Red River Rebellion (also known as Red River Resistance), a movement of national
self-determination by the MÉTIS of the RED RIVER COLONY in what is now Manitoba, 1869-70.
The settlement was after 1836 administered by the HUDSON'S BAY COMPANY and populated
mainly by people of mixed European and Indian blood. Slightly over half were francophone
(Métis), slightly under half anglophone ("country-born"). The inhabitants were continually in
conflict with the HBC, particularly over trading privileges. By the 1850s the company's rule
was under attack from Britain, Canada and the US, and by the 1860s it had agreed to
surrender its monopoly over the North-West, including the settlement. Arrangements were
negotiated to transfer sovereignty to Canada. During the lengthy bargaining period,
Canadian and American settlers moved in, and their pretensions led the mixed bloods to fear
for the preservation of their land rights and culture. Neither the British nor the Canadian
government made serious efforts to assuage these fears, negotiating the transfer of
RUPERT'S LAND as if no population existed there.
Riel, Louis and the Provisional Government
Riel's (centre), first provisional government, 1869 (courtesy Glenbow Archives/NA-1039-1).
Mixed-blood concerns were exacerbated by Canadian attempts to resurvey the settlement in
defiance of existing occupancy, and by the appointment of Canadian annexationist William
MCDOUGALL as the territory's first lieutenant-governor. In late 1869 Louis RIEL emerged as
the Métis spokesman. He recognized that his people must work with the more reticent
anglophone mixed-bloods to satisfy their grievances. While local HBC officials maintained a
studied neutrality, Métis opposition late in 1869 caused the Canadian government to refuse
to take over the territory on 1 Dec 1869 as had been agreed. This encouraged Riel's
insurgents, 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 in Dec proclaimed a provisional government,
soon headed by Riel. In Jan 1870 Riel gained the support of most of the country-born in a
second convention, which agreed to form a representative provisional government to
negotiate with Canada the terms of entry into CONFEDERATION.
Armed conflict persisted over the winter, but Riel seemed in control until he made the
colossal blunder of court-martialling and executing a prisoner, Ontario Orangeman Thomas
SCOTT. Although the Canadian authorities were still willing to deal with Riel, they later
seized upon the Scott case as a reason for refusing to grant an unconditional amnesty.
The legislative assembly of the provisional government organized the territory of
ASSINIBOIA in Mar 1870 and enacted a law code in Apr. Although the Canadian government
recognized the "rights" of the people of Red River in negotiations in Ottawa that spring, the
victory was limited. A new province called Manitoba was created by the MANITOBA ACT, its
territory severely limited to the old boundaries of the settlement, whereas the vast
North-West remained firmly in Canadian hands. Even within Manitoba, public lands were
controlled by the federal government. Mixed-blood land titles were guaranteed and 607,000
ha were reserved for the children of mixed-blood families, but these arrangements were
mismanaged by subsequent federal governments. The Métis nation did not flourish after 1870
in Manitoba. There was no amnesty for Louis Riel and his lieutenants, who fled just before
the arrival of British and Canadian troops in Aug 1870. Although the insurrection had
ostensibly won its major objectives - a distinct province with land and cultural rights
guaranteed - the victory was hollow. The Métis soon found themselves so disadvantaged in
Manitoba that they moved farther W, where they would again attempt to assert their
nationality under Riel in the NORTH-WEST REBELLION of 1885.
Author J.M. BUMSTED
self-determination by the MÉTIS of the RED RIVER COLONY in what is now Manitoba, 1869-70.
The settlement was after 1836 administered by the HUDSON'S BAY COMPANY and populated
mainly by people of mixed European and Indian blood. Slightly over half were francophone
(Métis), slightly under half anglophone ("country-born"). The inhabitants were continually in
conflict with the HBC, particularly over trading privileges. By the 1850s the company's rule
was under attack from Britain, Canada and the US, and by the 1860s it had agreed to
surrender its monopoly over the North-West, including the settlement. Arrangements were
negotiated to transfer sovereignty to Canada. During the lengthy bargaining period,
Canadian and American settlers moved in, and their pretensions led the mixed bloods to fear
for the preservation of their land rights and culture. Neither the British nor the Canadian
government made serious efforts to assuage these fears, negotiating the transfer of
RUPERT'S LAND as if no population existed there.
Riel, Louis and the Provisional Government
Riel's (centre), first provisional government, 1869 (courtesy Glenbow Archives/NA-1039-1).
Mixed-blood concerns were exacerbated by Canadian attempts to resurvey the settlement in
defiance of existing occupancy, and by the appointment of Canadian annexationist William
MCDOUGALL as the territory's first lieutenant-governor. In late 1869 Louis RIEL emerged as
the Métis spokesman. He recognized that his people must work with the more reticent
anglophone mixed-bloods to satisfy their grievances. While local HBC officials maintained a
studied neutrality, Métis opposition late in 1869 caused the Canadian government to refuse
to take over the territory on 1 Dec 1869 as had been agreed. This encouraged Riel's
insurgents, 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 in Dec proclaimed a provisional government,
soon headed by Riel. In Jan 1870 Riel gained the support of most of the country-born in a
second convention, which agreed to form a representative provisional government to
negotiate with Canada the terms of entry into CONFEDERATION.
Armed conflict persisted over the winter, but Riel seemed in control until he made the
colossal blunder of court-martialling and executing a prisoner, Ontario Orangeman Thomas
SCOTT. Although the Canadian authorities were still willing to deal with Riel, they later
seized upon the Scott case as a reason for refusing to grant an unconditional amnesty.
The legislative assembly of the provisional government organized the territory of
ASSINIBOIA in Mar 1870 and enacted a law code in Apr. Although the Canadian government
recognized the "rights" of the people of Red River in negotiations in Ottawa that spring, the
victory was limited. A new province called Manitoba was created by the MANITOBA ACT, its
territory severely limited to the old boundaries of the settlement, whereas the vast
North-West remained firmly in Canadian hands. Even within Manitoba, public lands were
controlled by the federal government. Mixed-blood land titles were guaranteed and 607,000
ha were reserved for the children of mixed-blood families, but these arrangements were
mismanaged by subsequent federal governments. The Métis nation did not flourish after 1870
in Manitoba. There was no amnesty for Louis Riel and his lieutenants, who fled just before
the arrival of British and Canadian troops in Aug 1870. Although the insurrection had
ostensibly won its major objectives - a distinct province with land and cultural rights
guaranteed - the victory was hollow. The Métis soon found themselves so disadvantaged in
Manitoba that they moved farther W, where they would again attempt to assert their
nationality under Riel in the NORTH-WEST REBELLION of 1885.
Author J.M. BUMSTED
NOTE:The Hudson's Bay Company (HBC), ( now American owned) chartered 2 May 1670, is the oldest
incorporated joint-stock merchandising company in the English-speaking world. Formerly
headquartered in London, England, and via an intermediary residence in Winnipeg, Manitoba, its head
offices are located in Toronto, Ontario. Among general retailers in Canada, HBC continues to lead its
next-closest competitor, Sears, in terms of annual sales. In 2003, HBC posted revenues of $7.4 billion
and reported close to 70 000 employees. The group retails under the following names: The Bay,
Zellers, Fields, and Home Outfitters.
........Back
incorporated joint-stock merchandising company in the English-speaking world. Formerly
headquartered in London, England, and via an intermediary residence in Winnipeg, Manitoba, its head
offices are located in Toronto, Ontario. Among general retailers in Canada, HBC continues to lead its
next-closest competitor, Sears, in terms of annual sales. In 2003, HBC posted revenues of $7.4 billion
and reported close to 70 000 employees. The group retails under the following names: The Bay,
Zellers, Fields, and Home Outfitters.
........Back
The Northwest Rebellion
Dumont, Gabriel
Gabriel Dumont was a man of great chivalry and military skill, superbly adapted to the presettlement
prairie life (courtesy Glenbow Archives).
As they grew, several of the latter communities sought to secure clear land titles from the Canadian
government. Lieutenant-Governor Alexander MORRIS thought in 1880 that the claimants' case was
clear: "They will, of course, be recognized as possessors of the soil and confirmed by the Government
in their holdings." He urged that Métis still depending on the buffalo hunt have land assigned to them
as that resource failed. The government ignored Métis concerns while at the same time negotiating
the major native treaties and pre-empting land for RAILWAYS.In deep frustration, the Saskatchewan
Métis took up arms under Riel and Gabriel DUMONT in the NORTH-WEST REBELLION of 1885.
Métis defeat at Batoche and the execution of Riel set off a second dispersal, particularly to Alberta,
and a renewed weakening of their political influence and cohesiveness. Sir John A. MACDONALD in
1885 viewed them as without distinct standing: "If they are Indians, they go with the tribe; if they are
half-breeds they are whites." Where Métis individuals did receive land allowances (or money
equivalents), they usually were granted them in paper scrip - transferable certificates which
unscrupulous speculators often pressured them to sell cheaply on the spot (see INDIAN TREATIES).
The"scrip hunters" who followed the Treaty No 8 Half-Breed Commission in 1900 as it made its awards
to Métis in the Dene settlements bought up many $240 scrip certificates for cash amounts of $70 to
$130.
From 1885into the mid-1900s poverty, demoralization and the opprobrium commonly attached to being
"halfbreed" led many people of native descent to deny or suppress that part of their heritage if they
could. In 1896 Father Albert LACOMBE, concerned for Métis interests, founded St-Paul-des-Métis
northeast of Edmonton on land furnished by the government. For financial and other reasons, the
colony failed as a formal entity by 1908, and settlers from Québec began to dominate the area.
Dumont, Gabriel
Gabriel Dumont was a man of great chivalry and military skill, superbly adapted to the presettlement
prairie life (courtesy Glenbow Archives).
As they grew, several of the latter communities sought to secure clear land titles from the Canadian
government. Lieutenant-Governor Alexander MORRIS thought in 1880 that the claimants' case was
clear: "They will, of course, be recognized as possessors of the soil and confirmed by the Government
in their holdings." He urged that Métis still depending on the buffalo hunt have land assigned to them
as that resource failed. The government ignored Métis concerns while at the same time negotiating
the major native treaties and pre-empting land for RAILWAYS.In deep frustration, the Saskatchewan
Métis took up arms under Riel and Gabriel DUMONT in the NORTH-WEST REBELLION of 1885.
Métis defeat at Batoche and the execution of Riel set off a second dispersal, particularly to Alberta,
and a renewed weakening of their political influence and cohesiveness. Sir John A. MACDONALD in
1885 viewed them as without distinct standing: "If they are Indians, they go with the tribe; if they are
half-breeds they are whites." Where Métis individuals did receive land allowances (or money
equivalents), they usually were granted them in paper scrip - transferable certificates which
unscrupulous speculators often pressured them to sell cheaply on the spot (see INDIAN TREATIES).
The"scrip hunters" who followed the Treaty No 8 Half-Breed Commission in 1900 as it made its awards
to Métis in the Dene settlements bought up many $240 scrip certificates for cash amounts of $70 to
$130.
From 1885into the mid-1900s poverty, demoralization and the opprobrium commonly attached to being
"halfbreed" led many people of native descent to deny or suppress that part of their heritage if they
could. In 1896 Father Albert LACOMBE, concerned for Métis interests, founded St-Paul-des-Métis
northeast of Edmonton on land furnished by the government. For financial and other reasons, the
colony failed as a formal entity by 1908, and settlers from Québec began to dominate the area.
The Métis Settlements
Some other developments after 1900 were more positive, however. In 1909 the Union nationale
métisse St-Joseph de Manitoba, founded by former associates of Riel and others, began to retrieve
from Métis documents and memories their own history of the events of 1869-70 and 1885, resulting in
A. H. de Tremaudan's History of the Métis Nation in Western Canada (1936). The 1920s and 1930ssaw
the rise of new leaders - notably James Patrick (Jim) BRADY and Malcolm NORRIS - who, as prairie
socialist activists built a new political and organizational base to defend their people's interests. Many
Métis and ex-treaty Indians had been squatters on crown lands in north-central Alberta. Threatened
by a federal plan to place these lands under provincial jurisdiction, Joseph Dion and others organized
petitions and delegations to the Alberta government to seek land title for the squatters.
After Brady and Norris joined the movement in 1932, the first of several provincial organizations was
founded - the Métis Association of Alberta, open to all persons of native ancestry. Its efforts led to the
appointment of the Ewing Commission to "make enquiry into the condition of the Half-breed
population of Alberta" 1934-36. Despite reverses, the association eventually secured land for MÉTIS
SETTLEMENTS and passage of the Métis Betterment Act in 1938. In the same year the Saskatchewan
Métis Society (later the Association of Métis and Non-Status Indians of Saskatchewan) was founded.
Some other developments after 1900 were more positive, however. In 1909 the Union nationale
métisse St-Joseph de Manitoba, founded by former associates of Riel and others, began to retrieve
from Métis documents and memories their own history of the events of 1869-70 and 1885, resulting in
A. H. de Tremaudan's History of the Métis Nation in Western Canada (1936). The 1920s and 1930ssaw
the rise of new leaders - notably James Patrick (Jim) BRADY and Malcolm NORRIS - who, as prairie
socialist activists built a new political and organizational base to defend their people's interests. Many
Métis and ex-treaty Indians had been squatters on crown lands in north-central Alberta. Threatened
by a federal plan to place these lands under provincial jurisdiction, Joseph Dion and others organized
petitions and delegations to the Alberta government to seek land title for the squatters.
After Brady and Norris joined the movement in 1932, the first of several provincial organizations was
founded - the Métis Association of Alberta, open to all persons of native ancestry. Its efforts led to the
appointment of the Ewing Commission to "make enquiry into the condition of the Half-breed
population of Alberta" 1934-36. Despite reverses, the association eventually secured land for MÉTIS
SETTLEMENTS and passage of the Métis Betterment Act in 1938. In the same year the Saskatchewan
Métis Society (later the Association of Métis and Non-Status Indians of Saskatchewan) was founded.
Métis Settlements located across the northern part of Alberta are comprised of the settlements of
Paddle Prairie, Peavine, Gift Lake, East Prairie, Buffalo Lake, Kikino, Elizabeth and Fishing Lake. These
8 settlements form the only constitutionally protected MÉTIS land base in Canada. They comprise 505
102 ha, much of it covered by forest, pasture and farmland.
History
The Métis FIRST NATIONS are the descendants of European fur traders and Indian women who
emerged as a distinct group on the Prairies towards the early part of the 19th century. Following the
NORTHWEST REBELLION of 1885, many Métis moved to the north and west. After a period of political
activism among landless Métis in Alberta during the Depression, the provincial government passed
the Métis Population Betterment Act in 1938. Lands were set aside for Métis Settlement Associations,
though 4 of the settlements (Touchwood, Marlboro, Cold Lake and Wolf Lake) were later rescinded by
order of the Alberta government. A distinct Métis culture combining Indian and Euro-Canadian values
and modes of expression is practised in the Métis settlements. For example, jigging, a favourite form
of dance, mixes the reels of Scotland and France with the chicken dance of the Cree. A distinct Métis
language called MICHIF (combining Cree, French and English words) is still spoken alongside English.
Most residents of Métis settlements retain Indian spiritual beliefs and customs.
Painting by: Métis Artist: Derrick Whiteskycloud
Paddle Prairie, Peavine, Gift Lake, East Prairie, Buffalo Lake, Kikino, Elizabeth and Fishing Lake. These
8 settlements form the only constitutionally protected MÉTIS land base in Canada. They comprise 505
102 ha, much of it covered by forest, pasture and farmland.
History
The Métis FIRST NATIONS are the descendants of European fur traders and Indian women who
emerged as a distinct group on the Prairies towards the early part of the 19th century. Following the
NORTHWEST REBELLION of 1885, many Métis moved to the north and west. After a period of political
activism among landless Métis in Alberta during the Depression, the provincial government passed
the Métis Population Betterment Act in 1938. Lands were set aside for Métis Settlement Associations,
though 4 of the settlements (Touchwood, Marlboro, Cold Lake and Wolf Lake) were later rescinded by
order of the Alberta government. A distinct Métis culture combining Indian and Euro-Canadian values
and modes of expression is practised in the Métis settlements. For example, jigging, a favourite form
of dance, mixes the reels of Scotland and France with the chicken dance of the Cree. A distinct Métis
language called MICHIF (combining Cree, French and English words) is still spoken alongside English.
Most residents of Métis settlements retain Indian spiritual beliefs and customs.
Painting by: Métis Artist: Derrick Whiteskycloud
Education
Education in most of the settlements is provided by the Northland School Division of the province's
Department of Education. The settlements emphasize the need to make their children's schools
responsive to the cultural values and history of the Métis people.
Economy
Employment in the settlements is generated by commercial fishing, logging, farming, ranching and
energy projects. As they did in the past the Métis people continue to emphasize the economic
development of their land. A mixed economy combines traditional economic activities and new
industrial and commercial ventures.
Métis Betterment Acts
The later 1955 and 1970 Métis Betterment Acts provided for Settlement Associations for each of the 8
communities and laid the foundation for SELF-GOVERNMENT. In each settlement, councils of 5
members were elected by settlement members (as they are now) to deal with matters affecting the
settlements. In 1975 the Alberta Federation of Métis Settlement Associations was officially established
to act as the political voice of the settlements and to pursue such goals as land security, local
self-government and long-term economic self-reliance.
Education in most of the settlements is provided by the Northland School Division of the province's
Department of Education. The settlements emphasize the need to make their children's schools
responsive to the cultural values and history of the Métis people.
Economy
Employment in the settlements is generated by commercial fishing, logging, farming, ranching and
energy projects. As they did in the past the Métis people continue to emphasize the economic
development of their land. A mixed economy combines traditional economic activities and new
industrial and commercial ventures.
Métis Betterment Acts
The later 1955 and 1970 Métis Betterment Acts provided for Settlement Associations for each of the 8
communities and laid the foundation for SELF-GOVERNMENT. In each settlement, councils of 5
members were elected by settlement members (as they are now) to deal with matters affecting the
settlements. In 1975 the Alberta Federation of Métis Settlement Associations was officially established
to act as the political voice of the settlements and to pursue such goals as land security, local
self-government and long-term economic self-reliance.
Métis Settlement Act
In 1985 the Alberta government passed what was known as Motion18, a resolution committing the
province to transfer title of the settlements to the Métis people and to provide constitutional
protection of the lands by means of an amendment to the Alberta Act. This paved the way for the
historic 1989 Alberta Settlements Accord, which passed into legislation with the 1990 Métis Settlement
Act. Replacing the previous Métis Betterment Acts, the Métis Settlements Act provides for the legal
transfer of land title to the Métis people, local municipal and traditional style self-government, and
establishes 8 settlement corporations and the Métis Settlements General Council as legal entities.
The new Act establishes the Métis Settlements Appeals Tribunal, which provides a dispute resolution
mechanism dealing with membership, land use and resource matters on settlements. Also part of the
Act is the Subsurface Resources Co-Management Agreement, an agreement whereby the settlements
and the province jointly manage oil, gas and other subsurface resources on the settlements.
Significantly, the constitution of Alberta was amended in 1990 to recognize and protect the Métis
settlements, interest in their land and resources.
Author RENÉ R. GADACZ
In 1985 the Alberta government passed what was known as Motion18, a resolution committing the
province to transfer title of the settlements to the Métis people and to provide constitutional
protection of the lands by means of an amendment to the Alberta Act. This paved the way for the
historic 1989 Alberta Settlements Accord, which passed into legislation with the 1990 Métis Settlement
Act. Replacing the previous Métis Betterment Acts, the Métis Settlements Act provides for the legal
transfer of land title to the Métis people, local municipal and traditional style self-government, and
establishes 8 settlement corporations and the Métis Settlements General Council as legal entities.
The new Act establishes the Métis Settlements Appeals Tribunal, which provides a dispute resolution
mechanism dealing with membership, land use and resource matters on settlements. Also part of the
Act is the Subsurface Resources Co-Management Agreement, an agreement whereby the settlements
and the province jointly manage oil, gas and other subsurface resources on the settlements.
Significantly, the constitution of Alberta was amended in 1990 to recognize and protect the Métis
settlements, interest in their land and resources.
Author RENÉ R. GADACZ
| Part II |
