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Metis Governance 2-6 (Red River Rebellion)

By kayleigh.moffat

  • Beginning of the Red River Rebellion

    Beginning of the Red River Rebellion
    (Day and month are estimated) The Red River Rebellion is a movement of self-determination by the Metis people of the Red River Colony. It began in late 1869 when Louis Reil showed as a spokesman for the Metis people. At this time the Hudsons Bay Company controlled almost all of the trade in Canada.
  • Period: to

    Red River Rebellion

  • Canadian Government

    Canadian Government
    Due to Louis Riel and the Metis peoples objection convinced the Canadian government to refuse to take over the territory as it had been agreed. This encouraged Riel followere, who had already prevented McDougall from entering the settlement. They seized Upper Ft Garry and fought against supporters of Canada. Representatives of the settlers were summoned to an elected convention which proclaimed a provisional government, which was soon headed by Riel.

  • Winter times

    Winter times
    Louisgained the support of most of the country, which agreed to form a representative provisional government to negotiate with the Canadian government the terms of entry into confederations. Armed conflict carried on over the winter, but Riel seemed in control until he made the major mistake of court martialling and executing Ontario orangeman - Thomas Scott.

  • Rights?

    Rights?
    Although the Canadian government recognized the rights of the Metis people of Red River in negotiations in Ottawa, the victory was limited. A new province called Manitoba was created by the Manitoba act. Its territory was limited to the old boundaries of the settlement, but the vast north-west remained firmly with the Canadian government. Even within Manitoba, public lands were controlled by the federal government. "Mixed-blood" land titles were guaranteed.

  • The end of the Red River Rebellion

    The end of the Red River Rebellion
    Louis Riel and his lieutenants fled just before the arrival of British and Canadian troops. Although the rebellion had won its major objectives: a distinct province with land and cultural rights guaranteed; the victory was hollow. The Metis soon found themselves disadvantaged in Manitoba that they moved farther west.