-
Period: to
Another Riel Exile
Louis Riel was credited with leading negotiations that led in 1870 to the establishment of Manitoba as Canada's fifth province. But bad feelings from the rebellion, fueled by a wave of white settlers, ridded of the government pledge to give the Métis a 1.4-million-acre land base. Riel, who eventually moved to the U.S., in 1875 was granted an official pardon for his role in the rebellion on condition he remains in exile for another five years. -
"Laws of the St. Laurent"
In 1873, the Métis of St. Laurent formalized the laws of the prairie into a written document, known as the Laws of St. Laurent. These laws covered all aspects of Métis life in the district and guidelines for both the hunting and the preservation of the remaining buffalo herds.
A petition that steps be taken immediately to preserve the remaining buffalo as a food supply for the Aboriginal people was sent to the federal government, but no action was taken, and the government showed little concern. -
The Indian Department's Budget
As the Canadian Pacific Railway was being built, the cost of it rose between 1882 and 1883. This led the government to slash the budget of it's Indian Department. This forced a lot of Natives to starve, not being given the promising guarantees of becoming self-sustainable farmers. They had to rely on food handouts from the government. The government made it clear that receiving good was conditional on not causing trouble, the system becoming a form of social control. -
Louis Riel Returns
After being exiled to the United States for being responsible for the Red River Rebellion, Louis Riel returned to Canada in 1884. The Natives' growing impatience with the federal government was amplified into a rebellious mindset by Riel's presence. Riel urged all dissatisfied people in the North-West to unite and press their case on Prime Minister John A. Macdonald's Conservative government, which had failed to address their grievances. -
The Rebels' Prosecutions
The government went ahead to arrest many people involved with the Northwest Rebellion on the lesser charge of treason-felony. For most cases, these people were either pardoned or sentenced to short prison time. The government viewed the Native people with a very paternalistic perspective, considering them as only being influenced and led wrongly by Riel rather than people driven to action from mistreatment. -
A Provisional Government
After the Métis passed their "Revolutionary Bill of Rights" asserting Métis rights of possession to their farms, and other demands, an armed force of Métis formed a provisional government. They seized the parish church at Batoche, and demanded the surrender of the nearby Hudson's Bay Company post at Fort Carlton. Riel was named the president of the rebel government, and famed Métis hunter and tactician Gabriel Dumont was installed as the military commander. -
Battle of Duck Lake
A short battle between Canadian government NWMP forces along with armed volunteers and the newly established Provisional Government of Métis militia by Duck Lake. The battle lasted approximately thirty minutes, costing twelve dead NWMP officers and 25 injured ones. Five Métis and one Aboriginal warrior died. The police and volunteers retreated to Fort Carlton, while the Métis returned to Batoche -
Battle of Fish Creek
A major Métis victory over the Canadian forces attempting to quell Louis Riel's North-West Rebellion. Although the reversal was not decisive enough to alter the ultimate outcome of the conflict, it was convincing enough to persuade Major General Frederick Middleton to temporarily halt his advance on Batoche, where the Métis would later make their final stand. -
Battle of Botache
The Battle of Batoche was the decisive battle of the North-West Rebellion. Fought from 9 May to 12 May 1885 at the ad hoc Provisional Government of Saskatchewan capital of Batoche, the greater numbers and superior firepower of Middleton's force could not be successfully countered by the Métis (as had happened at Fish Creek), and the town was eventually captured. The defeat of the Métis led to the surrender of Louis Riel on 15 May and the collapse of the Provisional Government. -
Execution of Louis Riel
After his arrest, Riel was charged with high treason— taking up arms against the Canadian Government. The trial took place in July, three lawyers defending Riel as not guilty on the grounds of his "insanity". Riel refused this possible scapegoat, he pleaded his case and that of his people, the Métis, determined to show the mistreatment they'd faced. He was found guilty of high treason. Though the jury and judge recommended clemency, the government did not consider, Riel being hanged in November.
