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The Sale of Rupert's Land
In 1868, the Hudsons Bay Company was planning on selling Ruperts Land to the British Government. This sale, however, didn't involve the First Nations and Metis who resided on the land. -
The Red River Resistance
The conflict between the Metis and the Canadian government at the time of selling Rupert's Land was known as the Red River Resistance. Before the sale was finalized, the Government sent people to map out land into lots (for the new settlers). The first group of surveyors arrived in Fort Garry in 1869. They didn't ask permission from the Metis to enter their land. The surveyors reached the farm of Andre Nault in October of 1869. Andre attempted to stop them and called other Metis for help. -
The Provisional Goverment
In 1869, the Metis made their own provisional government to negotiate with the Canadian government. Riels was the president of this new goverment. This goverment included french speaking metis as well as english speaking residents of the Red River. -
The Canadian Party
A group of Red River settlers attempted to overthrow the provisional government soon after it was established. The metis captured and imprisoned 50 members of the Canadian Party. Thomas Scott, one of the prisioners was disobediant and was executed in March 1870 -
Manitoba Becomes a Province
the provisional government wanted to make sure Manitoba became a province. The Canadian government passed the Manitoba Act on May of 1870 and Manitoba officially became a province -
The Numbered Treaties
In order for more settlers to move to the Northwest, The Canadian government needed more land. The Numbered Treaties were a series of 11 treaties made from 1871 to 1921 between the First Nations and the Canadian government. In return for their land to the government, the First Nations were given money, tools, and a right to hunt and fish on the land. -
The Federal Election
In 1872, there was a federal election. Mcdonald and his government were losing fame. To help his government, he asked for campaign donations. Hugh Allan, a rainway builder, donated more than 350k to this campaign. -
Madonalds Resignment
In April 1873, a rival in the election announced that he had evidence of Macdonald taking a bribe from Allan. In return for the money, he promised to allow Allan's company to get a contract to build a transcontinental railway. Macdonald resigned in November 1873 and Alexander Mackenzie won the election. -
The Indian Act
The Canadian government created laws regarding the First Nations. In 1876, these laws were combined and made the Indian Act. These laws were made to control First Nations throughout Canada -
Macdonald Becomes Prime Minister
After winning the election, Mackenzies new government was suffering. In September 1878, it was time for the next federal election. Macdonald was elected prime minister again, and many supported him. -
The Metis Leave Manitoba
Within months of the Manitoba Act, the settlers from eastern Canada move to Manitoba. They take take over much of the land that used to inhabit the Metis. By 1880, majority of the Metis has decided to give up their land and move out of the province. Many headed to present day Saskachewan. -
The Canadian Pacific Railway
The new elected governments national policy made the transcontiental rainway a priority. In 1881, the government hired a new company called the Canadian Pacific Railway Company for the railway. -
Building the Canadian Pacific Rainway
The construction began in 1881. The route travelled through the Northwest, where many Aboriginals resided. There was a shortage in workers so the goernment recruited people from China to come help it. More than 17k workers hired were chinese -
Residential Schools Created
IN 1883, the Canadian government made residential schools designed to assimilate and educate First Nations children. These schools were run by religious groups. -
Petitioning the Government over Delayed Land Claims
As part of the Manitoba Act, the federal government promised to set aside land for 7000 descendants of the Red River Metis. By 1884, the Metis were still waiting for the federal government to give them the land. Frustrated and tired of waiting, many Metis left Manitoba. The population of Manitoba dropped hugely. -
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Louis Riels Return to Canada
In 1884, a group of 4 metis men traveled to Montana to meet with Louis Riel. They wanted him to lead their protest against the federal government. Louis and his followers petitioned the federal government to settle the Metis and new settler land claims. -
Creating a New Provisional Government
Louis created a new provisional government like the one he had set up in 1870 and was appointed president -
Battle of Duck Lake
Dumont and his men raided a store in Duck Lake, Saskatchewan for supplies. The next day, police tried to track down Dumont and his men to take back the supplies. Men on both sides were killed, as well as Dumonts two brothers -
The Federal Government Deploys Troops
After the Battle of Duck Lake, the federal government sent troops to the Northwest, lead by Frederick Middleton. It only took 11 days for the troops to arrive in the Northwest. Within a month, there were over 3000 troops ready to fight the Metis. -
Riel gets Arrested
Following his arrest, Louis was placed in Regina jail for 8 weeks. On July 20, 1885, his trail began. He pleaded not guilty for treason -
Riels Sentencing and Death
After a 4 day trial, the jury found Riels guilty of treason. In the end, Macdonald decided to hang Riel. He was executed on November 16, 1885.