Subjective Factors
The long outcry of sufference exemplifies the Métis want for equality amoung the European society of the time. Throughout the early times, before the Confederation, the Métis were treated as one of the Natives, rather than a completely different race. In the Numbered treaties, their roles were not stated explicitly, and were instead included in the Natives' privileges. The first clear protest for rights as a distinct cultural group was those of the Red River Rebellion and North-West Rebellion, both led by Louis Riel.
In late 1869, the plans of merging Manitoba into the Confederation was interrupted by a Métis man named Louis Riel. He was born in the Red River Colony, and was representative of the Métis, as well as the country-born (English half-breeds). Prior to the occurrence, the Métis already had unsettling grievances concerning the use of their land, and famine, which was caused by the scarcity of buffalo. This was exacerbated when William McDougall, was appointed Lieutenant-Governor. McDougall was an annexationist, and sought to oppress the Métis to establish it as a settlement which would fall under control of the Confederation. The Red River Rebellion was the first public display of discontent toward the government. The December of 1869, Louis Riel proclaimed a Provisional Government, and by the following month, he had most of the country-born to side with him. This new government was declared as the representative for both mixed-blood races, and they prepared to negotiate terms with the government. However, the demonstration was chaotic and disorganised, and the accidental execution of Thomas Scott, an Ontario Orangeman, brought the attention of the federal government. The latter were merciful to allow Riel to live, but nonetheless Riel and the rest of the provisional fled. The government used the death of Scott to reject an unconditional amnesty for Riel. [5]
In 1885, Louis Riel returned to Manitoba for a delegation, and prepared a petition of grievances, this also with white settlers. The white settlers were furious when they discovered that the Canadian Pacific Railway had changed the path to the south, and that their business would have loss. The Provisional Government was reassembled, and Riel placed Gabriel Dumont as the Military Commander, and himself as the President. He led another armed resistance known as the North-West Rebellion. However, this too failed, and Riel surrendered and was charged with high treason. He was hanged on 16 November 1885 in Regina. [4] There was speculation that the trial was held in Saskatchewan because of the low number of Métis in the area.
Scrips were later issued to Métis who did not participate in the Rebellion. Despite this, there was still dissatisfaction with the government. Some Métis claimed that the government was insincere in their land and money grants. Since anyone in possession of the physical scrip was permitted to receive the contents, there was a sort of black-market during the Scrip era when sheets of paper which were stolen from the Métis was for sale to businessmen and merchants, who were neither Métis nor descendants of Métis.
In late 1869, the plans of merging Manitoba into the Confederation was interrupted by a Métis man named Louis Riel. He was born in the Red River Colony, and was representative of the Métis, as well as the country-born (English half-breeds). Prior to the occurrence, the Métis already had unsettling grievances concerning the use of their land, and famine, which was caused by the scarcity of buffalo. This was exacerbated when William McDougall, was appointed Lieutenant-Governor. McDougall was an annexationist, and sought to oppress the Métis to establish it as a settlement which would fall under control of the Confederation. The Red River Rebellion was the first public display of discontent toward the government. The December of 1869, Louis Riel proclaimed a Provisional Government, and by the following month, he had most of the country-born to side with him. This new government was declared as the representative for both mixed-blood races, and they prepared to negotiate terms with the government. However, the demonstration was chaotic and disorganised, and the accidental execution of Thomas Scott, an Ontario Orangeman, brought the attention of the federal government. The latter were merciful to allow Riel to live, but nonetheless Riel and the rest of the provisional fled. The government used the death of Scott to reject an unconditional amnesty for Riel. [5]
In 1885, Louis Riel returned to Manitoba for a delegation, and prepared a petition of grievances, this also with white settlers. The white settlers were furious when they discovered that the Canadian Pacific Railway had changed the path to the south, and that their business would have loss. The Provisional Government was reassembled, and Riel placed Gabriel Dumont as the Military Commander, and himself as the President. He led another armed resistance known as the North-West Rebellion. However, this too failed, and Riel surrendered and was charged with high treason. He was hanged on 16 November 1885 in Regina. [4] There was speculation that the trial was held in Saskatchewan because of the low number of Métis in the area.
Scrips were later issued to Métis who did not participate in the Rebellion. Despite this, there was still dissatisfaction with the government. Some Métis claimed that the government was insincere in their land and money grants. Since anyone in possession of the physical scrip was permitted to receive the contents, there was a sort of black-market during the Scrip era when sheets of paper which were stolen from the Métis was for sale to businessmen and merchants, who were neither Métis nor descendants of Métis.
The conditions of the Métis were described as very destitute; many starved at the dearth of buffalo and lack of money from the government, even with the scrips. About 104 people died of famine and many more from various consequences of little resources. The Provisional Government claimed that the Canadian government did nothing to help the Métis, and possibly even wished worse for them and the Natives as well. In the numbered treaties, buffalo and other services and goods were offered in exchange for Native land. However, no more buffalo was given than money was given. Thus, their income was extremely low, in addition to the prohibitions of staying within the Red River Settlement. Both rebellions, the Red River and North-West, were movements of Métis nationalism. Their goal was to achieve the status of being a different ethnic group from the Natives, but their wishes were not fulfilled. It would not be until after the Second World War that the Métis are given their own status, and unique rights.
Several people were identified as responsible for the suffering of the Métis:
Sir John Alexander MacDonald, First Prime Minister of Canada
Sir John A. MacDonald was born in Glasgow, Scotland on 11 January 1815. He and his family immigrated to Canada in 1820, where he was schooled and eventually studied law. The door to politics opened to him in 1844, when he was elected to the Legislative Assembly of the Province of Canada. In 1867, he had an idea to unite the province in North America, and sought independence from Britain. This was passed in the British North America Act of 1867. He was then known as the Father of Canada. In 1872, he signed contracts to allow the CPR Company to build a trans-Canada Railway, but unfortunately ended with the Pacific Scandal, forcing his government to resign. He was re-relected to Prime Minister in 1878, when the government of Alexander MacKenzie was blamed as ineffectual. The end of his tenure was blotted with difficulties, especially after the North-West Rebellion, for which he received strong criticism in the verdict that Louis Riel was guilty and ultimately hanged. He is often seen as adamant and cruel, by the Métis. MacDonald held his office as Prime Minister until his death, in 1891. [7]
William McDougall
McDougall was born in Toronto, in 1822. He was a member of the Assembly of the Province of Ontario, and was in attendance of all meeting for the establishment of the Confederation. He was appointed as the first Lt-Governor of Manitoba after his initiative of purchasing Rupert's Land from the Hudson's Bay Company. For this, Riel and the Provisional Government abhorred him, and he was eventually removed from this office. [9]
Canadian Pacific Rail Company
The Canadian Pacific Rail was responsible for building a railway which would connect Canada from ocean-to-ocean. They received land from a contract which was signed by John A. MacDonald, though this later led to the Pacific Scandal. An original path was intended more north than what the final route was. This angered many white settlers who moved towards the original path, in hopes of future opportunities of business. These settlers later agreed to sign a petition by Louis Riel which demanded rights. [8]
Hudson's Bay Company
The Hudson's Bay Company owned most of the land in Canada prior to 1870, when it was ceded to the Dominion of Canada. The change of ownership outrage many Métis, who live the the Red River Colony inside what was Rupert's Land. The Métis were further angered when Canada sent surveyors to measure the land which supposedly belonged to the Métis. The HBC is held as responsible for making the Métis community vulnerable to oppression by the canadian government. [10]
Sir John Alexander MacDonald, First Prime Minister of Canada
Sir John A. MacDonald was born in Glasgow, Scotland on 11 January 1815. He and his family immigrated to Canada in 1820, where he was schooled and eventually studied law. The door to politics opened to him in 1844, when he was elected to the Legislative Assembly of the Province of Canada. In 1867, he had an idea to unite the province in North America, and sought independence from Britain. This was passed in the British North America Act of 1867. He was then known as the Father of Canada. In 1872, he signed contracts to allow the CPR Company to build a trans-Canada Railway, but unfortunately ended with the Pacific Scandal, forcing his government to resign. He was re-relected to Prime Minister in 1878, when the government of Alexander MacKenzie was blamed as ineffectual. The end of his tenure was blotted with difficulties, especially after the North-West Rebellion, for which he received strong criticism in the verdict that Louis Riel was guilty and ultimately hanged. He is often seen as adamant and cruel, by the Métis. MacDonald held his office as Prime Minister until his death, in 1891. [7]
William McDougall
McDougall was born in Toronto, in 1822. He was a member of the Assembly of the Province of Ontario, and was in attendance of all meeting for the establishment of the Confederation. He was appointed as the first Lt-Governor of Manitoba after his initiative of purchasing Rupert's Land from the Hudson's Bay Company. For this, Riel and the Provisional Government abhorred him, and he was eventually removed from this office. [9]
Canadian Pacific Rail Company
The Canadian Pacific Rail was responsible for building a railway which would connect Canada from ocean-to-ocean. They received land from a contract which was signed by John A. MacDonald, though this later led to the Pacific Scandal. An original path was intended more north than what the final route was. This angered many white settlers who moved towards the original path, in hopes of future opportunities of business. These settlers later agreed to sign a petition by Louis Riel which demanded rights. [8]
Hudson's Bay Company
The Hudson's Bay Company owned most of the land in Canada prior to 1870, when it was ceded to the Dominion of Canada. The change of ownership outrage many Métis, who live the the Red River Colony inside what was Rupert's Land. The Métis were further angered when Canada sent surveyors to measure the land which supposedly belonged to the Métis. The HBC is held as responsible for making the Métis community vulnerable to oppression by the canadian government. [10]