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Hudson's Bay Company Departs
The colony was orchestrated by the Hudson's Bay Company after 1836 and populated mainly by francophone and anglophone Métis people. In the 1850's, the company's rule was under attack by Canada, U.S.A. and Britain and by the 60's, it surrendered its possession over Rupert's Land and The North-Western Territory. -
Lieutenant-Governor McDougall
28th September 1869 was the day that William McDougall was named lieutenant-governor of Rupert's Land and the North-Western Territory, shortly after he had made the decision of selling Rupert's Land to the Confederation (The Dominion of Canada). He lost this title after Manitoba became a province (12th May 1870). -
The National Committee of the Métis
The National Committee of the Métis was brought together in a hope to minimize the independent actions of the federal authorities involving the management of the territory of the Red River Colony. William McDougall was restricted access in this committee as he was a leader in the sale of Rupert's to the Confederation. John Bruce was elected as the president and Louis Riel as secretary of the committee. -
The Sale of Rupert's Land
The Hudson's Bay Company surrendered its charter under its letters patent to the British Crown, which was authorized to accept the surrender by the Rupert's Land Act. By order-in-council dated June 23, 1870, the British government admitted the territory to Canada. The company received £300,000 cash from Canada, which would be about 9,497,299 CAD in 2019. -
The Red River Rebellion
The 1869-1870 (Exact date unknown, but it started late November/early December) uprising formed because of the transfer of Rupert's Land to Canada was led by Louis Riel who was also named president of the Métis National Committee on December 27, 1869. The Rebellion consisted mostly of Métis farmers and hunters that occupied a portion of Rupert's Land and feared for their land and culture. -
Thomas Scott Executed
Thomas Scott was convicted of treason and other law-breaking activities. He was put on trial and sentenced to death by the provisional government led by Louis Riel. On 4 March 1870, he was executed at approximately one o'clock by the firing death squad. -
The Manitoba Act
On May 12, 1870, The Canadian Parliament passed The Manitoba and used a tiny portion of Rupert's Land (around 35000 sq. km) to create the province. The Manitoba Act stated that Métis lands would be protected but all other lands were the property of the Dominion of Canada. It also gave constitutional guarantees for the French language and publicly funded Roman Catholic schools. -
The 5th Province
Louis Riel's provisional government comes to terms with Ottawa and Manitoba joins confederation making it Canada's 5th province even though the government wanted it to join as a territory. -
The Wolseley Expedition
The Wolseley expedition was a military force sent to Manitoba authorized by John A. MacDonald and under the command of Colonel Garnet Wolseley with over 1200 militiamen. The expedition was sent to confront Louis Riel and when it arrived at Fort Garry on August 24th, 1870, they found the fort deserted as Riel had quickly reacted to their approach and fled. This resulted in the end of the RRR.
