant schools (for the English). and Manitoba having representatives in the House of

Commons and the Senate

THE MANITOBA ACT : THE CREATION OF MANITOBA (1870)

The Canadian government PROMISED to grant pardon to any Métis involved in the Red River Resistance, but in the end, a pardon was not included in the Manitoba Act. (Another broken promise...)

Riel was exiled (banished) from Canada for 5 years. The government also agreed not to put him on trial for the death of Thomas Scott. Riel was elected to the Canadian parliament three times while in exile, but never took his seat. He returned to Canada in 1885.

BUT THERE WERE PROBLEMS IN RED RIVER WHILE LOUIS RIEL IS GONE... (1870-1885)

Soldiers who are sent to Manitoba to stabilize the situation, take their anger out on the Métis. Several Métis are beaten, jailed and killed by the Canadians (which increases tensions).

There were still disputes over land No treaties between the First Nations

and the Canadian government were signed

The buffalo were disappearing

Disappearing buffalo (due to over-hunting).

How important were the buffalo to the way of life of the Métis and First Nations?

• The buffalo were disappearing. • The land was being surveyed into large

blocks. • They did not have legal title to their lands. • They did not have representation in the

Canadian government. • The new railroads were bringing more and

more settlers (Métis fear assimilation). The Métis and First Nations sent at least 15

petitions to Ottawa but they were all ignored...

PROBLEMS CONTINUE...

SOUND FAMILIAR?

hint: During the R____ R______ R____________

Youtube: History of Quebec 22 – Depression and the Métis

The Metis are ANGRY and IMPATIENT...

THE NORTHWEST RESISTANCE OF 1885(THE SECOND MÉTIS UPRISING)(VIDEO)

THE RETURN OF RIEL : THE NORTHWEST RESISTANCE

Riel returns from exile at the request of the Métis. They set up their own government at the community

of Batoche. They send a Bill of rights to Ottawa demanding land

rights, and food rations (because many First Nations are starving to death as there are very few buffalo).

The battle was violent, but brief: At Duck Lake - The Métis defeat a group of North West

mounted Police. At Frog Lake - the Métis kill 9 and capture a Police Post.

The Federal government sends soldiers on the new railway, and the battle ends after 3 days. The Métis must surrender because they have run out of bullets.

Youtube – Quebec History 23 – Métis Northwest Resistance

THE OUTCOME OF THE NORTHWEST RESISTANCE

The resistance is over. During the battle: 53 soldiers from Ontario are killed, and 118 were injured. 35 First Nations and Métis were killed

Louis Riel surrenders and is charged with treason (the betrayal of one’s country).

John A Macdonald is conflicted about wether or not to save Riel, but in the end decides not to help him in order to please Ontario (for their electorial votes)

Youtube – Quebec History 24 – Louis Riel is Hanged

He is found guilty and sentenced to hanging. Riel’s execution confirms to the Canadiens that the Confederation is not an equal “partnership”, but that it is unequal and unfair.

Louis Riel – Historica Minute

THE OUTCOME OF THE NORTHWEST RESISTANCE Once the uprising was over, the govt responded to

some of the complaints that caused it... The govt began giving out certificates to land rights, but the

Métis remember how difficult it was to get rights (to the land they’ve been farming for 100 years) so they sell land to the highest bidder, and end up with a fraction of the value of it.

Aboriginal people are punished for being involved int he resistance (8 hanged, rest sent to prison)

Whole communities were punished for the actions of the few and their food rations were cut off.

First Nations people needed to special permission to leave their reserves.

ALL the above restrictions allowed more room for European farmers, and for the Canadian Pacific Railway to expand.

The govt of Canada thus gain control of the West.

Do you feel this was a positive outcome for people who wanted equal rights but who were ignored?????

GABRIEL DUMONT Dumont was the

military general for the Métis. He was a buffalo hunter and spoke over six languages, a guide and an interpreter. He was also famed for his drinking and gambling.

“Louis Riel was the heart of the Métis people, and Dumont was their sword”