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Métis community thrives in Red River Valley
No specific date.
Red River Valley located in modern day Manitoba along both the Assiniboine River and the Red River.
Community made up of mixed French-Native people.
The colony was established as a supplier of the HBC.
Almost everything that the employees needed was shipped from London. Building a colony near the forts will heap the HBC to supply employees at a much less expense.
Area controled by Thomas Douglas, 5th Earl of Selkirk. -
Period: to
Northwest Canadian History 1810 - 1870
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War of 1812 begins
War of 1812 between Britain and US.
Lasted 3 years.
White House burned down.
No land exchange.
Britain weaker earlier in war because of earlier wars with Napoleon. -
Founding of the Selkirk Settlement in the Red River Valley
Became known as Red River Colony.
Founded by Thomas Douglas, 5th Earl of Selkirk.
The initial arrival was unsuccessful because they were there in late August and were not able to prepare themselves for the early winter.
So the settlers returned to Fort Pembina. When they returned to again for the labour the second year, they found out that their crops have failed. Facing starvation, the group left for again before winter.
It was not until the third year that things started become normal. -
Pemmican Proclamation
Forbade the exportation of Pemmican, or anything else from Red River Colony.
Issueed by Governor Miles Macdonell ensure that the settlers had a food supply over the winter .
Because this proclamation banned the Metis selling pemmican to the NWC, Macdonell angered both groups.
He’s actions eventually make the mistreated retaliate.
Under the direction of NWC Chief Trader Duncan Cameron, both NWC’s employees and the Metis harassed the colonists and made man leave.
Macdonell was then arrested. -
Cuthbert Grant raids an HBC Pemmican supply
Led by prominent Metis leader.
Pemmican supply was raided.
They believed that this raid properly compensated them for their loss caused by the Pemmican Proclaimation.
One month later he returned with armed Metis to the settlement.
This battle killed a group of conlonists and escalated the disputes into a full scale conflict.
Incident later named as the "Battle of the Seven Oaks". -
Selkirk's treaty with the Cree and Ojibwa nations
Lord Selkirk signs treaty with Cree and Ojibwa living in modern day Manitoba area.
Treaty creates stability for the Selkirk settlement and unchallenged claim towards the area.
In return, the natives were give 100 pounds of tobacco each year. -
HBC and NWC Merge
HBC and NWC form one company, putting an end to the competition between them.
45% of shares go to HBC, but they get to keep the name.
Both companies were tired of the comflicts.
At the time, the fur trade was rapidly depleting its resourse base -- there was not enough fur to sustain both companies.
The trade monopoly was extended from Rupert's Land to the Rock Mountains.
Some old, less efficient rountes of the NWC was rarely used.
The merger was followed by a job cut. -
Act of Union
Created the United Province of Canada.
Ceased to exist at Confederation.
Worker towards uniting Canada more and more.
Enacted by the British Parliment.
Failed at shutting down French Canadian Political influence.
Produced the Double Majority principle. -
All British North American Colonies have responsible government
All Colonies in BNA finally have responsilbe government, 12 years after the rebellions of 1837.
Responsible Government was advised by John Lambton, the 1st Earl of Durham.
Put to test in 1849 with the Rebellions Losses Bill, which gave compensation to anyone and everyone who lost things during the rebellions, even rebels. The governor general had serious misgivings, but couldn't veto it, so passed it was, and angry were the rich and powerful. -
Immigrants start arriving in Red River Valley
More people immigrating to Canada begin settling farther and farther in the west.
Many of these immigrants arrive in modern day Manitoba.
Population in Manitoba starts to grow.
English and French cultures are dominant. -
Canada becomes a Dominion
Canadia officially becomes a nation on this day.
Canada today is almost 148 years old at the making of this timeline.
Canada at this time had 4 provinces: Upper, and Lower Canada(Ontario and Quebec) as well as New Brunswick and Nova Scotia. -
Control of Rupert's Land transferred to Canadian Government
Rupert's land is tranferred to the Canadian government, without the consultation of those living in it.
This angers the Metis.
Causes the tension which starts the Red River Rebellion. -
Red River Rebellion
Rebellion was caused by the anger the Métis had against the government of Canada.
The Métis were lead by one of their own named Louis Riel, who would later become the "Batman" of his day, if you will. (another bad joke from Samuel - Will) -
Métis list of Rights and Freedoms
Métis write up a list of Rights and Freedoms that they would prefer to govern themselves with and by.
The list, or charter, protected the Metis from discrimination and would have gave them a fairer competition.
Canadian government dissagreed with the Métis about how they were to govern themselves. -
Manitoba Enters Confederation
After the Métis helped the Canadians push off the Fenian raids, they joined the Canadians, and Manitoba is entered into confederation.
The Metis, upon joining confederation, lost control of the public lands.
As a compromise, Macdonald offered 200000 hectares of land for the Metis, in recognition of their aboriginal title.
Manitoba's admission was passed by the House of Commons on May 2nd.
All supporters were forgiven except for Riel.
He was forced to flee to the Dakota Territory for 15 years. -
Execution of Thomas Scott
Thomas Scott is executed in Red River after making threats against Riel and being a horrible prisoner.
This puts the Métis in a difficult situation.
Scott's supporters basically made him a marytr and used his death to put pressure to government to take actions.
The death execution led to the Wolseley Expedition - a military force sent to confront Louis Riel and the Metis at the Red River Settlement, authorized by Sir John A. Macdonald.
