The North-West Rebellion, the North-West Resistance, Second Riel Rebellion, Northwest Uprising or the 1885 RESISTANCE
The North-West Rebellion of 1885 was known as a violent uprising fought between the Canadian Government and the Métis including their aboriginal allies.
The Métis were still unsatisfied with the Canadian government treatment towards them after the Red River Rebellion. Insecurity and concerns regarding land rights and the survival of the Métis with an influx of white settlers and deteriorating bison population gave rise to this second major rebellion.
A List of ever-growing grievances
After the Red River Rebellion in Manitoba, the Métis list of grievances continued to grow. The gradual disappearance of their old life as fur traders and carriers for the Hudson’s Bay Company was of great concern. They were also still waiting for the reassurance of guaranteed titles to their river lot homes and farms. For many tribes, along with the Métis, the bison was a primary food source. However, the bison population was dwindling. Bison herds started to disappear, causing near starvation for many. Poor harvests in the following years simply added to their problems. All while the government in the east remained unsympathetic as concerns the Métis and other aboriginal tribes continue to pile onto each other. The Métis wanted action.
The return of Louis riel
In the summer of 1884, Louis Riel was brought back from his exile to the United States by the Métis of Saskatchewan. With Louis Riel returned to Canada, he quickly began to unite the dissatisfied people. Riel and Metis began to press their case of the failure and to address their grievances to Canadian Prime Minister John A. Macdonald and his conservative government. Riel urged Métis and non-Métis settlers alike to sign a petition he prepared.
As time pass with no response from the Canadian government. Riel believed that he was chosen by God to lead the Métis people. Another rebellion was brewing.
10-point “Revolutionary Bill of Rights"
In March 1885, a 10-point “Revolutionary Bill of Rights” was passed by Riel and the Métis. The bill declared the Métis rights of possession to their farms. Another demand they made were for the provincial status of Saskatchewan, Alberta, and Red River. They wanted the Canadian government to completely improve their treatment of the Indigenous peoples.
As tensions rose, on March 19, Riel and Metis seized the parish church at Batoche, demanding the surrender of Fort Carlton, the Hudson’s Bay Company’s nearby post. Louis Riel was again named president of the rebel government. Gabriel Dumont, a famed Métis hunter, was named military commander.
As tensions rose, on March 19, Riel and Metis seized the parish church at Batoche, demanding the surrender of Fort Carlton, the Hudson’s Bay Company’s nearby post. Louis Riel was again named president of the rebel government. Gabriel Dumont, a famed Métis hunter, was named military commander.
the fighting
The Métis occupied the community of Duck Lake, midway between Batoche and Fort Carlton, in anticipation of some kind of police intervention. On March 26, 1885, was the battle of Duck Lake. Under the command of Superintendent Lief Crozier, around one 100 North-West Mounted Police (NWMP) and armed citizen volunteers fought against the Métis and aboriginal rebels. Dumont’s brother and an elderly aboriginal met Crozier and his Métis interpreter, Joe McKay on the Carlton Trail to negotiate. Crozier soon became mistrustful that the rebels were using the discussion as a delay tactic. When the rebels began to ready their guns, McKay opened fire and killed the rebel negotiators. A brief battle began and resulted in the police and volunteers retreating to Fort Carlton. Riel convinced the rebel soldiers to not pursue and the Métis returned to Batoche. The NWMP ended up moving northeast to Prince Albert.
Even before the Duck Lake battle had begun, the Canadian government had clear goals. They mobilized their military forces. William Van Horne, a railroad manager, arranged for the Canadian troops to go across the unfinished gaps in the new railway. This factor allows them to reach Qu’Appelle, Saskatchewan, by April 10th. 3000 troops were transported west. Under the command of General Frederick Middleton: the troops included Ontario-based militia units, two Québec battalions, one from Nova Scotia and another 1700 troops came from the west.
With the killings at Frog Lake and the looting of Battleford, General Middleton sent a large group under the leadership of Lieutenant Colonel William D. Otter north from a second railhead at Swift Current. This decision pressured Alberta, leading to a creation of a force under Major General Thomas Bland Strange. Middleton forces themselves would march to Batoche from Clarke’s Crossing on the South Saskatchewan River. The Métis were insistent on fighting Middleton's forces, but their opinions conflict about where to make a stand. Riel wanted to focus on defending Batoche. However, Dumont wanted a more forward position. Dumont won the argument. So he, along with about 150 Métis and aboriginal supporters, prepared an ambush at Tourond’s Coulee, also known as Fish Creek. The results of the battle of Fish Creek were that both commanders chose to pull back. The Métis prevented Middleton’s advance and held their ground.
Middleton waited for reinforcements before resuming his march toward Batoche. The Métis held the line preventing Middleton’s troops from making much progress. By the afternoon, the troops built a fortified camp just south of Batoche. The next two days of the battle of Batoche, the Métis held them off with success. In the afternoon of May 12, 1885, two impulsive colonels led several militia units in a charge without specific orders. Due to the short amount of ammunition, the troops overran the rebels. Three days later, Riel surrendered, and Dumont fled to Montana, United States.
The execution of louis riel
After being arrested, many rebels were charged with treason by the Canadian government. From the side of English Canada, they hadn't forgotten of Riel's execution of an English Canadian man, Thomas Scott during the Red River Rebellion. They were heavily in support that the government to take tough measures. While the French Canada pressed for the government to show leniency toward the French Catholic Riel. On September 18, 1885, it was decided that the conversional figure of Louis Riel was sentenced to be hanged.
November 16, 1885, Louis Riel was executed by the Canadian government.
Looking back, the rebellions symbolized the Canadian government’s efforts to exert control on the indigenous communities along with the population of settlers within the region. Indigenous people were oppressed by the treaties of the 1870s and essentially became subjugated people by the end of 1885. The Métis leadership’s vocal members either fled or were sentenced to jail. It took years on end for the local indigenous communities and communities of settlers to recover politically and emotionally from the defeat of the rebellions in 1885.
The legacy Louis Riel left for himself is complicated and arguably quite controversial. The debate of whether he is considered a hero or a traitor has been ongoing.
From the view of the English settlers, Louis Riel is seen as a traitor and a murderer. He was the resister that led multiple uprisings against the plans of expansion by the Canadian government.
Looking back, the rebellions symbolized the Canadian government’s efforts to exert control on the indigenous communities along with the population of settlers within the region. Indigenous people were oppressed by the treaties of the 1870s and essentially became subjugated people by the end of 1885. The Métis leadership’s vocal members either fled or were sentenced to jail. It took years on end for the local indigenous communities and communities of settlers to recover politically and emotionally from the defeat of the rebellions in 1885.
The legacy Louis Riel left for himself is complicated and arguably quite controversial. The debate of whether he is considered a hero or a traitor has been ongoing.
From the view of the English settlers, Louis Riel is seen as a traitor and a murderer. He was the resister that led multiple uprisings against the plans of expansion by the Canadian government.
For the Métis, he did everything to protect the cultural and linguistic rights of the people of the prairies. Riel fought for better treatment of his people, he fought so his people and their struggles could be recognized by the Canadian government. His legacy is permanently felt in Manitoba as his role in history played a big part in Manitoba's entry into the Dominion of Canada.
Some believe he was just an imperfect leader and defender of his people, a flawed man who has made many mistakes in life. He was seen as a visionary and a protector of minority rights in Canada. Was Louis Riel a hero? a villain? a revolutionary? Even today, it truly depends on who you are asking.
Some believe he was just an imperfect leader and defender of his people, a flawed man who has made many mistakes in life. He was seen as a visionary and a protector of minority rights in Canada. Was Louis Riel a hero? a villain? a revolutionary? Even today, it truly depends on who you are asking.