The Northwest Rebellion

01/17/06

The North West Rebellion

- After Manitoba joined Canada many Metis moved to the North-West (present day Sask. and Alb.) To pursue their lifestyle.

	- Again Canadian surveyors showed up to prepare the land for settlement and the railway.
	- for the Metis and other Natives the same concerns arose:

	- proof of land ownership
	- loss of buffalo, food and money for lands
	- settlers wanted a higher price for their wheat and a stronger voice in Ottawa

- The Metis persuaded Riel to return as their leader’ he decided to use the same methods that had been successful in 1870. However conditions had changed

	1. The Northwest Mounted Police had been set up
	2. There was a railway to bring troops from eastern Canada.

- The North-West Rebellion began in March 1885

	1. A small group of Mounted Police were defeated
	2. 10 days later 5000 armed troops arrived out west
	3. In battles at Fish Creek, Batoche and Cut Knife Hill government troops defeated Riel and his supporters and won with superior weapons and troops.
	4. Within a 100 days the rebellion was over and Riel was in prison for Treason.

The Trial of Riel

	- referred to as the most important trial in Canadian history
	- Riel’s jury: 6 English speaking Protestants.
	- friends feared he would not get a fir trial?
	- Lawyers wanted him to plead insanity, he did not, feeling it was a disgrace.
	- Ont. people wanted him hanged for Thomas Scott
	- Que. People felt him a hero
	- found guilty and hung on Nov 16 1885.

This site was last updated 12/17/01