Objective Conditions
In the 1800s, the Métis flourished population of the Northwestern Region; in the plains of what is now Alberta and Saskatchewan. They were categorised as half-breeds, and were used by Fur Trading Companies as workers and providers of fur.
Under the Treaty of Utrecht, signed in 1713, the land known as Rupert's Land was under the monopoly extent of the Hudson's Bay Company. The HBC set up colonies throughout their expanse to establish trade with the Natives who resided there, one of which was the Cree tribe, who have inhabited the Plain region. Scottish men were sent to the West to hunt for furs, though most of the work was done by the Natives. The large population of Scottish workers and little to no women of European descent caused the sudden increase of Anglo-Aboriginal peoples. Albeit relations between the two were forbidden, the Company soon had to realise that the new population could not be controlled, and by 1740s the overwhelming number of Métis was far more significant. The HBC took it upon themselves to train the Métis as future fur traders and children were forced to adopt the new practices.
In 1811, the 5th Earl of Selkirk, Thomas Douglas, wished to establish a colony in North America, and purchased approximately 300,000 km2 of land, and named it Assiniboia. The colony was called the Red River Colony, which was officially viewed as a colony in 1812. It comprised mainly of Scottish Irish settlers, and several Swedes. Inevitably, they were not well suited to the land, and as a result, they often solicited help from the Métis and Natives. This effected a deep dissatisfaction, and in 1815, the Red River Colony was forced to be abandoned. Two years later, the Selkirk Treaty was signed. The contents of it was that all land claims which the Cree and Chippewa had to the land bought by Selkirk would be ceded to the latter. Later, when Thomas Selkirk died, those in charge of his estate controlled the value of his land in Canada by evicting all Europeans settlers, leaving the land to the Métis and Native communities who had lived there from before.
During the time when the Red River Settlement was handled by the HBC, the Métis were generally happy with their rights. The following table shows the number of Métis and their possessions between 1835 and 1856, gathered from the Red River Settlement Censuses.
In 1811, the 5th Earl of Selkirk, Thomas Douglas, wished to establish a colony in North America, and purchased approximately 300,000 km2 of land, and named it Assiniboia. The colony was called the Red River Colony, which was officially viewed as a colony in 1812. It comprised mainly of Scottish Irish settlers, and several Swedes. Inevitably, they were not well suited to the land, and as a result, they often solicited help from the Métis and Natives. This effected a deep dissatisfaction, and in 1815, the Red River Colony was forced to be abandoned. Two years later, the Selkirk Treaty was signed. The contents of it was that all land claims which the Cree and Chippewa had to the land bought by Selkirk would be ceded to the latter. Later, when Thomas Selkirk died, those in charge of his estate controlled the value of his land in Canada by evicting all Europeans settlers, leaving the land to the Métis and Native communities who had lived there from before.
During the time when the Red River Settlement was handled by the HBC, the Métis were generally happy with their rights. The following table shows the number of Métis and their possessions between 1835 and 1856, gathered from the Red River Settlement Censuses.
The Métis the the Assiniboia region and Red River Settlement were later subjected to strong discontent when the Rupert's Land would change hands into the Dominion of Canada, in 1869. They believed that this would affect their way of life, and their permanent claim of the land, and this eventually this led to the notorious Red River Rebellion in 1870, led by Louis Riel. The Métis suffered a prolific loss, and the land was given to Canada.
The Rebellion brought attention to the welfare of the Métis community, and later that year the Manitoba Act was put into use. The statue declared Manitoba as a province, and gave rights to the Red River Métis. Section 31 contained the vital details regarding compensation and grants:
The Rebellion brought attention to the welfare of the Métis community, and later that year the Manitoba Act was put into use. The statue declared Manitoba as a province, and gave rights to the Red River Métis. Section 31 contained the vital details regarding compensation and grants:
31 of the Manitoba Act addressed the extinguishment of Indian title by granting 1.4 million acres to the children of Métis families residing in the province at the time Rupertsland was transferred to Canada (15 July 1870). Sub-sections 1 to 3 of Section 32 of the Act dealt with the recognition, by Canada, of land already acknowledged as personal property by the Hudson’s Bay Company prior to the transfer. Sub-sections 4 and 5 of Section 32 dealt with people who possessed land or had access to resources before and/or during the transfer of land. [14]
Manitoba Métis who did not recieve land were given a scrip of the same value.
Between 1870 and 1921, there were ten additional scrips for Métis who lived on land which the Natives gave to Canada in line with the Eleven Numbered Treaties. It provided land up to 20-24 acres of land, or $20 - $240 to people who could prove that they lived there from before 15 July 1870.
However, many of the Métis did not apply for the scrip. Out of the ones who did, some were rejected, based on insufficient evidence of residence, or simply did not appear. Also, The Manitoba Act only offered scrip for Métis in Manitoba, and not for those in the Red River Settlement (the North-West Métis). An Amendment was later added to include the Métis of the North-West.
In the 1886 Comission, there were 258 claimants of land. William Pearce, Commissioner, writes in his report about the grants for the North-West Métis:
Between 1870 and 1921, there were ten additional scrips for Métis who lived on land which the Natives gave to Canada in line with the Eleven Numbered Treaties. It provided land up to 20-24 acres of land, or $20 - $240 to people who could prove that they lived there from before 15 July 1870.
However, many of the Métis did not apply for the scrip. Out of the ones who did, some were rejected, based on insufficient evidence of residence, or simply did not appear. Also, The Manitoba Act only offered scrip for Métis in Manitoba, and not for those in the Red River Settlement (the North-West Métis). An Amendment was later added to include the Métis of the North-West.
In the 1886 Comission, there were 258 claimants of land. William Pearce, Commissioner, writes in his report about the grants for the North-West Métis:
Out of the 258 claimants, 175 are Manitoba half breeds; 24 are enumerated as North-West half breeds; 18 re enumerated as doubtful whether Manitoba, North-West, American or treaty-taking half-breeds; 39 are American treaty-taking half-breeds and others who are not half-breeds.
Out of the 24 enumerated as North-West half-breeds, 8 failed to appear before the Half-Breed Commission, and as neither descendants of them nor heir thereto appeared, it may be safely argued that they were not entitled to any rights as NorthWest half-breeds.
Of the 18 enumerated as doubtful, 16, or any descendants or heirs of them, failed to appear before the Half-Breed Commission, leaving 4 who possibly are North-west half-breeds.
Deducting te 8 who failed to appear and adding the 4 doubtful ones who possibly are genuine, gives 20 North West half-breeds, being less than 8 per cent. of the whole. [13]
In the aftermath of the scrip, many Métis sold their land to European merchants or the Canadian Pacific Rail Company for a fraction of its worth, to avoid debt. Many people were displaced as a result of this.
The following image shows a group of Métis on a plain in Manitoba, taken in 1874:
In the photograph above are a group of Métis people, who have en route to Manitoba in hopes of being granted a scrip. Their wagon is of the simplest kind, and their lack of baggage shows that they rely on the nature around them to provide most of their food and shelter, although one box of supplies is present. The land in the background is flat and without people, a sign that the land has not yet been used for settlements, and the dryness and infertility of the earth seems to make the land ill-suited for agricultural procedures. Their clothes are traveling clothes, typical of lower-class people such as their loose shirt and trousers. Four of the men wear hats, evidence of their long travel-time in daylight. The people in the image vary in age, and it can be inferred that they were from a similar family. They sit together in an orderly conduct, and the photograph was likely pre-planned.
During the time when scrips were offered, the Métis would flood to wherever the supplement was given. In the excerpt of the report by William Pearce above, more than half of those who applied for the scrip were not applicable to the specific commission. The constant movement of Métis from one region to another led to large inconsistencies of certain regional categories of Métis people.
However, not all Métis who were able to receive a scrip were able to fully use the land. The scrips issued were addressed To the Bearer, meaning that anyone in possession of the scrip was able to go to government office and receive the grant even if there were not Métis.
During the time when scrips were offered, the Métis would flood to wherever the supplement was given. In the excerpt of the report by William Pearce above, more than half of those who applied for the scrip were not applicable to the specific commission. The constant movement of Métis from one region to another led to large inconsistencies of certain regional categories of Métis people.
However, not all Métis who were able to receive a scrip were able to fully use the land. The scrips issued were addressed To the Bearer, meaning that anyone in possession of the scrip was able to go to government office and receive the grant even if there were not Métis.