Project 57 Week 53: Métis resistances

During the late 1800s Métis communities twice resisted settlement of what became Manitoba. For generations these events have been erroneously referred to as rebellions, however at the time the land and people were not part of Canada and the Métis and their allies were resisting the colonization of their homes. 

The first resistance was over 1869 and 1870, as result of Canada purchasing Rupert’s Land from the Hudson’s Bay Company (Indigenous Peoples Atlas of Canada, “Red River Resistance”). Rupert’s Land was the nearly 4 million square kilometers of land around the Hudson Bay watershed and named by King Charles II in 1670, covering “northern Quebec, northern Ontario, much of the three prairie provinces, and most of southern Nunavut” and parts of several States (University of Winnipeg, “What is ‘Ruperts Land’?”). The area was home to many First Nations and Métis families, who were not consulted about the sale. Concerned about their title and rights, Métis people created the National Committee of Métis to stop the sale and land transfer until their rights and title was recognized (Ouellet and Hanson, n.d.). Under the leadership of Louis Riel, a provisional government was set up “with the goal of negotiating terms for entering into Confederation with Canada” (Ouellet and Hanson, n.d.). Rights such as maintaining Métis culture and customs, a legislature at Red River, and elected federal members of Parliament were some of the rights demanded by this government in the Métis Bill of Rights (Ouellet and Hanson, n.d.). However, the Canadian government sent in land surveyors without Métis consent. In 1870 “Orangeman and anti-Métis agitator Thomas Scott was executed by a Métis tribunal” and in retaliation the Canadian government sent in the military (Indigenous Peoples Atlas of Canada, “Red River Resistance” ; Ouellet and Hanson, n.d.). Riel was labelled a traitor and fled to the United States of America. Later that year, the Manitoba Act came into effect and Manitoba became the fifth province. Louis Riel and the Métis were not recognized as founders. Months after the Manitoba Act, the Canadian government sent in the Red River Expeditionary Force and Métis people experienced a “reign of terror” (Indigenous Peoples Atlas of Canada, “Red River Resistance”) under General Wolseley. Many Métis families fled their homes for the North-West Territories or the Dakota territory. 

In the late 1880s Métis families convinced Louis Riel to return to Manitoba, to assist with advocating for their rights. Specifically, Métis people were frustrated about land rights and title not being recognized and wanted better representation in the federal government (Indigenous Peoples Atlas of Canada, “1885 Northwest Resistance”). Petition to the Canadian government went unanswered until 1885 when the government stated it would not negotiate with Louis Riel, whom the Métis had selected as their leader (Indigenous Peoples Atlas of Canada, “1885 Northwest Resistance”). Two months of battles occurred primarily in Saskatchewan, at Duck Lake and Batoche. Métis and First Nations were led by Louis Riel and Gabriel Dumont, and won the battle at Duck Lake; it was the only battle they won (Indigenous Peoples Atlas of Canada, “1885 Northwest Resistance” ; Indigenous Saskatchewan Encyclopedia, “North-West Resistance”). Louis Riel was captured by the Canadian government and executed.  

Like the aftermath of the Red River Resistance, after being defeated at Batoche Métis families left their homes and fleeing into neighbouring provinces and States, sometimes joining Métis communities already established and sometimes creating new ones (Indigenous Peoples Atlas of Canada, “Aftermath of the 1885”). These events contributed to the Métis diaspora. 

To know more about the Métis resistances, please consider these resources:  

• Who are the Métis? (2016). Chelsea Vowel. Blog post.
• The North-west is our mother. (2019). Jean Teillet.
• Understanding our past, reclaiming our culture: Métis resiliency and connection to land in the face of colonialism. (2021). Monique Auger. Journal of Indigenous Social Development.
• Muddied water podcast, CBC Podcasts