Transcript Metis living in the Red River came together as a solid

The Metis…
Red River
Metis
METIS LIVING IN THE RED RIVER CAME
TOGETHER AS A SOLID COMMUNITY WITH A
SHARED IDENTITY.
AN EMERGING IDENTITY IN THE WEST
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Metis considered themselves:
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citizens of a Nation
distinct from the Europeans, Canadiens and First Nations.
(present day) Manitoba Winnipeg had the largest
Francophone Metis community.
Majority were Francophone Metis, and Catholic.
LANGUAGE - Metis raised by parents of First Nations and
European decent, thus knew several languages (French,
English and one or more First Nations languages). Metis
at Red River spoke Michif.
DIFFERENT GROUPS ARE LIVING NEAR RED
RIVER
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Country born Metis =
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children of First Nations women
and British Traders from HB.
Protestant
Cree Anishinabe and First
Nations
Roman Catholic Missionaries
arriving in 1818 built churches
and schools.
Canadiens
British employees of HBC
Red River became the center of
Francophone Metis Communities.
METIS –TH BUFFALO HUNTERS
The Metis develop a unique
economy – fur trade/hunting
buffalo
(They are VERY important
in the fur trade).
 Employed at every trading post.
 They knew two or more
languages and thus acted as
interpreters. They were trappers,
traders, freighters and therefore
worked in all aspects of trade.
 Used meat to make pemmican:
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(mix meat with fat/berries).
Metis sell it at the trading
posts.
Is important food source. Metis
don’t travel without it, could
stay good for years.
CONFLICT AT THE RED RIVER
The Scottish Nobleman
Lord Selkirk in the early
1800 ‘s purchased a
huge piece of land from
HBC at the Red River.
 Dozens of families from
Scotland come in,
hoping to creating a
farming community.
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METIS REACTION TO THE COLONISTS
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The Metis had no paper stating:
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that they owned the land they had been farming on for over
100 years.
concerned that their life would be run by British Culture of
the colonists.
The Nor Westers were allies of Metis also opposed the
colonists. The Nor Westers were competing for control
over the fur trade. They felt that the HBC sent Lord
Selkirk and the colonists to disrupt the trade.
CONFLICT OVER RESOURCES
As the colonists prepared the
land to grow their first crops
they relied on the buffalo for
food.
 The governor of the colony
worried that his colonists would
starve to death .
 In 1814, he banned the Metis
from exporting meat, fish and
vegetables from Red River. It
was called Pemmican
Proclamation.
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METIS AND NOR WESTERS WERE OUTRAGED
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The _________ were an important resource to the
identity and economy of the Metis.
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The Metis were upset and stole equipment from
the colonists. Locust infestation occurred making
matters worse… So in 1815, many colonists
loaded their belongings into canoes and left.
BATTLE OF SEVEN OAKS
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Tensions were high among remaining colonists and
Metis.
Battle breaks out between remaining colonists and
Metis
The 2 groups faced each other by the grove of Oak trees
beside the Red River. A shot ranged out… A Metis and
21 colonists lay dead.
The Battle of 7 Oaks was the first time the Metis stood
up as a united group against Canadian government.
Country born Metis joined with Francophone Metis.
This event marked the beginning of the Metis Nation
MIGRATION FURTHER WEST
1821…HBC took over its rival, the North West
company. This meant that the Red River
colonists and land belonged to the British.
 An important business for the Red River Metis
was the buffalo Robe trade. In the 1840’s
increase demand for buffalo hide…It was the
thickest during the coldest months. They would
make blankets and coats.
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METIS AND FAMILIES SPENT WINTERS ON THE
PLAINS CLOSE TO THE HERDS. AS THE BUFFALO
BEGAN TO DIE OUT, HUNTERS TRAVELLED VERY
FAR FROM RED RIVER COLONY TO FIND THEM.
MANY FAMILIES WERE AWAY FROM THEIR
HOMES AND FARMS FOR MOST OF THE YEARS.
THEY MIGRATED OR MOVED WEST AND SET UP
COMMUNITIES WHICH IS NOW SASKATCHEWAN
AND ST. ALBERT. CATHOLIC MISSIONARIES THAT
RAN CHURCHES, SCHOOLS ALSO MOVED THERE.
THESE WERE SOME OF THE EARLIEST
FRANCOPHONE COMMUNITIES IN WESTERN
CANADA.
RED RIVER RESISTANCE, 1869
The Red River Metis felt that
Rupert’s land belonged to
them. They had been living
there for over 100 years.
 They relied on farming,
trapping animals and
hunting buffalo in this vast
territory. The govt. of Canada
was beginning to see it as a
good place to send more
European Colonists.
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CANADA TAKES AN INTEREST IN THE WEST.
The vast land of Rupert’s Land was left to the
Aboriginal people who lived there.
 In 1857, The Canadian government sent scientific
teams to assess the land in the West. They
learned about the climate and resources of the
area. The land was well suited for farming. The
land had a wealth of natural resources and
suddenly the west became appealing.
 Farm land in Ontario was becoming scarce and
they were looking else where. As a result, they felt
that Rupert’s Land should join Canada.
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POINTS OF VIEW…PAGE 181… PLEASE READ
THE POINTS OF VIEW.
RUPERT’S LAND JOINS CANADA
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By the 1860’s:
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the Red River Colony was
trading with Americans. It
was growing steadily.
British Colonists in Red River
and people in Ontario began
to worry that if Canada didn’t
quickly claim Rupert’s land,
the United States would.
In 1869, Canada purchased
the territory from the HBC for
1.5 million dollars.
FEARS OF ASSIMILIATION
Canada claimed Rupert’s Land.
 The First Nations and Metis were worried about
their future. They had no idea about the sale of the
land nor did they have a say in that deal.
 They were worried about assimilation where a
culture is absorbed into another culture and
whereby they would have to learn the customs and
traditions of the other culture. They were worried
thatt hey would be forced to give up their way of
life. They had many questions.
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RED RIVER RESISTANCE OF 1869
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Canada was ready to take over Rupert’s Land on
December 1, 1869….before this though the federal govt.
sent surveyors to Red River. Their job was to prepare the
land for the expected rush of farming colonists. The
govt. did not ward the local First Nations and Metis.
When the surveyors arrived, measuring lots beside the
rivers the First Nations and Metis were surprised. They
asked them to explain but they didn’t understand them
as they only spoke english. So they asked one of their
fellow villagers, named Louis Riel who spoke English,
French and Cree to interpret. They bought themselves
some time as the knew the surveyors would be back.
THE METIS WERE USED TO GOVERNING
THEMSELVES
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They set up a National Committee to protect their
right to the land. Louis Riel became an important
member of the committee. He was a devout
Catholic. In December the Metis took control of
Fort Garry a major fur trade center in Manitoba.
They established a Metis provisional Government.
They chose Louis Riel a 25 year old Metis who was
passionate about his people’s rights to be
president.
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Youtube: Quebec History 21 - Act of Union and
Louis Riel
METIS BILL OF RIGHTS
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The Metis wanted to negotiate terms so they drew up a Bill of
Rights to present to the govt. of Canada (to protect the interests
of the peoples already living there).
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Either French or English would be used in the legislature. Govt.
Documents would be printed in both languages.
Laws for the new province would be decided by the residents.
The Metis would keep the rights to their land.
Local officials would be elected by the local people.
The federal govt. would negotiate treaties with the First Nations living
there.
THE MANITOBA ACT : THE CREATION OF
MANITOBA (1870)
Riel was a major influence on the Manitoba Act
(it was based on his list of rights for the Métis).
 The victory for the Métis was the guarantee that
they would receive:
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The Manitoba Act guaranteed:
title for the lands they already farmed and 1.4 million
acres of farmland for their children
 Language rights (both French and English used in
government)
 Religious rights - the right to Catholic schools (for the
French) and Protestant schools (for the English).
 and Manitoba having representatives in the House of
Commons and the Senate
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THE MANITOBA ACT : THE CREATION OF
MANITOBA (1870)
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The Canadian government
PROMISED to grant pardon to any
Métis involved in the Red River
Resistance, but in the end, a
pardon was not included in the
Manitoba Act. (Another broken
promise...)
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Riel was exiled (banished) from
Canada for 5 years. The
government also agreed not to put
him on trial for the death of
Thomas Scott. Riel was elected to
the Canadian parliament three
times while in exile, but never
took his seat. He returned to
Canada in 1885.
BUT THERE WERE PROBLEMS IN RED RIVER
WHILE LOUIS RIEL IS GONE... (1870-1885)
Soldiers who are sent to Manitoba to
stabilize the situation, take their anger out
on the Métis. Several Métis are beaten,
jailed and killed by the Canadians (which
increases tensions).
 There were still disputes over land
 No treaties between the First Nations and
the Canadian government were signed
 The buffalo were disappearing
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Disappearing buffalo
(due to over-hunting).
important were the buffalo to the way of life of the
Métis and First Nations?
PROBLEMS CONTINUE...
• The buffalo were disappearing.
 • The land was being surveyed into large
blocks.
 • They did not have legal title to their lands.
 • They did not have representation in the
Canadian government.
 • The new railroads were bringing more and
more settlers (Métis fear assimilation).
 The Métis and First Nations sent at least 15
petitions to Ottawa but they were all ignored...
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The Metis are ANGRY and IMPATIENT...
SOUND FAMILIAR?
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hint: During the R____ R______ R____________
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Youtube: History of Quebec 22 – Depression and the
Métis
THE NORTHWEST RESISTANCE OF 1885
(THE SECOND MÉTIS UPRISING)
(VIDEO)
THE RETURN OF RIEL :
THE NORTHWEST RESISTANCE
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Riel returns from exile at the request of the Métis.
They set up their own government at the community of
Batoche.
They send a Bill of rights to Ottawa demanding land
rights, and food rations (because many First Nations are
starving to death as there are very few buffalo).
The battle was violent, but brief:
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At Duck Lake - The Métis defeat a group of North West
mounted Police.
At Frog Lake - the Métis kill 9 and capture a Police Post.
The Federal government sends soldiers on the new
railway, and the battle ends after 3 days. The Métis
must surrender because they have run out of bullets.
Youtube – Quebec History 23 – Métis Northwest
Resistance
THE OUTCOME OF THE NORTHWEST RESISTANCE
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The resistance is over. During the battle:
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53 soldiers from Ontario are killed, and 118 were injured.
35 First Nations and Métis were killed
Louis Riel surrenders and is charged with treason (the
betrayal of one’s country).
John A Macdonald is conflicted about wether or not to save
Riel, but in the end decides not to help him in order to please
Ontario (for their electorial votes)
Youtube – Quebec History 24 – Louis Riel is Hanged
He is found guilty and sentenced to hanging. Riel’s
execution confirms to the Canadiens that the Confederation
is not an equal “partnership”, but that it is unequal and
unfair.
Louis Riel – Historica Minute
THE OUTCOME OF THE NORTHWEST RESISTANCE
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Once the uprising was over, the govt responded to some of
the complaints that caused it...
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The govt began giving out certificates to land rights, but the Métis
remember how difficult it was to get rights (to the land they’ve
been farming for 100 years) so they sell land to the highest
bidder, and end up with a fraction of the value of it.
Aboriginal people are punished for being involved int he
resistance (8 hanged, rest sent to prison)
Whole communities were punished for the actions of the few and
their food rations were cut off.
First Nations people needed to special permission to leave their
reserves.
ALL the above restrictions allowed more room for European
farmers, and for the Canadian Pacific Railway to expand.
The govt of Canada thus gain control of the West.
Do you feel this was a positive outcome for people who
wanted equal rights but who were ignored?????
GABRIEL DUMONT
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Dumont was the military
general for the Métis.
He was a buffalo hunter
and spoke over six
languages, a guide and
an interpreter. He was
also famed for his
drinking and gambling.
“Louis Riel was the
heart of the Métis
people, and Dumont
was their sword”