coffinweb 2009 |
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Canadian History 621 Quick Notes |
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Louis Riel & The Métis Red River Rebellion (1869)
Who are the Métis? In Riel's time the Métis were people descended from French speaking voyageurs and the Aboriginal women they took as wives. Riel was Métis by way of his great grandmother, a Chippewa woman named Marie Joseph LeBlanc. All Riel's ancestors on his mother's side were white. Riel was, therefore, one eighth native.
The Provisional Government
Why Riel? Despite Riel's young age — just 24 — the Métis saw in him a leader. Despite Riel's young age — just 24 — the Métis saw in him a leader. He was educated, understood the Canadian political system and spoke fluent English. Most importantly, he identified with the Métis people and their cause. Early in the resistance, Riel negotiated directly with the Canadian government to establish Assiniboia (not Manitoba) as a province, until…
The Red River Expedition After the agreement was settled, Canada sent a military expedition, now known as the Red River Expedition to Manitoba to enforce federal authority in Manitoba. People in Ontario were outraged that Riel had been able to execute Scott without retribution. As the Red River Expedition headed west, outrage grew in Ontario over Scott's execution, and many Ontarians demanded that the Expedition be used to arrest Riel and suppress what they considered to be rebellion. Although Riel fled to the USA before the Expedition reached Upper Fort Garry, the arrival of the Expedition marked the end of the Rebellion.
Return to Red River Riel returned to Red River in the summer of 1871, but was forced to leave again when the Ontario government put a $5,000 bounty on him over the death of Thomas Scott.
Elected to the House of Commons Riel was also elected by acclamation to Parliament in the Manitoba riding of Provencher three times in 1873 and 1874, but never took his seat. The bounty was still on his head, and the government in Ottawa announced Riel would not be granted an amnesty in Manitoba without fulfilling one of two conditions. He could be banished to the United States for five years or serve two years in a Canadian prison. Riel opted for exile. Although unable to serve in Parliament, Riel did manage to sign the register once, but was thrown out.
While Living in Exile - He lived in North Dakota, Montana, and New York. - During his exile, he became a farmer and also a teacher. - He also spent some time in mental asylums in Quebec and New York.
Provisional Government: Part Two In March of 1885, Riel, Gabriel Dumont, and others set up the Provisional Government of Saskatchewan, believing that they could influence the federal government the same way they had in 1869. They passed a ‘Revolutionary Bill of Rights’ and took English prisoners around the area of Duck Lake, where a skirmish broke out between the NWMP and Metis/Aboriginals. Both sides suffered losses. More violence erupted in early April at Frog Lake when a group of Cree under Big Bear's command took several whites and Metis prisoner. Nine settlers died. By now, the Canadian army was advancing on the region, more quickly because of the railway. As a group of them made their way to Batoche, the Metis intercepted them at a place called Fish Creek. Also, the Northwest Mounted Police were patrolling the area and were prepared for possible uprisings.
Lack of Support Unlike the Red River Resistance, Riel did not have the full support of settlers in Saskatchewan. This time, Riel lacked support from both the English settlers of the area and many of the non-Metis natives, and - due to his belief that God had sent him back to Canada as a prophet - the Catholic Church no longer supported him either. Aboriginal tribes were also divided, some because of historical tribal animosity.
Batoche: The Final Battle The battle at Batoche, would be the last in the Northwest Rebellion. It lasted almost four days as the army’s troops sought to take over the provisional government and the Metis fought to defend it. Louis Riel surrendered on May 15, 1885. He felt that if the Canadians had custody of him they would go easier on the other Metis. English Canada, remembering the Thomas Scott affair, wanted the federal government to take tough measures against the Riel. By contrast, French Canada pressed the government to show leniency toward the French Catholic Riel. In the end, the federal government was determined to dispose of the man who had led two uprisings in the young country's history.
High Treason Riel was formally charged with high treason, a law that had been passed in Great Britain five centuries earlier. Riel's biographer, Maggie Siggins: "With so many headlines in English Canada, screaming for revenge, there was no way the government could consider for Riel anything but the most serious crime on the books." The mandatory sentence was death by hanging.
Insanity Defence Riel’s team of lawyers wanted Riel to plead insanity, but he refused. He saw his trial as an opportunity to explain the position of the Metis; he also felt that, if he used the insanity plea, his justification for the rebellion would be dismissed. His six man jury was chosen. All were English and only one knew any French.
The Trial Riel's trial for high treason was a national spectacle, manipulated by Ottawa. After a trial lasting five days, the jury was sent away to deliberate. One hour later they emerged and declared Riel guilty. The jury also recommended mercy for Riel. There were two quick appeals, both of which were turned down. The sentence was further delayed when public outcry in Quebec demanded Riel's mental state be examined. Riel still refused. Prime Minister Sir John A. Macdonald's advisors warned him of grave political consequences for his Conservative party in Quebec should the sentence be carried out. ‘He shall hang though every dog in Quebec bark in his favour.’
Execution and Aftermath Until his execution, Riel spent his time praying and consulting with priests. He also did quite a lot of writing: poetry, letters, and memoirs. His executioner—as it turned out—was one of the men held captive during the Red River Rebellion. It is said that his was a ‘quick death’ during which he suffered little. His body was transported to Winnipeg, where hundreds of mourners turned out for his funeral and mass at his home church, the St Boniface Cathedral. The trial and its aftermath divided the young country along French and English lines. Riel’s legacy persists today and symbolizes a nation’s continuing struggle to reconcile its linguistic, religious and racial differences.
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