Chapter 4

Chapter 4Chapter 4

Aboriginal Peoples In The New Aboriginal Peoples In The New Country Of CanadaCountry Of Canada

What They Ate:What They Ate:

The Aboriginals ate food called Pemmican.Pemmican is food made by dried bison

meat and fruit or berries that were dried as well.

They ate bison, the women would cut the skin and dried the meat of the bison.

Today we brought some dried fruit. We brought dried mango and apricot.

We will pass it out later.

Important MeetingImportant Meeting

On September 24, 1907 a very important meeting was at St Peter’s reserve near Selkirk, Manitoba.

The Canadian government was giving $90 to any landowner who would sell his land and transfer to a new place.

The owners were voting for the governments offer, but the meeting did not go smoothly.

(Continued)(Continued)

Government officials that attended only spoke English.

Many of the voters spoke only Cree or Ojibwa.

Even though there was a translator not everyone could hear or understand what was being said.

The VoteThe Vote

When the government officials counted the vote, they said 107 owners wanted to sell their land.

97 did not want to sell their land.An ex-chief named William Asham did

not agree.He thought the vote was unfair.The government bought the land

anyway.

The TreatyThe Treaty

The People of Selkirk lived on the reserve since 1871.

They signed a treaty in 1871 called Treaty One.

Treaties were meant to move First Nations to reserves.

Treaty OneTreaty One

This is a picture of the Treaty called

Treaty One

The People Of St Peter’sThe People Of St Peter’s

The people of St Peter’s settled in well.

By 1907, the people there were growing crops on hundreds of hectares of fine farmland.

In spite of this, they lost their land.The St Peter’s residents were moved

to a new reserve that’s now named Peguis that was 200 km away.


When they arrived at the reserve, all they found was swampy, rocky land that was not good for farming.

The St Peter’s people were not the only ones whose lives changed so much in a short time.

In the 1850’s, about 35 000 First Nations and Métis peoples lived in the West.

For many of them, their troubles began in 1857.

Palliser And His TeamPalliser And His Team

In 1857, the British government hired an Irish explorer named John Palliser to survey the Canadian West.

In the days before the railroad, crossing the West was difficult and dangerous.

Palliser and his team travelled West of Lake Superior along old fur trade routes.


They crossed Prairies and found passes through the Rocky Mountains.

They ended their journey three years later in British Columbia’s Okanagan Valley.

During that time they met many Aboriginal Peoples and Palliser found that much of the Prairies were ideal for farming.


Palliser learned that people had been living in the big stretch of land between Red River and British Columbia for a very long time.

He also found out that there were minerals in the West.

Palliser’s trip paved the way for people to come in the West.


In 1872, Parliament passed the Dominion Lands Act.

This act was meant to bring people to the west by giving land to settlers for a low price.

In a few years a trickle of people became a flood of people.

These people call themselves homesteaders.

The CPRThe CPR

Many Aboriginal peoples moved farther west as the homesteaders arrived.

In 1880’s, the new Canadian Pacific Railway crossed thousands of kilometres of Aboriginal land.

It carried even greater numbers of people westward.

The Problems For The The Problems For The Aboriginal PeoplesAboriginal Peoples

Homesteaders and the railroad.Fashions had changed in the middle of

the 1800’s.The fur trade was coming to the end.Animals had been overhunted.Fur farms, where animals valued for

their pelts were raised, began to appear.


As the fur trade dropped off, a way of life for thousands of Métis and First Nations peoples also.

The worst problem was that most bison herds disappeared too because of overhunting. The Aboriginals of the Prairies needed Bison to live.

CompetingCompeting

As they competed for fewer and fewer resources, fighting even broke out among Blackfoot, Cree, Assiniboine and Métis.

This was a hard time for the Aboriginal peoples.

They had to find ways to get used to the changes in their lives.

What a treaty does What a treaty does

What a treaty does:Nations make treaties to trade

goods,Settle differences,End wars,Also to decide land ownership.

Making TreatiesMaking Treaties

Aboriginals had been making treaties with one another for centuries before the Europeans arrived.

One treaty led to the creation of the Iroquois Confederacy.

Following the Seven Year’s War, King George set out a plan for organizing Britain’s new lands.


The Royal Proclamation of 1763 said the large parts of the west would be reserved for the aboriginal peoples.

The proclamation became the basis for treaties between Britain and the first nations in its North Americans territories.


After the Canadian government bought Rupert’s Land from the Hudson’s Bay Company, thousands of people went to the region.

The Aboriginal peoples who already lived there worried they would lose everything to the new settlers.

Some thought that treaties with the Canadian government would protect some of their land.


Canada’s government was interested in the West as well.

It wanted to build many things:Both of the Prime Ministers, John A

MacDonald and Alexander Mackenzie wanted to bargain with the Aboriginals.

They both did not like the United States government.


The Americans had the army force Aboriginal peoples from their land.

Between 1871 and 1921, the government of Canada signed eleven treaties with the Aboriginal peoples of the West.

These are called the number treaties.Seven of them were made in the 1870s.Through these treaties the government

agreed to provide:


First Nations land reserves, services, supplies.

In return, the First Nations would sign over lots of their lands to the government.

To the Aboriginal people the idea that people could buy and own the land was very strange.

They saw themselves as caretakers rather


then the owners of the land.The people of European background

relieved that the land could be bought and sold.

What Some TreatiesWhat Some TreatiesDidDid

This difference led to misunderstanding when treaties were made.

Many Aboriginals thought their traditional hunting grounds were theirs to use after signing treaties but the Canadian government didn’t think so.

Treaties were often unfair.Aboriginal peoples gave up huge

territories for smaller reserves.

Things That Happened Things That Happened Because Of TreatiesBecause Of Treaties

First Nations, mostly the Cree didn’t sign treaties at first.

When they knew treaties were happening the treaties were happening anyway.

They asked for schools for their children, farm supplies, and equipment.

Ojibwa PeopleOjibwa People

Ojibwa people tried to find work in the railway, telegraphic, and mining industries.

All of them did what they could to go with a changing life without letting their traditions go.

The Canadian government wanted the country to develop and grow.


It was slow to keep it’s end of the bargain.

Sometimes it did not keep it at all.Expanding was the major concern of

the government.Justice for Aboriginal peoples was

not.

Treaty 6Treaty 6

Treaty 6 was one of the most important of the number treaties.

Treaty 6 changed the lives of many First Nations.

It came at a time of great hardship for these Nations.

Disease and hunger were a risk to survival.

Canada’s Negotiator, Alexander Morris, wrote the Aboriginal peoples the “future of their children”.

Treaty 6Treaty 6

When the First Nations signed the treaties in 1876, they did so carefully.

First Nations gave up a huge part of land in Alberta and Saskatchewan.

Later, they gave up parts of Manitoba.First Nations got reserves with one half

of a square km of a land for each person.

They also promised farming supplies and yearly help of $5 a person.

Treaty 6Treaty 6

It also promised a medicine chest would be kept on each reserve to fight sicknesses and diseases.

Some Cree including those who were led by chiefs, Pitikwahanapiwiyin (Pound maker), and Mistahimaskwa (Big Bear) refused to sign the treaty.

Their suffering forced nearly all the Cree to sign.

Quotes By Quotes By Big Bear and and Pound maker and Treaty 6:and Treaty 6:

“We want none of the Queen’s presence” Big Bear said to the Canadian negotiators.

“This is our land, it is not a piece of pemmican to be cut off, and given in little pieces back to us” Poundmaker said.

They hoped, under the treaty, the government would give them the resources they needed and life would improve.

For, most it did not.

Big Bear (1825-1888):

Big Bear was a Cree chief.He was one of the last ones to sign the

treaties with the Canadian government.He was the wisest and most noble leader of

his people.Big Bear was sure his people would get food

if he signed a treaty with the government.After his followers were defeated, he was

arrested but he always wanted peace. He was in jail for 2 years.

His health was ruined. One year after he died.

Poundmaker (1842-1886):

Poundmaker was an important Cree chief.

Some worries on Poundmaker’s reserve disagreed with him.

When there was a fight in 1885, Poundmaker did not join them.

He tried to make peace with Louis Riel in General Middleton.

He was sent to prison for 3 years. He died 4 months after being released.

ReservesReserves

First Nations people signed number treaties out of desperation.

Their traditional way of life was dyeing.While that was happening, Europeans

settled in the West.The bison herds were nearly gone.First Nations, across the West hoped for

better life after the treaties were made.First Nations handed over huge pieces of

land to the government.

ReservesReserves

Under Treaty 6 they gave up more than 300 000 square km of land.

Treaty 8 was signed 1899 and involved nearly 850 000 square km.

That area was larger than the country of France. The First Nations were given small reserves of land. It was about half a square km per person. The government wanted the First Nations to be

farmers. There were reasons that farming on reserves were

proved to be hard. The First Nations never farmed before. The farms that families were given were too small.

ReservesReserves The land was often rocky and dry. The government was often late giving equipment,

seeds, supplies, and animals. The government wanted to build railways and roads

on their land. The government tried to convince the First Nations to

sell their reserves. People on the reserves were poor they gave in the

pressure to sell. Other people were forced to give up their land. In ways Canada’s federal and provincial governments

that was Aboriginal people’s democracy. People who lived on reserves were not allowed to

vote.

ReservesReserves In the West, the government created the pass system. First Nations needed permission from the government

officials if they wanted to leave their reserves. This system only lasted until the 1940s. The status Indians were not allowed to vote in

elections until 1960. People who worked for fair treatment were often

treated as dangerous troublemakers by the authorities.

There have been disputes about the reserve boundaries.

These disputes have led to specific land claims. A land claim is a legal process. In the claim Aboriginals and the government tried to

agree who would control other pieces of land.

ReservesReserves In some instance it had taken many years for the

government to settle these disputes. One case involved Ontario’s Manitoulin Island with

nearly 130 years to settle. There are more then 2 400 served in Canada. 500 000 people lived on the reserves. That is half of the Aboriginal pop. in Canada. A lot of these reserves were created by the treaties. The treaties were signed in late 19 and 20th

century. Canadians think Aboriginal people could give up

their traditions and reserves. However, this would be like asking non Aboriginal

Canadians to give up their homes and traditions.

What Reserves Meant To the What Reserves Meant To the First Nations:First Nations:

For First Nations the reserves are more then just homes, they are communities.

There, people could live by their traditions.

There, they would have control over the ways they lived and the ways they earned their living.

The Disappearance Of The The Disappearance Of The BisonBison

For thousands of years bison grazed on the Prairies. These animals were hunted by First Nations. Later they were hunted by the Métis. The Cree relied on the bison for food. In the late 19 century some bison roamed the

prairies. People with rifles killed most of them. They killed them with poisoned bait. When this happened they couldn't eat the meat. As the bison herds disappeared famine gripped

entire first nations. Some ate Some ate Prairie dogs. Some ate rodents.


Famine was a reason for First nations to

sign treaties.By 1900 there were only 400 - 500

bison left. Over the past 100 years no one saw

bison anymore.

The North West ResistanceThe North West Resistance

History repeats itself a famous saying goes. At first, the North West Resistance seemed

like it would be like the Red River Resistance.

It absolutely must have seemed that way to John A MacDonald.

Louis Riel was back as leader of the Métis. In Batoche present day Saskatoon he

formed a provincial government. Just like what he did at Red River in 1870. Again, Riel demanded that the Canadian

government deal with the Métis.

Origins of the Northwest Origins of the Northwest ResistanceResistance

By the 1880s, the Cree, Blackfoot, and the other people who were living on the Prairies fell on the hardest time they have ever done.

The bison herds were almost gone. Many Plains people turned to farming. However, bad weather led to years of crop failure. The First Nations people lived on the edge of

starvation, but the Canadian helped them. John A MacDonald’s government took advantage

of the situation by forcing the First Nations to sign the treaties which were unfair.

The Métis of the Saskatchewan River valley, had come from Red River.


As the railway moved closer, the Métis feared losing their farms to the Newcomers.

For years, the Canadian government would not agree to the Métis land claims.

The Métis turned to their former leader, Louis Riel, for help.

Louis Riel ReturnsLouis Riel Returns Following the Red River Resistance, Louis Riel

lived in different places in Canada and the U.S. He moved to Montana in 1870 and married and

had children. He became a school teacher. It seemed as if he was settling to a normal life. In 1874, a group of Métis that were led by Gabriel

Dumont, asked Riel to return to Canada. They wanted him to lead them instead. The group hoped Riel could at Batoche what he

had done at Red River 15 years earlier. Riel had reached an agreement with the Canadian

government that protected the rights of the Métis.

(Continued)(Continued) In March of 1885, Riel set up a provisional

government at Batoche. He demanded that the Canadian government

agree with the Métis. However, they never talked with the Métis. Later that month, an armed force of the Métis

that was led by Dumont defeated a force of the NWMP at Duck Lake.

Much had changed since 1870. Even Riel was different. He now believed he had been selected by God to

lead the Métis. He lost the support of the church for his beliefs.


He even tried to make an alliance with the First Nations.

But they backed away. They did not share his beliefs. Also, many of them signed treaties with the

government that they did not want to break. Some Métis did not want to join him. They had feared the power of the Canadian

government. Riel had been away for years. He did not know how quickly the Canadian

government could send soldiers to the West.

The Soldiers ArriveThe Soldiers Arrive In 1870, it had taken 4 months for troops to travel

from Ottawa to Fort Garry. Now, there was a transcontinental railway. The government was able to send 3000 troops to

the Prairies in 4 weeks or less. Some had come from as far away as Quebec and

Halifax. Less then a month after the battle at Duck Lake,

a huge force of Canadian troops were ready to strike at Riel and his followers.

A British officer was the force’s leader. His name was Major General Frederick Middleton. He had a simple plan.


His plan was to move in the force on Batoche and destroy Riel’s provisional government.

However, a group of Nehiyaw and Nakoda (Stoney) people had taken control of Battleford, which was the territorial capital.

Now Frederick Middleton had 2 wars to fight.

The Fighting BeginsThe Fighting Begins Frederick Middleton’s army was joined by troops

from the Canadian West. By mid-April of 1885, Middleton had nearly 5000

soldiers. In addition, his troops had new, powerful weapons

(quick firing rifles). They even had a hand-cranked machine gun

(Gatling gun) Middleton was cautious though. He had a good reason to be. In 1876, in Montana, a regiment of U.S Cavalry

had been defeated, with a loss of 210 men, by the Lakota (Sioux) and the Tsitsista (Cheyenne).


It happened at the Battle of Little Bighorn. In 1879, in distant southern Africa, a British army was

defeated by the spear-carrying warriors of the African-Zulu nation.

Middleton had heard about these battles. He knew that the weapons did not always lead to

victory. Invaders that were overconfident could be defeated

by people that were defending their homes. When Middleton was about to attack, he wanted to

make sure that he would not do any mistake. First, sent a powerful force that was lead by

Lieutenant


Colonel William Otter to fight the Cree at Battleford. Next, he sent a second force to defend Calgary. On April 23, 1885, Middleton marched with the

rest of his troops to Batoche. At the Battle of Fish Creek, Gabriel Dumont and a

force of Métis ambushed Middleton’s army. Then, Middleton was forced to retreat. 2 weeks later, in early May, the Nehiyaw (Cree)

war chief Fine Day, defeated Colonel Otter at the Battle of Cut Knife Creek.

Still, the Métis and the First Nations that chose to fight were badly outnumbered.


They could only delay the troops.They could not stop their advance.

The Battle Of BatocheThe Battle Of Batoche Louis Riel had many fine qualities. He was very brave and intelligent. He inspired his supporters. He was not an experienced military leader though. Gabriel Dumont was, but Middleton had more men

and guns. Dumont knew he could not beat the Canadian

troops in the fight. He wanted to fight a guerrilla war. That war involved using hit-and-run and ambush

tactics. Dumont hoped that over time he and his men could

break the Canadian government’s will to fight.

(Continued)(Continued)Riel, however, believed that everything was in

God’s hands.He demanded Dumont to dig in and prepare to

fight for Batoche.At the Battle of Batoche, that was May 5-12, 1885,

Riel and Dumont had only 250 men and they faced nearly 1000 troops.

The Métis held off the government troops for days.However, the Métis had gotten tired.They finally ran out of weapons.On May 12, Batoche was captured by the

government troops.Riel fled but had given himself up 4 days later.


With Riel in custody (in charge) the troops kept fighting the Cree.

Within weeks, the Cree chiefs Poundmaker and Big Bear surrendered.

The Trial of Louis RielThe Trial of Louis Riel In July of 1885, the Canadian government

charged Louis Riel with crime. He was sent to pilot in Regina. That way, the authorities would be sure that no

Métis, French, or Catholics would be on the board. Riel’s lawyers wanted to say that he was innocent

in court, because he was mentally ill. Riel did not let them. He did not want people to think that his efforts to

help the Métis were of an insane man. It took the jury just one hour to figure out that

Riel was guilty.


In Ottawa, MacDonald’s advisors warned the prime minister the Conservative Party would lose support in Quebec if Riel was hanged.

Louis Riel was hanged in Regina on November 16, 1885.

Riel’s execution had divided Canadians. In Ontario, many protestants of British background

had supported his death. In Quebec, many French-Canadian people were

outraged over the hanging of a French-Speaking Catholic.

In Manitoba and Saskatchewan, the Métis were saddened by the loss of a hero who stood up for their rights.

Paying the Price for Paying the Price for ResistanceResistance

23 Métis were killed in the resistance. Many of the Aboriginal participants were hanged

or put to jail for their actions. 8 Cree, who had attacked and killed settlers at

Frog Lake and Battleford were hanged too. 21 Métis were put in prison. Some stayed in prison for 7 years. The reserves that the government thought had

supported the Resistance were cut off from both supplies and services.

Big Bear’s band was broken up. Its members were sent to live with other bands.


Many of the Métis people were landless and was branded as rebels.

This was a label that would last.It would last maybe a century or

more.

Gabriel Dumont (1837-Gabriel Dumont (1837-1906)1906)

Gabriel Dumont was Louis Riel’s military leader during the Northwest Resistance.

He grew up canoeing, hunting, and riding.When he was 13, he fought his first battle

at the Grand Coteau. In 1884, he was one of the Métis who

asked Riel to come back to Batoche to lead them.

In the U.S, this former of the Métis, who spoke 6 languages, ended up performing in Buffalo Bill’s Wild West Show.

In 1890 he returned to Batoche.

Crowfoot (1830-1890)Crowfoot (1830-1890) Crowfoot was a chief of the Blackfoot. He lived in Southern Alberta. As a young warrior, he was known for his great

cunning and skill. He fought in many battles including one against a

grizzly bear. He survived many wounds. He was once shot in the back but he survived. For the rest of his life he lived with a musket ball

lodged in his body. As an older and wiser man, he looked for many

peaceful solutions to problems.

Residential SchoolsResidential Schools

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Chapter 4