North-West RebellionNorth-West RebellionGabriel Dumont Gabriel Dumont

The Return of RielThe Return of Riel

Battle of Duck LakeBattle of Duck Lake

Battle of BatocheBattle of Batoche

Execution of RielExecution of Riel

The North-West RebellionThe North-West Rebellion► The promise of a French-Canadian home in The promise of a French-Canadian home in

Manitoba was already at an endManitoba was already at an end► New settlers had arrived pushing the Metis New settlers had arrived pushing the Metis

outout► The Metis had gone to Saskatchewan as the The Metis had gone to Saskatchewan as the

buffalo were disappearingbuffalo were disappearing► The Metis had no clear title to the land they The Metis had no clear title to the land they

settled and the surveyors had moved insettled and the surveyors had moved in► The Plains People were also suffering the The Plains People were also suffering the

Cree, Blackfoot and the SiouxCree, Blackfoot and the Sioux

The Return of Louis RielThe Return of Louis Riel► The other settlers were The other settlers were

angry angry ► The harvest was poor and The harvest was poor and

the prices lowthe prices low► Most settlers had taken Most settlers had taken

land along the northern rail land along the northern rail routeroute

► The railway had taken the The railway had taken the southern routesouthern route

► By 1884 the North-West By 1884 the North-West was ripe for rebellionwas ripe for rebellion

► ““Only one man can help us Only one man can help us now Riel!”now Riel!”

► Gabriel Dumont was sent to Gabriel Dumont was sent to get Rielget Riel

Riel is in MontanaRiel is in Montana

► Gabriel Dumont Gabriel Dumont legendary hunter and legendary hunter and master sharpshooter led master sharpshooter led the Metis to find Rielthe Metis to find Riel

► Dumont was an expert Dumont was an expert horseman who spoke 6 horseman who spoke 6 different native different native languages as well as languages as well as French and some French and some EnglishEnglish

► With the buffalo gone With the buffalo gone Dumont had settled in Dumont had settled in Batoche he operated a Batoche he operated a ferry and ran a general ferry and ran a general storestore

► It was Dumont who It was Dumont who asked Riel to returnasked Riel to return

Why not have Dumont lead?Why not have Dumont lead?

►Dumont was an Dumont was an excellent military excellent military leader and well-leader and well-respected hunter respected hunter but he was not the but he was not the educated, fiery educated, fiery representative representative that the Metis that the Metis neededneeded

Lead his People to FreedomLead his People to Freedom► Louis Riel - teaching in Louis Riel - teaching in

Montana Montana ► 15 years since the Red River 15 years since the Red River

Rebellion but the Metis Rebellion but the Metis rememberremember

► Riel - not the same person, Riel - not the same person, had suffered a series of had suffered a series of emotional breakdowns and emotional breakdowns and had spent several years in had spent several years in asylumsasylums

► Louis Riel was convinced he Louis Riel was convinced he was the “prophet of the was the “prophet of the grasslands”grasslands”

► Riel returned to the North-Riel returned to the North-West with hope of a peaceful West with hope of a peaceful resolutionresolution

► To others – his return signalled To others – his return signalled that another rebellion was that another rebellion was possiblepossible

What did the people want?What did the people want?

►The Metis:The Metis: A voice in governmentA voice in government Recognition of ownership of landRecognition of ownership of land

►Aboriginals:Aboriginals: Money and food in exchange for their landMoney and food in exchange for their land

►Settlers:Settlers: Higher price for wheat, lower cost for rail Higher price for wheat, lower cost for rail

and stronger voice in governmentand stronger voice in government

Louis and JohnLouis and John► Riel sent Macdonald a petition on behalf of the Riel sent Macdonald a petition on behalf of the

residents of the region asking for provincial residents of the region asking for provincial statusstatus

► An elected government and control of natural An elected government and control of natural resourcesresources

► Macdonald delayedMacdonald delayed► Riel and the Metis grew impatientRiel and the Metis grew impatient► Louis Riel declared a provisional government Louis Riel declared a provisional government

in the village of Batochin the village of Batoch► On March 19, 1885 the North-West Rebellion On March 19, 1885 the North-West Rebellion

beganbegan

ChangesChanges

►Many changes since the Red River Many changes since the Red River RebellionRebellion

►North West Mounted Police were well North West Mounted Police were well establishedestablished

►Railway was in place – allowed for the Railway was in place – allowed for the quick movement of troopsquick movement of troops

►Once Riel took up arms, he lost the support Once Riel took up arms, he lost the support of the settlers and the Catholic churchof the settlers and the Catholic church

Battle of Duck Lake – March 26Battle of Duck Lake – March 26thth, 1885, 1885

► At Duck Lake the NWMP and the Metis under At Duck Lake the NWMP and the Metis under command of Dumont clashedcommand of Dumont clashed

► Dumont won battle sending the Mounties into Dumont won battle sending the Mounties into retreat - 12 officers and men diedretreat - 12 officers and men died

► Dumont wanted to pursue and kill them all Dumont wanted to pursue and kill them all but Riel would not let himbut Riel would not let him

► ““If you are going to give them the advantage If you are going to give them the advantage like that, we cannot win!” Dumont like that, we cannot win!” Dumont

► By this time Riel’s religious delusions had By this time Riel’s religious delusions had resurfacedresurfaced

PoundmakerPoundmaker

► 2 breakaway bands of Cree 2 breakaway bands of Cree warriors along with some warriors along with some Sioux and Assiniboine did Sioux and Assiniboine did join the rebellionjoin the rebellion

► Big BearBig Bear - had earlier - had earlier resisted the call to the resisted the call to the reserves and reserves and PoundmakerPoundmaker lead the revoltlead the revolt

► Big Bear’s warriors attacked Big Bear’s warriors attacked the settlement at Frog Lake the settlement at Frog Lake and killed 9 settlersand killed 9 settlers

► Poundmaker attacked Poundmaker attacked Battleford, the settlers fledBattleford, the settlers fled

Big BearBig Bear► With the buffalo gone, the With the buffalo gone, the

nomadic Cree were nomadic Cree were starvingstarving

► The Cree warriors and the The Cree warriors and the Metis did not co-ordinate Metis did not co-ordinate their attackstheir attacks

► In effect there were 2 In effect there were 2 rebellions: 1 Metis and 1 rebellions: 1 Metis and 1 CreeCree

► Big Bear wanted no part Big Bear wanted no part of the violence, but with of the violence, but with his people starving he his people starving he could not stop eventscould not stop events

CPR to the Rescue!CPR to the Rescue!

► The reaction to the rebellion was quickThe reaction to the rebellion was quick► In 1870 it had taken the army 3 months to In 1870 it had taken the army 3 months to

get to Manitobaget to Manitoba► In 1885 the CPR had reached the plainsIn 1885 the CPR had reached the plains► Within 10 days the first troops had arrived. Within 10 days the first troops had arrived.

Within the month, more than 5000 soldiers Within the month, more than 5000 soldiers were in placewere in place

► The army Mounties and militia were under The army Mounties and militia were under the command of General Frederick Middletonthe command of General Frederick Middleton

► Louis Riel saved John A’s CPRLouis Riel saved John A’s CPR

General MiddletonGeneral Middleton► Before the rebellion the railway Before the rebellion the railway

had been next to bankruptcyhad been next to bankruptcy► With the outbreak of the With the outbreak of the

rebellion parliament gave the rebellion parliament gave the extra money and the troops extra money and the troops moved westwardmoved westward

► General Middleton divided his General Middleton divided his forces into 3 columns and used forces into 3 columns and used the main line of the CPR as their the main line of the CPR as their basebase

► Column 1 under Major-General Column 1 under Major-General Thomas Strange moved north Thomas Strange moved north from Calgary against Big Bearfrom Calgary against Big Bear

► Column 3 under General Column 3 under General Middleton left Qu’Appelle and Middleton left Qu’Appelle and headed for Batocheheaded for Batoche

Battle of BatocheBattle of Batoche► Column 2 under Colonel William Column 2 under Colonel William

Otter moved north from Swift Otter moved north from Swift Current to relieve Battleford Current to relieve Battleford and capture Poundermakerand capture Poundermaker

► The Metis and the Cree were The Metis and the Cree were now on the defensivenow on the defensive

► At Fish Creek south of Batoche At Fish Creek south of Batoche General Middleton marched his General Middleton marched his troops into an ambush (April 24)troops into an ambush (April 24)

► A small force of Metis under A small force of Metis under Gabriel Dumont fought Gabriel Dumont fought Middleton to a standstillMiddleton to a standstill

► However, the odds were against However, the odds were against the Metisthe Metis

► Middleton had more men and Middleton had more men and supplies and the latest in supplies and the latest in warfare technology, an warfare technology, an American Gatling gunAmerican Gatling gun

► Middleton and his men Middleton and his men attacked the village of Batoche attacked the village of Batoche on May 9, 1885on May 9, 1885

► The fighting lasted for 4 daysThe fighting lasted for 4 days► When the army finally stormed When the army finally stormed

the defenses Gabriel Dumont the defenses Gabriel Dumont almost single-handedly held almost single-handedly held them off for an hour so the them off for an hour so the others could escapeothers could escape

► 21 Metis died at Batoche21 Metis died at Batoche

Death of a RebellionDeath of a Rebellion

► Dumont and Riel became Dumont and Riel became separated in the escapeseparated in the escape

► On May 15, 1885 Louis Riel On May 15, 1885 Louis Riel the “prophet of the the “prophet of the grasslands” surrendered to grasslands” surrendered to the Canadian Armythe Canadian Army

► 11 days later Poundermaker 11 days later Poundermaker also surrenderedalso surrendered

► Big Bear held out for Big Bear held out for another month and a half another month and a half before he too surrenderedbefore he too surrendered

► Gabriel Dumont escaped to Gabriel Dumont escaped to the United States were he the United States were he joined “Buffalo Bill’s Wild joined “Buffalo Bill’s Wild West Show”as “the Hero of West Show”as “the Hero of the Half-Breed Rebellion”the Half-Breed Rebellion”

The Trial of the CenturyThe Trial of the Century► Poundermaker and Big Bear were sent to Poundermaker and Big Bear were sent to

prisonprison► 8 Cree warriors were sentenced to public 8 Cree warriors were sentenced to public

hangingshangings► Riel refused to plead insanityRiel refused to plead insanity► He was tried in Regina and found guilty of He was tried in Regina and found guilty of

treasontreason► The jury recommended mercy, Quebec warned The jury recommended mercy, Quebec warned

that if Riel was executed it was “a declaration that if Riel was executed it was “a declaration of war against Quebec”of war against Quebec”

► John A. MacDonald refused to interveneJohn A. MacDonald refused to intervene

Riel Must Die!Riel Must Die!

► John A. refused to John A. refused to pardon Riel as he did pardon Riel as he did lead an armed rebellion lead an armed rebellion against the government against the government that caused the death of that caused the death of more than 200 peoplemore than 200 people

► At this time the penalty At this time the penalty for such crimes was for such crimes was deathdeath

► Macdonald had built his Macdonald had built his political career on an political career on an alliance between English alliance between English and French-Canadiansand French-Canadians

► Like Macdonald, Louis Riel Like Macdonald, Louis Riel has become all things to has become all things to all people, “a prophet, a all people, “a prophet, a traitor, a madman, a traitor, a madman, a hero”hero”

► Nov 7, 1885 Donald Smith Nov 7, 1885 Donald Smith drove home the last spike drove home the last spike for the CPRfor the CPR

► Nov 17, 1885 Louis Riel Nov 17, 1885 Louis Riel climbed the steps to the climbed the steps to the gallowsgallows

► 1891 - Macdonald fought 1891 - Macdonald fought his last campaign and his last campaign and wonwon

► June 6, 1891 Macdonald June 6, 1891 Macdonald dieddied

►Riel’s hanging caused political problems Riel’s hanging caused political problems for MacDonald and the Conservatives in for MacDonald and the Conservatives in QuebecQuebec

►Sparked controversy between English Sparked controversy between English and French Canadiansand French Canadians

►Government attitudes towards the Metis Government attitudes towards the Metis and Aboriginals became less sympatheticand Aboriginals became less sympathetic

►Government attempted to systemically Government attempted to systemically destroy Aboriginal culturedestroy Aboriginal culture