Summary of the North-west Rebellion

Project done by Malin, Desiree, Ciarra, and Kaeli.

Background: Many Metis moved from Manitoba to the Fort Carlton region of the North-west
Territories after the Red Rebellion. Even though the Metis had some early victories, the Metis
were defeated at the siege of Batoche.

Social Organization: The government was very wealthy. Most settlers came from England. Most
Metis aboriginals moved toward Saskatchewan to live off the land there.

Political Structure: During 1885, Canada was a constitutional monarchy. Voting was based on
provincial law, not in the whole country.

Philosophy (ies) of the Government: The federal government were the ones who brought peace
and order to the land after the Red River uprising. The Metis and the settlers lived together
peacefully. Land strips were taken from the settlers and Metis by Ottawa.

Philosophy (ies) of the Revolutionaries: Louis Riel was the leader of the rebellion, which
consisted of Metis people. Some of the Metis strips of land were being sold or ignored by the
government. The Metis were fed up with the government not solving any problems. Gabriel
Dumont of Batoche was another leader.

The Spark: The way the North-West Rebellion started was due to fear and insecurity rising in
the Metis people. There were many violent battles and outbreaks in 1885. Hundreds of people
died. The federal troops won against the rebels. Indian treaties were accused of the
government not respecting them.

Events:

Battle at Duck Lake: March 26th, 1885. Around 15-200 Metis and Aboriginal warriors
were defeated by 90 Prince Albert volunteers and around 100 North-West mounted
police.
Looting of Battleford: March 30th, 1885. There was a shortage of food for a group of
raiding Cree people. The Cree people went and raided a police post and Hudsons Bay
company posts.
Frog Lake Massacre: April 2nd, 1885. A group of Cree raiding people attacked a small
town. They were led by Wandering Spirit, which was later hanged afterwards. This went
by as unfair treaties by the government.
Battle of Fort Pitt: April 15th, 1885. 200 Cree warriors came down from Fort Pitt. Police
killed a constable, wounded one and captured the third. Francis Dickens agreed to
negotiate with the attackers.
 Battle of Fish Creek: April 24th, 1885. About 200 Metis had won over the government
force which was numbers around 900 soldiers at Fish Creek. This temporarily halted
Major General Frederick Middletons advance on Batoche.

Events Continued:

Battle of Cut Knife: May 2nd, 1885. The Cree war chief, Fine-day had defeated Lieutenant
Colonel Willian Otter at the battle of Cut Knife nearby Battleford. Even though they had
overwhelming forces, they were defeated.
Battle of Batoche: May 9th, 1885. Middleton attacked Batoche itself. The outnumbered
Metis people used up all their ammunition, so they fired sharp objects and rocks. Riel
surrendered on the 15th. Gabriel and other members escaped across to the Montana
Territory of United States.
Battle of Frenchmans Buttle: May 28th, 1885. The Major General Thomas Bland Strange
brought a NWMP group to Calgary, Alberta. They couldnt defeat a Cree force.
Battle of Loon Lake: June 3rd, 1885. There was a small detachment of NWMP that were
under the command of the Major, Sam Steele. They managed to catch up to the Cree
people that were led by Big Bear. The Cree were forced to flee due to them running out
of ammunition.
The Hanging of Riel: Riels execution was postponed about three times. Riel was hanged
on November 16th, 1885 at Regina.

Famous/Important People of the Revolution:

Louis Riel: He was a Canadian politician, a founder of Manitoba and a political leader of
the Metis people. He was hung at Regina on November 16 th 1885.
Leif Crozier: He was more known as L.NF. Crozier. He was a militia officer and a
superintendent of the NWMP.
John A. Macdonald: He was the first Prime Minister of Canada. His political career had
spanned almost half a century. He was Prime Minister of Canada 1867 to 1873, and
1878 to 1891.
Gabriel Dumont: He was the leader of the Metis people in what is now Western Canada.
Dumont was elected to the presidency of the short-lived republic of St. Laurent.

Outcomes of the Rebellion: When the Metis were defeated at the battle of Batoche the North-
west resistance had ended. The First Nations community were losing their struggle for rights.
The Metis had to continue living among the expanding Canada state, while increasing hostility
towards their people.