The Hudson’s Bay Company had entered into a contract with the Dominion of Canada to sell the territory known as “Rupert’s Land”. Before the actual transfer of the property was completed, the Hudson’s Bay Company, no longer had authority over the lands. Thus, for a time, the area belonged to no one.
The Hudson’s Bay Company had provided warnings to the federal government that if the land was surveyed in accordance to British standards the residents would be in opposition. The land sold to the settlers had been surveyed in accordance with the method used by Lord Selkirk: narrow strips of land from the river’s edge which had been laid out similar to the French seigneurial system.
Riel Educated in Montreal
Louis Riel, a Métis, had been raised in the Red River settlement and educated in Montreal at the recommendation of the Archbishop of St-Boniface, Alexandre-Antonin Tache.
In August 1869 when the surveyors were on Métis land, a few decided to stake claim to land they desired. Louis Riel accompanied several Métis to approach the surveyors, and told them they could not survey the land nor stake any claim to it. A second incident occurred and the surveyors were asked to stop their surveys and leave the district. When Riel was summoned to speak to two justices of the peace about ceasing the opposition, he stated: “The Canadian government has no right to make surveys in the territory without the express permission of the people.”
Riel Seizes Fort Garry
On November 2, 1869, Louis Riel and his Métis followers seized Upper Fort Garry, later formed a provisional government to manage the settlers’ lives and protect their material goods; and continued to hold the fort and the territory until they forced the Dominion of Canada to negotiate terms. The political organization of the Métis continued as a convention of representatives from the Métis and Anglophone population was set up. Four "Lists of Rights" were drafted to form the basis of the negotiations leading to the entry of Manitoba into Canadian confederation. It was the final version of the “Lists of Rights” that became the basis for federal legislation.
Formation of Manitoba
The result was the formation of Manitoba, fifth province to the Dominion of Canada, created on May 12, 1870 and going into effect on July 15th, with special rights for the Métis and the French. English and French language rights were protected, as were Protestant and Catholic educational rights, the federal government retained ownership of the natural resources that revealed their intention to control development. Riel had asked for an amnesty clause that was never included.
To appease Ontario over the death of Thomas Scott, a participant in a failed attempt to overthrow Riel, the federal government sent a military force known as the Red River Expedition to enforce the peace at Fort Garry. When Colonel Wolesley and his troops finally arrived at the Red River settlement after an arduous journey through the wilderness on August 27, 1870, Louis Riel had fled to the United States.
Sources:
The Illustrated History of Canada, Edited by Craig Brown (2007)
The Penguin History of Canada, Robert Bothwell (2006)
Gibbet of Regina: The Truth of Riel by Napoleon Thompson (1886)
The Story of Manitoba, Vol. I, Frank Howard Schofield (1913) [1-pp.230]
Barbara Martin - Barbara Martin lives in Toronto, Ontario, writing articles on Canadian history and environmental concerns. She is author of A STASH OF ...
