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The Beginning of the Rebellion
The Metis of Saskatchewan brought Louis Riel back to Canada, from where he was exiled in the United States. He rallied for Metis and Non-Metis people alike to sign a petition to fight their case against Prime Minister John A. Macdonald. -
Frog Lake Massacre
This event was known as one of the most influential during the North-West Rebellion. It was driven by hunger and mistreatment rather than political agendas. led by Wandering Spirit-young Cree warriors attacked the community of Frog Lake-capturing Thomas Quinn from his home and 11 other hostages.Thomas,an Indian agent,was harsh and arrogant towards the Cree. Wandering Spirit shot Quinn and panic ensued,eight other prisoners died.News of this encouraged other Indian communities to raid HBC stores. -
Fort Pitt
Cree warriors began attacking Canadian settlements, and captured Fort Pitt from the NortWest Mounted Police. 200 Cree warriors descended on Fort Pitt- they intercepted a police scout party-killing a constable and others. Outnumbered and hiding in a Fort meant for trade not war, Commander Francis Dickens negotiated with the Cree warriors. Big Bear released the remaining police officers, but kept the townspeople as hostages. They destroyed the Fort and left. -
Sir Frederick Dobson Middleton
Middleton was born in 1825, and is most commonly known as the commander of the North-West Field Force sent to suppress the Northwest Resistance. His battle strategies were cautious as he was given an army of poorly trained men. His army was interrupted at Fish Creek on their way to Batoche by Gabriel Dumont’s Metis forces. Although the Metis army technically won the battle, Middleton’s army continued on and helped win overrun Batoche on May 12th. -
Battle Of Cut Knife Creek/Hill
A small force of Cree/Assiniboine warriors were attacked by Col. Otter and his force. After marching 35 miles in freezing rain, and a night with no sleep and few rations, Otter’s force was not ready for battle. The Indians hid in bushes and open fired on Otters men who had no coverage from the bullets. The Gatling gun was not effective, and the artillery guns broke down fast. Otter retreated and the Indians did not pursue. Nothing was ever resolved,however, the Indians counted this as a win. -
Battle of Batoche
The Métis defeat at Batoche virtually ended the NorthWest Rebellion. The Canadian force launched an attack against 350 Metis/First Nation people. They attacked by water/steamboat, land, two-prong attack(which failed miserably), and random heavy rifle fire. Nothing seemed to break the defences of Riel and Dumont’s army. As the Canadian force retreated to regroup and strategize, the Metis came out of their rifle pits. They were quickly overrun by Canadians and that was the end of the Battle. -
Gabriel Dumont
Gabriel Dumont, born 1837, led a small Metis Military force during the Northwest Resistance. In 1873 he was elected as president of a local government created by metis living in south Saskatchewan. He created petitions asking for farming assistance, schools, land grants, and title to occupied lands. His army had some success especially at Duck Lake, and Fish Creek. Unfortunately his army could not withstand the Canadian army and lost the battle of Batoche on May 12th. -
Loon Lake
This was between Major Steele army and Plains Cree warriors. It was the last battle of the 1885 Resistance,and the last battle fought on Canadian soil.Steele's army had been hunting this group as they had English and Metis hostages.The Cree put up a good fight considering what small ammunition they had left,however it wasn’t enough and quickly released their prisoners and fled in all directions. Dozens were wounded,and after this defeat, Wandering Spirit surrendered to authorities. -
Bibliography
http://www.metismuseum.ca/resource.php/00455
http://esask.uregina.ca/entry/fort_pitt.html
http://www.virtualmuseum.ca/sgc-cms/expositions-exhibitions/batoche/docs/proof_en_battle_of_batoche.pdf
http://library.usask.ca/northwest/background/middletn.htm
http://faculty.marianopolis.edu/c.belanger/quebechistory/encyclopedia/RedRiverRebellion.html
