The North West Rebellion

Transcription

The North West Rebellion
Death of an Era
Contents
1
2
North-West Rebellion
1
1.1
Background . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
1
1.2
Demographics . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
2
1.3
Conflicts . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
2
1.3.1
Battle of Duck Lake . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
2
1.3.2
Looting of Battleford . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
3
1.3.3
Frog Lake Massacre . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
3
1.3.4
Battle of Fort Pitt . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
3
1.3.5
Battle of Fish Creek . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
3
1.3.6
Battle of Cut Knife . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
4
1.3.7
Battle of Batoche . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
4
1.3.8
Battle of Frenchman’s Butte . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
4
1.3.9
Battle of Loon Lake . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
4
1.4
International attention . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
4
1.5
Aftermath . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
4
1.6
Legacy . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
5
1.7
Memorials . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
5
1.8
In fiction . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
6
1.9
See also . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
6
1.10 References . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
6
1.11 Further reading . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
9
1.11.1 Historiography . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
9
1.12 External links . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
10
Battle of Duck Lake
11
2.1
Prelude . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
11
2.2
Battle . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
12
2.3
Aftermath . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
12
2.4
Legacy . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
12
2.5
See also . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
12
2.6
References . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
13
2.7
External links . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
13
i
ii
3
4
5
6
7
8
CONTENTS
Looting of Battleford
14
3.1
Geography . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
14
3.2
Siege of Battleford . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
15
3.3
Aftermath . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
15
3.4
Overview . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
15
3.5
References . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
16
3.6
External links . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
16
Frog Lake Massacre
17
4.1
Causes
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
17
4.2
The massacre . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
17
4.3
Aftermath . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
18
4.4
Legacy . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
18
4.5
See also . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
18
4.6
References . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
18
4.7
Further reading . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
19
4.8
External links . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
19
Battle of Fort Pitt
20
5.1
Background . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
20
5.2
Battle . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
20
5.3
Legacy . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
21
5.4
References . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
21
Battle of Fish Creek
22
6.1
Battle . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
22
6.2
Maps . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
23
6.3
Legacy . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
23
6.4
References . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
23
6.5
External links . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
24
Battle of Cut Knife
25
7.1
Background . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
25
7.2
Battle . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
26
7.3
Maps . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
27
7.4
Conclusion . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
27
7.5
Legacy . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
27
7.6
See also . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
27
7.7
References . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
27
Battle of Batoche
29
8.1
Early advances and the crippling of the Northcote . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
29
8.2
Mission Ridge . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
30
CONTENTS
iii
8.3
Probing attacks of 10 May to 11 May . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
30
8.4
The storming of Batoche . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
30
8.5
Gallery . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
31
8.6
Aftermath . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
31
8.6.1
Casualties . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
31
8.6.2
Bell of Batoche . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
31
8.7
Legacy . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
31
8.8
Maps . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
32
8.9
Footnotes . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
32
8.10 References . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
32
Battle of Frenchman’s Butte
34
9.1
Background . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
34
9.2
The battle . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
34
9.3
Conclusion . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
35
9.4
Legacy . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
35
9.5
References . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
35
9
10 Battle of Loon Lake
36
10.1 Maps . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
36
10.2 Legacy . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
36
10.3 References . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
37
11 Louis Riel
38
11.1 Early life . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
38
11.2 Red River Rebellion . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
39
11.2.1 Riel emerges as a leader . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
39
11.2.2 Provisional government . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
40
11.2.3 Canadian resistance and the execution of Scott . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
40
11.2.4 Creation of Manitoba and the Wolseley expedition . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
40
11.3 Intervening years . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
41
11.3.1 Amnesty question . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
41
11.3.2 Exile and mental illness . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
41
11.3.3 Montana and family life . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
42
11.4 The North-West Rebellion . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
42
11.4.1 Grievances in the Saskatchewan territory . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
42
11.4.2 Return of Riel . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
43
11.4.3 Break with the church . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
43
11.4.4 Open rebellion . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
44
11.5 Trial for treason . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
44
11.6 Execution . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
45
11.7 Legacy . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
46
iv
CONTENTS
11.7.1 Political . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
46
11.8 Revoking Riel’s conviction . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
46
11.8.1 Historiography . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
46
11.8.2 Commemorations . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
47
11.8.3 Arts, literature and popular culture . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
48
11.9 See also . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
49
11.10Footnotes . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
49
11.11Further reading . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
53
11.11.1 Historiography . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
53
11.11.2 Primary sources . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
54
11.12External links . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
54
12 Gabriel Dumont (Métis leader)
55
12.1 Early life . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
55
12.2 Resistance . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
55
12.3 Later life . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
55
12.4 Legacy . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
56
12.5 See also . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
56
12.6 Footnotes . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
56
12.7 Further reading . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
56
12.7.1 Primary sources . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
56
12.8 External links . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
57
13 Frederick Dobson Middleton
58
13.1 Military career . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
58
13.2 Family . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
58
13.3 References
58
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
14 Pitikwahanapiwiyin
60
14.1 Name . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
60
14.2 Biography . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
60
14.2.1 North-West Resistance/Rebellion . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
60
14.2.2 Aftermath . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
61
14.3 Legacy . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
61
14.4 References . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
61
14.5 External links . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
62
15 Big Bear
63
15.1 Early life and leadership . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
63
15.2 Historical context . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
63
15.3 Conflict with other aboriginal tribes
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
64
15.4 Treaty 6 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
64
15.5 Life after Treaty 6 and the Trial of Big Bear . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
65
CONTENTS
15.6 Legacy
v
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
15.7 References
66
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
66
15.8 Further reading . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
67
15.9 External links . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
67
15.10Text and image sources, contributors, and licenses . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
68
15.10.1 Text . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
68
15.10.2 Images . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
70
15.10.3 Content license . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
73
Chapter 1
North-West Rebellion
government of Canada. The Métis believed that Canada
had failed to protect their rights, their land and their survival as a distinct people. Riel had been invited to lead
the movement but he turned it into a military action with
a heavily religious tone, thereby alienating the Catholic
clergy, the whites, nearly all of the Indians and most of
the Métis. He had a force of a couple hundred Métis and a
smaller number of Indians at Batoche in May 1885, confronting 900 government troops.[7][8]
Despite some notable early victories at Duck Lake, Fish
Creek and Cut Knife, the rebellion ended when the Métis
were defeated at the siege of Batoche. The remaining
Indian allies scattered. Riel was captured and put on
trial. He was convicted of treason and despite many
pleas across Canada for amnesty, he was hanged. Riel
became the heroic martyr to Francophone Canada and
ethnic tensions escalated into a major national division
that was never resolved.[9][10] Thanks to the key role
that the Canadian Pacific Railway played in transporting troops, Conservative political support for it increased
and Parliament authorized funds to complete the country’s first transcontinental railway. Although only a few
hundred
Duck people were directly affected in Saskatchewan,
the long-term result was that the Prairie Provinces would
be controlled by the Anglophones, not the Francophones.
A much more important long-term impact was the bitter alienation Francophones across Canada showed, and
anger against the repression of their countrymen.[11]
Lake
Battleford
Frog Lake
Fort Pitt
Fish Creek
Cut Knife
Batoche
Butte
Loon Lake
1.1 Background
After the Red River Rebellion of 1869–1870, many of
the Métis moved from Manitoba to the Fort Carlton region of the Northwest Territories, where they founded
the Southbranch settlements of Fish Creek, Batoche,
St. Laurent, St. Louis, and Duck Lake on or near
the South Saskatchewan River.[12][13] In 1882, surveyors began dividing the land of the newly formed District
of Saskatchewan in the square concession system. The
Métis lands were laid out in the seigneurial system of
strips reaching back from a river which the Métis were
familiar with in their French-Canadian culture.[9] A year
after the survey the 36 families of the parish of St.
The District of Saskatchewan in 1885
(within the black diamonds) included the central section
of Saskatchewan and extended into present-day Alberta
and Manitoba. The Métis conflict area is circled in black.
The North-West Rebellion (or the North-West Resistance, Saskatchewan Rebellion, Northwest Uprising,
or Second Riel Rebellion) of 1885 was a brief and unsuccessful uprising by the Métis people under Louis Riel,
and an associated uprising by First Nations Cree and
Assiniboine, of the District of Saskatchewan against the
1
2
Louis found that their land and village site that included
a church and a school (in Tsp 45 Rge 7 W2 of the
Dominion Land Survey) had been sold by the Government of Canada to the Prince Albert Colonization
Company.[14][15] Not having clear title the Métis feared
losing their land which, now that the buffalo herds were
gone,[16] was their primary source of sustenance.[10]
CHAPTER 1. NORTH-WEST REBELLION
• Map of Battle Sites
• Chronology of Events (The Northwest Resistance)
1.2 Demographics
In 1884, the Métis (including the Anglo-Métis) asked
Louis Riel to return from the United States, where he
had fled after the Red River Rebellion, to appeal to the
government on their behalf.[9] The government gave a
vague response. In March 1885, Riel, Gabriel Dumont,
Honoré Jackson (a.k.a. Will Jackson), and others set up
the Provisional Government of Saskatchewan, believing
that they could influence the federal government in the
same way as they had in 1869.
The District of Saskatchewan, part of the Northwest Territories in 1885, was divided into three sub-districts and
had a population of 10,595. To the east, the Carrot
River sub-district with 1,770 people remained quiet. The
Prince Albert sub-district located in the centre of the
district had a population of 5,373 which included the
Southbranch settlements with about 1,300. The Southbranch settlement was the centre of Louis Riel’s Provisional Government of Saskatchewan during the RebelThe role of aboriginal peoples prior to—and during— lion. To the west, where the Cree uprising led by Poundthe outbreak of the rebellion is often misunderstood. A maker and Big Bear occurred, was the Battleford sub[13][23]
number of factors have created the misconception that district with 3,603 people.
the Cree and Métis were acting in unison. By the end The largest settlement and the capital of the district was
of the 1870s, the stage was set for discontent among Prince Albert with about 800 people[24] followed by Batthe aboriginal people of the prairies: the bison popula- tleford with about 500 people who were “divided about
tion was in serious decline (creating enormous economic equally between French, Métis and English”.[25]
difficulties)[17] and, in an attempt to assert control over
The Métis population in Saskatchewan in 1885 was about
aboriginal settlement, the federal government often vi5400. A majority tried to stay neutral in the dispute with
olated the terms of the treaties it had signed during the
the national government, as the priests recommended.
[18]
latter part of the decade.
Thus, widespread dissatisAbout 350 armed men supported Riel.[26] A smaller numfaction with the treaties and rampant poverty spurred Big
ber opposed him, led by Charles Nolin. in addition he
Bear, a Cree chief, to embark on a diplomatic campaign
had the support of a small number of the Indians. Riel’s
to renegotiate the terms of the treaties (the timing of this
supporters included the older, less assimilated Métis, ofcampaign happened to coincide with an increased sense
ten with close associations with the Indian population.
[19]
of frustration among the Métis).
When the Cree iniMany moved back and forth into Indian communities and
tiated violence in the spring of 1885, it was almost cerpreferred to speak Indian languages more than French.
tainly unrelated to the revolt of Riel and the Métis (which
Riel’s opponents were younger, better educated Métis;
was already underway). In both the Frog Lake Massacre
they wanted to be more integrated into Canadian society,
and the Siege of Fort Battleford, small dissident groups
not to set up a separate domain as Riel promised.[27]
of Cree men revolted against the authority of Big Bear
and Poundmaker.[20] Although he quietly signalled to Ottawa that these two incidents were the result of desperate
and starving people and were, as such, unrelated to the 1.3 Conflicts
rebellion, Edgar Dewdney, the lieutenant-governor of the
territories, publicly claimed that the Cree and the Métis Riel had been invited in to lead the movement but he
had joined forces.[21]
turned it into a military action with a heavily religious
For Riel and the Métis, several factors had changed since
the Red River Rebellion. The railway had been completed across the prairies in 1883, though sections were
still under construction north of Lake Superior, making
it easier for the government to get troops into the area.
In addition, the North-West Mounted Police (NWMP)
had been created, developing an armed local force. Riel
lacked support from English settlers of the area as well
as the great majority of tribes. Riel’s claim that God had
sent him back to Canada as a prophet caused Catholic officials (who saw it as heresy) to try to minimize his support. The Catholic priest, Albert Lacombe, worked to
obtain assurances from Crowfoot that his Blackfoot warriors would not participate in a rebellion.[22]
tone, thereby alienating the Catholic clergy, the whites,
nearly all of the Indians, and most of the Métis. He had a
force of a couple hundred Métis and a smaller number of
Indians at Batoche in May 1885, confronting 8000 government troops.[7][8]
1.3.1 Battle of Duck Lake
Main article: Battle of Duck Lake
On March 26, 1885, the 150 to 200 Métis and Aboriginal warriors under the command of Gabriel Dumont defeated a combined group of 90 Prince Albert Volunteers
1.3. CONFLICTS
3
and North-West Mounted Police led by their superintendent Leif Newry Fitzroy Crozier at Duck Lake, outside
Batoche.[28]
In response, the federal government sent Major General Frederick Middleton in command of 3,000 troops to
the area, where Middleton incorporated another 2,000,
mostly English-Canadian, volunteers and 500 NorthWest Mounted Police into his force.[1]
1.3.2
Main article: Looting of Battleford
The Battle of Fish Creek
On March 30, 1885, a raiding party of Cree people, short
of food due to declining bison populations, approached
Battleford. The inhabitants fled to the nearby North-West
Mounted Police post, Fort Battleford. The Cree then took
food and supplies from the empty stores and houses.[29]
As well, Cree insurgents looted Hudson’s Bay Company
posts at Lac la Biche and Green Lake on April 26.[30]
1.3.3
Frog Lake Massacre
Main article: Frog Lake Massacre
Troops on the march, North West Rebellion, Qu'Appelle Valley,
On April 2, 1885, near Frog Lake, Saskatchewan (now 1885
in Alberta) a Cree raiding party led by Wandering Spirit
attacked a small town. Angered by what seemed to be unfair treaties and the withholding of vital provisions by the
Canadian government, and also by the dwindling buffalo
population, their main source of food, Big Bear and his
Cree decided to rebel after the successful Métis victory
at Duck Lake. They gathered all the white settlers in the
area into the local church. They killed Thomas Quinn,
the town’s Indian Agent, after a disagreement broke out.
The Cree then attacked the settlers, killing eight more and
taking three captive.[5][31][32]
The massacre prompted the Canadian government to take
notice of the growing unrest in the North-West Territories. When the rebellion was put down, the government
hanged Wandering Spirit, the war chief responsible for
Batoche battlefield map
the Frog Lake Massacre.
1.3.4
Battle of Fort Pitt
the fort. Six days later, Inspector Dickens and his men
reached safety at Battleford.[33]
Main article: Battle of Fort Pitt
On April 15, 1885, 200 Cree warriors descended on Fort
Pitt. They intercepted a police scouting party, killing a
constable, wounding another, and captured a third. Surrounded and outnumbered, garrison commander Francis
Dickens capitulated and agreed to negotiate with the attackers. Big Bear released the remaining police officers but kept the townspeople as hostages and destroyed
1.3.5 Battle of Fish Creek
Main article: Battle of Fish Creek
On April 24, 1885, at Fish Creek, Saskatchewan, 200
Métis achieved a remarkable victory over a superior government force numbering 900 soldiers who were sent
4
but they were unable to defeat a Cree force under Big
Bear who carried the day at Frenchman’s Butte at the end
of May.[38]
1.3.9 Battle of Loon Lake
Main article: Battle of Loon Lake
The Battle of Batoche begins
On June 3, 1885, a small detachment of North-West
Mounted Police under the command of Major Sam Steele
caught up to a band of Cree led by Big Bear who were
moving northward after their victory at Frenchman’s
Butte. The Cree were almost out of ammunition, and
were forced to flee after a short exchange of fire and the
release of their hostages.[39]
to quell the rebellion. The reversal, though not decisive enough to alter the outcome of the war, temporarily halted Major General Frederick Middleton’s column’s 1.4 International attention
advance on Batoche. That was where the Métis would
later make their final stand.[34]
While the North-West Rebellion was ongoing, the American and British press took note of the actions of both the
Métis and the Canadian Government. Different newspa1.3.6 Battle of Cut Knife
pers, such as the British Times and Guardian wrote approvingly of the actions taken by the Canadian governMain article: Battle of Cut Knife
ment and by extension, the British Empire against what
was seen as another 'native' uprising.[40]
On May 2, 1885, the Cree war chief Fine-Day defeated
Lieutenant Colonel William Otter at the Battle of Cut
Knife near Battleford. Despite their use of a Gatling gun, 1.5 Aftermath
a flying column of Canadian militia and army regulars,
government forces were defeated. Fine-Day was affiliated with the chief Poundmaker. Big Bear would not get
involved.[35][36]
1.3.7
Battle of Batoche
Main article: Battle of Batoche
On May 9, 1885, Middleton attacked Batoche itself. The
greatly outnumbered Métis ran out of ammunition after
three days of battle and siege. The Métis resorted to firing sharp objects and small rocks from their guns, until
they were killed or dispersed when Middleton’s soldiers
advanced in strength and overran their rifle pits. Riel surrendered on May 15. Gabriel Dumont and other participants escaped across the border to the Montana Territory
of the United States.[37]
Métis and First Nation prisoners following the rebellion, August
1885.
Demoralized, defenceless, and with no hope of relief after the surrender of the Métis and Poundmaker, most
of the Cree surrendered over the next few weeks. On
July 2 Big Bear surrendered to the NWMP on an island in the Saskatchewan River near Fort Carlton. The
government pacified the Cree and Assiniboine by send1.3.8 Battle of Frenchman’s Butte
ing them food and other supplies. Poundmaker and Big
Bear were sentenced to prison. Eight other Aboriginal
Main article: Battle of Frenchman’s Butte
leaders were hanged in the largest mass hanging in Canadian history.[41] Riel was tried and hanged as well, sparkOn May 28, 1885, Major General Thomas Bland Strange ing a national controversy between French and British
brought an NWMP detachment from Calgary, Alberta, Canada.[10]
1.7. MEMORIALS
5
tence caused lasting upset in Quebec, and led to a fundamental francophone distrust of Anglophone politicians.
French Canada felt it had been unfairly targeted.[45]
1.7 Memorials
Riel speaks at his trial, which took place in July 1885 and lasted
only five days
The Canadian Pacific Railway (CPR) played a key role in
the government’s response to the Rebellion, as it was able
to transport federal troops to the area quickly. While it
had taken three months to get troops to the Red River Rebellion, the government was able to move forces in nine
days by train in response to events in the North-West Territories. The successful operation increased political support for the floundering and incomplete railway, which
had been close to financial collapse. The government authorized enough funds to finish the line. Thus, Prime
Minister John A. Macdonald was able to realize his National Dream of linking Canada across the continent.
In what is now Saskatchewan, shortly after the fighting,
the first modern-style election took place in the NorthWest Territories election of 1885. The Scrip Commission
was dispatched to the District of Saskatchewan to address
the issue of Métis land claims.[42][43]
In the spring of 2008, Tourism, Parks, Culture and Sport
Minister Christine Tell proclaimed in Duck Lake, that
“the 125th commemoration, in 2010, of the 1885 Northwest Rebellion is an excellent opportunity to tell the story
of the prairie Métis and First Nations peoples’ struggle
with Government forces and how it has shaped Canada
today.”[46]
Batoche, where a Métis Provisional Government had
been formed, has been declared a National Historic Site.
Batoche marks the site of Gabriel Dumont’s grave site,
Albert Caron’s House, Batoche school, Batoche cemetery, Letendre store, Dumont’s river crossing, Gariépy’s
crossing, Batoche crossing, St. Antoine de Padoue
Church, Métis rifle pits, and RNWMP battle camp.[47][48]
BATOCHE. In 1872, Xavier Letendre dit Batoche
founded a village at this site where Métis freighters
crossed the South Saskatchewan River. About 50 families had claimed the river lots in the area by 1884.
Widespread anxiety regarding land claims and a changing economy provoked a resistance against the Canadian
Government. Here, 300 Métis and Indians led by Louis
Riel and Gabriel Dumont fought a force of 800 men commanded by Major-General Middleton between May 9 and
12, 1885. The resistance failed but the battle did not
mean the end of the community of Batoche.
The Rebellion was Canada’s first independent military action. It cost about $5 million, and lost the Conservative
Party most of their support in Quebec. It guaranteed An- Historic Sites and Monuments board of Canada. Governglophone control of the Prairies, and demonstrated the ment of Canada [49]
national government was capable of decisive action.[44]
Fort Carlton Provincial Historic site has been rebuilt as it
had been ravaged by three separate fires. Big Bear (Mistahimaskwa) had used the site in his initial negotiations
1.6 Legacy
for Treaty Six in about 1884, and finally, the following
year he surrendered here after his engagement at Steele
Narrows.[50][51] The Prince Albert blockhouse was emMain article: Louis Riel § Legacy
ployed by the North-West Mounted Police on evacuating from Fort Carlton after the first fire.[52] Duck Lake is
The Saskatchewan Métis’ requested land grants; they home to the Duck Lake Historical Museum and the Duck
were all provided by the government by the end of 1887, Lake Regional Interpretive Centre, and murals which reand the government resurveyed the Métis river lots in ac- flect the history of the Rebellion in the area. The Battle of
cordance with their wishes. The Métis did not understand Duck Lake, the Duck Lake Massacre, and a buffalo jump
the long term value of their new land, however, and sold are all located here. The “First Shots Cairn” was erected
much of it to speculators who later resold it to farmers. on Saskatchewan Highway 212 as a landmark commemThe French language and Catholic religion faced increas- orating the scene of the first shots in the Battle of Duck
ing marginalisation in both Saskatchewan and Manitoba, Lake. The Our Lady of Lourdes Shrine at St. Laurent
as exemplified by the emerging controversy surrounding north of Duck Lake is a local pilgrimage site.[53][54][55][56]
the Manitoba Schools Question. The Métis themselves The Battle of Fish Creek National Historic Site, the name
were increasingly forced to live on undesirable land or in has been changed to Tourond’s Coulee / Fish Creek Nathe shadow of Indian reserves (as they did not themselves tional Historic Site to preserve the battlefield of April
have treaty status as Indians with a right to land).
24, 1885, at la coulée des Tourond , Madame Tourond’s
Riel’s trial and Macdonald’s refusal to commute his sen- home, early Red River cart Fish Creek Trail and the site
6
of Middleton’s camp and graveyard.[57]
“North West Rebellion - Fish Creek - While General
Middleton was moving to capture Batoche his forces were
attacked on the 24th April 1885, by the Half-breeds under Gabriel Dumont from concealed rifle pits near the
mouth of Fish Creek. The rebels were defeated and
driven from the field. Erected 1933.”
National Historic Sites and Monuments Board[58]
The Marr Residence is a municipal heritage property of
Saskatoon which served as a field hospital for wounded
soldiers of the rebellion.[59][60][61] Fort Otter was constructed at Battleford's government house located at the
capital of the North-West Territories. Poundmaker was
arrested at Fort Battleford and sentenced to a prison
term. Eight First Nations men were hanged, five due to
participation in the Frog Lake Massacre, two for murders in the Battleford area, and one for the killing of a
Mountie at Fort Pitt on April 15.[62] Fort Battleford has
been declared a National Historic site of Canada to commemorate its role as military base of operations for Cut
Knife Hill, Fort Pitt, as a refuge for 500 area settlers
and its role in the Siege of Battleford.[52][63][64][65] Fort
Pitt, the scene of the Battle of Fort Pitt, is a Provincial
Park and National Historic site where a National Historic
Sites and Monuments plaque designates where Treaty Six
was signed.[66][67][68] Frog Lake Massacre National Historic Site of Canada, at Frog Lake, Alberta, is the location of a Cree uprising that occurred in the District
of Saskatchewan North-west Territories.[69] Frenchman
Butte is a National Historic Site of Canada. It is the
location of a 1885 battle between Cree and Canadian
troops.[70][71]
“Cut Knife Battlefield. Named after Chief Cut Knife of
the Sarcee in an historic battle with the Cree. On 2nd May
1885, Lt. Col. W. D. Otter led 325 troops composed of
North-West Mounted Police, “B” Battery, “C” Company,
Foot Guards, Queen’s Own and Battleford Rifles, against
Cree and Assiniboine under Poundmaker and Fine Day.
After an engagement of six hours, the troops retreated to
Battleford.”
building built in 1885, is still standing. It was used to jail
Indian prisoners. One of three Territorial Government
Buildings remains on Dewdney Avenue in the provincial
capital city of Regina which was the site of the Trial of
Louis Riel, where the drama the Trial of Louis Riel is
still performed. Following the May trial, Louis Riel was
hanged November 16, 1885. The RCMP Heritage Centre, in Regina, opened in May 2007.[79][80][81] The Métis
brought his body to Saint-Vital, his mother’s home, now
the Riel House National Historic Site, and then interred it
at the Saint-Boniface Basilica in Manitoba, his birthplace,
for burial.[82][83] Highway 11, stretching from Regina to
just south of Prince Albert, has been named Louis Riel
Trail by the province; the roadway passes near locations
of the 1885 rebellion.[84]
1.8 In fiction
• Stewart Sterling's Red Trails (1935) depicted the
pulp hero Eric Lewis, a Mountie of the Royal Northwest Mounted Police. He tries to keep “peace and
order” during the North-West Rebellion, helped by
Sergeant Tim Clone.[85]
• The novel for young adults called Battle Cry at Batoche, by B. J. Bayle, portrays the events of the
North-West Resistance from a Métis person point
of view.
• Lord of the Plains, by Albert Silver, c 1990, Ballantine Books. Spur Award Finalist. Focuses on
Gabriel Dumont and his family.
1.9 See also
• Index of articles related to Aboriginal Canadians
• The Canadian Crown and Aboriginal peoples
• Provisional Government of Saskatchewan
• History of Canada
At Cutknife is the world’s largest tomahawk, the Poundmaker Historical Centre and Big Bear monument erected
by cairn erected by the Historic Sites and Monuments
Board of Canada. There is also now, correctly located, a cairn erected upon Cut Knife Hill the look
site of the Poundmaker Battle site and Battle River
valley.[73][74][75][76] The Narrows between Makwa Lake
and
• Military history of Canada
Sanderson Bay, in the Makwa Lake Provincial Park, was
the site of the last engagement of the rebellion. Steele
Narrows Provincial Historic Park conserves the lookout
point of a Cree burial ground.[77][78] The Royal Canadian
Mounted Police training depot at Regina was established
in 1874, and still survives. The RCMP chapel, a frame
• List of conflicts in Canada
• George Stanley – A historian of the Riel Rebellions
• Looting of Green Lake House
1.10 References
[1] Panet, Charles Eugène (1886), Report upon the suppression of the rebellion in the North-West Territories and matters in connection therewith, in 1885: Presented to Parliament., Ottawa: Department of Militia and Defence, retrieved 2014-04-10
1.10. REFERENCES
7
[2] Mulvaney, Charles Pelham (1885), The history of the
North-West Rebellion of 1885 (The Troops in the Field),
Toronto: A.H. Hovey & Co, p. 422, retrieved 2014-0410
[17] James Rodger Miller (2000). Skyscrapers Hide the Heavens: A History of Indian-white Relations in Canada. University of Toronto Press. p. 171. ISBN 978-0-80208153-7.
[3] Panet, Charles Eugène (1886), Report upon the suppression of the rebellion in the North-West Territories and matters in connection therewith, in 1885: Presented to Parliament.(p.20), Ottawa: Department of Militia and Defence,
retrieved 2014-04-10
[18] Miller, J. R. Skyscrapers Hide The Heavens: A History of
Indian-White Relations in Canada. Toronto: University of
Toronto Press, 1989. 174.
[20] J. R. Miller, Skyscrapers Hide The Heavens: A History of
Indian-White Relations in Canada (University of Toronto
Press, 1989) p. 182.
[5] John Chaput (2007). “Frog Lake Massacre”. The Encyclopedia of Saskatchewan. University of Regina and
Canadian Plains Research Center. Retrieved 8 June 2010.
North-West Rebellion of 1885 p.327, Toronto: A.H.
Hovey & Co, retrieved 2014-04-10
[7] James Rodger Miller (2004). Reflections on Nativenewcomer Relations: Selected Essays. University of
Toronto Press. p. 44.
[8] Thomas Flanagan, Riel and the Rebellion: 1885 Reconsidered (2000) pp 3-4
[9] “North-west resistance”. Encyclopedia of Saskatchewan.
Canadian Plains Research Center, University of Regina.
2006. Retrieved 2013-09-17.
[10] “The Quebec History Encyclopedia (North-West Rebellion)". The Quebec History Encyclopedia. Claude
Bélanger, Marianopolis College. 2007. Retrieved 201311-19.
[11] J. M. Bumsted, The Peoples of Canada:
Confederation History (1992), pp xiii, 31
A Post-
[12] Henry Thomas McPhillips (1888), McPhillips’ alphabetical and business directory of the district of Saskatchewan,
N.W.T.: Together with brief historical sketches of Prince
Albert, Battleford and the other settlements in the district,
1888 (pages 93-97), Prince Albert, NWT: Henry Thomas
McPhillips, retrieved 2014-04-10
[13] “FRENCH AND MÉTIS SETTLEMENTS”. Encyclopedia of Saskatchewan. Canadian Plains Research Center,
University of Regina. 2006. Retrieved 2013-09-17.
[14] “North West Rebellion”. The Globe (Toronto). 1885-1226. Retrieved 2013-12-11.
[15] Richard Cole Harris; Geoffrey J. Matthews; R. Louis
Gentilcore (1987). Historical Atlas of Canada: The land
transformed, 1800-1891. University of Toronto Press. p.
93. ISBN 978-0-8020-3447-2. Retrieved 2014-04-10.
[16] John Elgin Foster; Dick Harrison; I. S. MacLaren (1 January 1992). Buffalo. University of Alberta. pp. 73–74.
ISBN 978-0-88864-237-0.
[19] Friesen, Gerald. The Canadian Prairies: A History.
Toronto: University of Toronto Press, 1984. 226.
[21] Arthur J. Ray, I Have Lived Here Since The World Began:
An Illustrated History of Canada’s Native People ( Toronto:
Key Porter Books, 2005) p 221.
[22] Dempsey, Hugh A. (1957). The Early West. Edmonton:
Historical Society of Alberta. p. 21.
1888 (page 23), Prince Albert, NWT: Henry Thomas
Albert, Battleford and the other settlements in the district, 1888 (p. 65), Prince Albert, NWT: Henry Thomas
[26] D.N. Sprague (1988). Canada and the Métis, 1869-1885.
Wilfrid Laurier Univ. Press. pp. 164, 173.
[27] David Lee, “The Metis militant rebels of 1885.” Canadian
Ethnic Studies/ Etudes Ethniques au Canada (1989) 21#3
pp 1+
North-West Rebellion of 1885 (The Duck Lake Disaster)
p.30, Toronto: A.H. Hovey & Co, retrieved 2014-04-10
North-West Rebellion of 1885 (The War Cloud Bursts on
Battleford) p.76, Toronto: A.H. Hovey & Co, retrieved
2014-04-10
[30] Beal and Macleod, Prairie Fire, p. 234-235
Historical Society of Alberta. p. 1. Retrieved 2014-0410.
[32] William Bleasdell Cameron (1888), The war trail of Big
Bear (The Frog Lake Massacre), Toronto: Ryerson Press
(published 1926), retrieved 2014-04-10
8
Bear (The Fall of Fort Pitt), Toronto: Ryerson Press (published 1926)
[50] “Fort Carlton Provincial Park - Tourism, Parks, Culture
and Sport -". Government of Saskatchewan. Retrieved
2009-09-20.
North-West Rebellion of 1885 (The Battle of Fish Creek)
[51] “Virtual Saskatchewan - Fur Trading at Fort Carlton”.
1997–2007. Retrieved 2009-09-20.
North-West Rebellion of 1885 (The Battle of Cut Knife
Creek) p.156, Toronto: A.H. Hovey & Co, retrieved 201404-10
North-West Rebellion of 1885 (The Battle at Batoche’s
Ferry) p.197, Toronto: A.H. Hovey & Co
Bear (The Battle of Frenchman’s Butte), Toronto: Ryerson
Press (published 1926)
[52] Payette, Pete; Phil Payette (2006). “Saskatchewan Forts:
Northwest Rebellion”. 2006 American Forts Network.
Retrieved 2009-09-20.
[53] “History of Duck Lake and Area”. Duck Lake Regional
Interpretive Centre. Retrieved 2009-09-20.
[54] “Attractions and Tourism - Town of Duck Lake,
Saskatchewan”. M.R. Internet. Town of Duck Lake.
2007. Retrieved 2009-09-20.
[55] McLennan, David (2006). “Duck Lake - The Encyclopedia of Saskatchewan”. Canadian Plains Research Center
University of Regina. Retrieved 2009-09-20.
[56] “Battleford, Batoche & Beyond tour along the Yellowhead
Highway”. Yellowhead IT! Travel Magazine. Yellowhead
Highway Association. Retrieved 2009-09-20.
Bear (Battle of Loon Lake), Toronto: Ryerson Press (published 1926)
[57] “Parks Canada”. Battle of Tourond’s Coulee / Fish Creek
National Historic Site of Canada. Retrieved 2009-0920.html
[40] Read, Geoff; Webb, Todd (2012). “The Catholic Mahdi
of the North West': Louis Riel and the Metis Resistance in
Transatlantic and Imperial Context”. Canadian Historical
Review 93 (2): 171–195.
[58] “Fish Creek The Virtual Museum of Métis History and
Culture”. Gabriel Dumont Institute of Native Studies and
Applied Research. Retrieved 2009-09-20.
Bear (The Indian Trials), Toronto: Ryerson Press (published 1926)
[42] “Northwest “Half-breed” Scrip”. Métis National Council
Historical Database. Retrieved 2013-11-21.
[43] “Our Legacy (Metis Scrip)". University of Saskatchewan.
[44] Flanagan, Riel and the Rebellion: 1885 Reconsidered
(2000) pp 4-8
[45] Mason Wade, The French Canadians: 1760-1967 (1968)
1:416-23
[46] “Tourism agencies to celebrate the 125th anniversary
of the Northwest Resistance/Rebellion”. Home/About
Government/News Releases/June 2008. Government of
Saskatchewan. June 7, 2008. Retrieved 2009-09-20.
[47] “Batoche The Virtual Museum of Métis History and Culture”. Gabriel Dumont Institute of Native Studies and Applied Research. Retrieved 2009-09-20.
[48] “Parks Canada Batoche National Historic Site of Canada”.
Government of Canada. 2009-06-22. Retrieved 200909-20.
[49] Historic Sites and Monuments board of Canada. Government of Canada (21 Nov 2004). “Welcome To Saskatoon,
Saskatchewan Region Gen Web Batoche / Fish Creek
Photo Gallery”. Saskatoon Gen Web. online by Julia
Adamson. Retrieved 2009-09-20.
[59] “Municipal Heritage Properties - Marr Residence”. City
of Saskatoon - Development Services Branch. 2007. Retrieved 2009-03-20.
[60] Men of the city, Committee of the Historical Association of Saskatoon (Published online 30-Jan-2005).
“Saskatoon Gen Web Project - Narratives of Saskatoon
1882-1912” (Published online Julia Adamson). University of Saskatchewan Book store. Retrieved 2009-09-20.
Check date values in: |date= (help)
[61] “The Marr Residence”. Retrieved 2014-04-10.
[62] Beal and Macleod, Prairie Fire, p. 332
[63] “Saskatchewan settlement experience”. 1880-1890 North-west Rebellion The 'siege of Battleford' as reported
in the Saskatchewan Herald. Saskatchewan Archives
Board Site by OH! Media - Regina Web Design. 2005.
Retrieved 2009-09-20. line feed character in |publisher=
at position 28 (help)
[64] “Parks Canada - Fort Battleford National Historic Site
- History”. Government of Canada. 2009-06-22. Retrieved 2009-09-20.
[65] Yanko, Dave (1997–2007). “Virtual Saskatchewan - Fort
Battleford National Historic Site”. Retrieved 2009-09-20.
[66] “Fort Pitt Provincial Park - Tourism, Parks, Culture and
Sport -". Government of Saskatchewan. Retrieved 200909-20.
[67] “Fort Pitt Provincial Park”. Retrieved 2014-04-10.
1.11. FURTHER READING
[68] Beal, Bob (1 September 2007). “Fort Pitt”. HistoricaDominion. The Canadian Encyclopedia Historica foundation. Archived from the original on June 7, 2011. Retrieved 2009-09-20.
[69] “Parks Canada - National Historic Sites in Alberta - National Historic Sites in Alberta”. Government of Canada.
[70] “Parks Canada - National Historic Sites of Canada - administered by Parks Canada”. Government of Canada.
2009-01-20. Retrieved 2009-09-20.
[71] Chaput, John (2006). “Frog Lake Massacre”. Canadian
Plains Research Center University of Regina. Retrieved
2009-09-20.
[72] “Our Legacy”. University of Saskatchewan Archives,
University of Saskatchewan Library, and Pahkisimon
Nuye?ah Library System. 2008. Retrieved 2009-09-20.
[73] Brown., Brian M (July 4, 2002). “Poundmaker Historical
Centre and Big Bear monument”. Retrieved 2009-09-20.
[74] McLennan, David (2006). “Cut Knife”. Canadian Plains
Research Center University of Regina. Retrieved 200909-20.
[75] Yanciw, David (August 10, 2001). “Town of Cut Knife,
Saskatchewan”. Big Things of Saskatchewan. Retrieved
2009-09-20.
[76] Davidson, Keith (2002). “Everyone Chuckled - A Rebellion Story Taking From Keith Davidson’s “Looking Back
Series"". Saskatchewan Indian First Nations Periodical Index Search Winter 2002 v31 n01 p15. Archived from the
original on December 10, 2008. Retrieved 2009-09-20.
[77] “Steele Narrows Provincial Park”. Retrieved 2014-04-10.
[78] “Makwa”. Sasl Biz community profiles. Enterprise
Saskatchewan Government of Saskatchewan. Retrieved
2009-09-20.
[79] “Regina History Guide Tour”. Saskatchewan Genealogical Society - Regina Branch. Retrieved 2009-09-20.
[80] “RCMP traditions centre in Regina” (republished online Saskatchewan News Index 1884-2000 University of
Saskatchewan Libraries.). Top News Stories Beginnings
and Landmarks. Leader-Post. May 16, 1955. p.13. Retrieved 2009-09-20. Check date values in: |date= (help)
[81] “History of the Royal Canadian Mounted Police”.
Mounted Police Post. Retrieved 2009-09-20.
[82] “Explore Our Heritage; Louis Riel 1844–1885”.
CHTS Home Manitoba Heritage Council Commemorative Plaques. Government of Manitoba. Retrieved
2009-09-20.
[83] “Manitoba History Red River Resistance”. Number 29,
Spring 1995. Manitoba Historical Society. 1998–2009.
[84] “Scenic Routes – The Louis Riel Trail”. Tourism
Saskatchewan. Government of Saskatchewan. Retrieved
2007-09-24.
[85] See http://web.archive.org/web/20091027131214/http://
www.geocities.com/jjnevins/pulpsl.html
9
1.11 Further reading
Main article: Louis Riel § Further reading
• Barkwell, Lawrence J. Veterans and Families of the
1885 Northwest Resistance (Saskatoon: Gabriel Dumont Institute, 2011) ISBN 978-1-926795-03-4
• Barkwell, Lawrence J. (2005), Batoche 1885: The
Militia of the Metis Liberation Movement, Winnipeg:
Manitoba Metis Federation, ISBN 0-9683493-3-1
• Barrett, Matthew. "'Hero of the Half-Breed Rebellion': Gabriel Dumont and Late Victorian Military
Masculinity.” Journal of Canadian Studies/Revue
d'études canadiennes 48#3 (2014): 79-107.
• Beal, Bob & Macleod, Rod (1984), Prairie Fire: The
1885 North-West Rebellion, Toronto: McClelland &
Stewart, ISBN 978-0-7710-1109-2
• Flanagan, Thomas (2000), Riel and the Rebellion:
1885 Reconsidered (2nd ed.), Toronto: University
of Toronto Press, ISBN 0-8020-4708-4
• Mulvany, Charles Pelham (1886), The History of the
North-west Rebellion of 1885, Toronto: A.H. Hovey
& Co.
• Morton, Desmond (1972), The last war drum: the
North West campaign of 1885, Toronto: Hakkert,
ISBN 0-88866-512-1, military history
• Stonechild, Blair & Waiser, Bill (1997), Loyal Till
Death: Indians and the North-West Rebellion, Calgary: Fifth House, ISBN 1-895618-88-6
• Thistle, Jesse. “The 1885 Northwest Resistance:
Causes to the Conflict.” HPS History and Political
Science Journal 3 (2014). online
• Wade, Mason. The French Canadians; 1760-1967:
vol 2: 1911-1967 (1968) pp 393–446 online
• Waite, Peter B. Canada 1874-1896 (McClelland &
Stewart, 1978), pp 146–74
1.11.1 Historiography
• Dick, Lyle. “Nationalism and Visual Media in
Canada: The Case of Thomas Scott’s Execution.”
Manitoba History (Autumn/Winter2004-05), Issue
48, pp 2–18. online
• R. Douglas Francis; Richard Jones; Donald B. Smith
(2009). Journeys: A History of Canada. Cengage
Learning. pp. 306–7., short summary of historians’
views
10
• Lee, David.
“The Metis militant rebels of
1885.” Canadian Ethnic Studies/ Etudes Ethniques
au Canada (1989) 21#3 pp 1+ online
• Miller, J. R. “From Riel to the Metis.” Canadian
Historical Review 69#1 (1988): 1-20.
• James Rodger Miller, “From Riel to the Métis”
(2004). Reflections on Native-newcomer Relations: Selected Essays. University of Toronto
Press. pp. 37–60., historiography
• Morton, Desmond. “Image of Louis Riel in 1998,”
Canadian Speeches (May 1998) 12#2 online
• Reid, Jennifer; Long, Charles & Carrasco, David
(2008), Louis Riel and the Creation of Modern
Canada: Mythic Discourse and the Postcolonial
State, Albuquerque: University of New Mexico
Press, ISBN 978-0-8263-4415-1
• Sprague, D.N. (1988). Canada and the Métis, 18691885. Wilfrid Laurier Univ. Press.
• Stanley, George F.G. Louis Riel: Patriot or Rebel?
Canadian Historical Association Booklet No. 2
(1979) online
1.12 External links
• (Métis) Heroes of the 1885 Northwest Resistance.
Summary of those Killed.
• Encyclopedia of Saskatchewan
• Diary of Walter F. Stewart, a first hand account of a
man who was there
Chapter 2
Battle of Duck Lake
ment of Saskatchewan.[4] The skirmish lasted approximately 30 minutes, after which Superintendent Leif
Newry Fitzroy Crozier of the NWMP, his forces having
endured fierce fire with twelve killed and eleven wounded,
called for a general retreat.[5] The battle is considered
the initial engagement of the North-West Rebellion. Although Louis Riel proved to be victorious at Duck Lake,
the general agreement among historians is that the battle
was strategically a disappointment to his cause.
2.1 Prelude
On March 19, 1885, Louis Riel self-affirmed the
existence of the new Provisional Government of
Saskatchewan.[6] Following Riel’s declaration, the
Canadian government sought to reassert their control
over the turbulent territory. Leif Crozier, the newly
appointed NWMP superintendent and commander of
North-Western Saskatchewan’s forces, requested immediate reinforcement to Fort Carlton because he feared
the growing instability created by Riel and the ever
Duck
growing possibility of a First Nations uprising.[7] Riel
dispatched emissaries to deliver an ultimatum calling
for the surrender of Fort Carlton without bloodshed.
Crozier’s representatives rejected the demand and vowed
that the Métis leaders would be brought to justice.[8]
Lake
Battleford
Frog Lake
Fort Pitt
Fish Creek
Cut Knife
Batoche
Butte
Loon Lake
of Saskatchewan and extended into Alberta and Manitoba.
The Métis conflict area is circled in black.
The Battle of Duck Lake (26 March 1885) was
an infantry skirmish 2.5 km outside Duck Lake,
Saskatchewan, between North-West Mounted Police
forces of the Government of Canada, and the Métis militia of Louis Riel's newly established Provisional Govern-
On March 25, in need of supplies for his men and
horses, Crozier ordered Sergeant Alfred Stewart, Thomas
McKay, and seventeen constables to Hillyard Mitchell’s
general goods store at Duck Lake.[9] Unbeknownst to
Crozier, however, commander Gabriel Dumont (Riel’s
right-hand man) and his Métis force had already entrenched themselves on the road to Duck Lake. On the
morning of the 26th, Stewart’s party encountered the
band of Métis near Duck Lake. After ample harassment,
Stewart decided not to risk a physical engagement, and
chose to return to Fort Carlton; no shooting occurred.[10]
Crozier rallied together a larger force, which included 53
North-West Mounted Police non-commissioned officers
and men, 41 men of the Prince Albert Volunteers, and a
7-pound cannon, and set out to secure the much-needed
supplies and to reassert the authority of the Canadian government in the District of Saskatchewan.[11]
11
12
CHAPTER 2. BATTLE OF DUCK LAKE
2.2 Battle
of Fort Carlton. The resounding unanimous decision was
in favour of the evacuation and destruction of the fort.[19]
The forces met about 2.5 kilometres outside Duck Lake By 4 AM on[20]28 March, the last sleigh had left the smoulon a snowy plateau covered by trees, shrubs, and a few log dering fort.
cabins.[11] Having spotted Crozier’s force, Gabriel Du- In the span of three days and with the loss of only five
mont ordered his men to set up defensive positions around men, Riel’s forces had defeated Crozier’s militia, forced
the log cabin and lie in wait. Similarly, Crozier’s scouts the destruction and scavenged the remains of Fort Carlinformed the superintendent of the movements of the ton, and spread fear of a Métis uprising throughout the
Métis; subsequently, Crozier ordered his men to halt and North-West Territories. Riel’s plans were not completely
deploy their sleighs parallel to the road which was just successful, though: he had hoped to capture Crozier and
before them. Both sides took up defensive positions.[11]
his men as hostages so that he might force the governGabriel Dumont dispatched his brother, Isidore, and an ment’s hand. Thus, while tactically successful, the battle
Lake proved to be a strategic disappointment for
elderly half-blind chief, Assiwiyin, with a white flag of Duck
[21]
[12]
Riel.
in hopes of distracting Crozier’s forces.
The superintendent, believing that Dumont was interested in a
parley, walked forward with an English Métis interpreter,
“Gentleman” Joe McKay.[13][14] During the half-hearted
discussion, Crozier came to believe that Isidore and Assiwiyin were stalling so that the Métis force could manoeuver to flank his own men. As they began to leave,
both Assiwiyin and Isidore attempted to draw their guns,
prompting Crozier to give McKay the order to fire. A
brief scuffle ensued between the two parties, which resulted in McKay shooting, and killing, both Dumont and
Assiwyin.[13][14]
2.4 Legacy
“Duck Lake Battlefield—Here, on 26th March, 1885, occurred the first combat between the Canadian Government Forces, under Major L.N.F. Crozier, and th Metis
and Indians, under Gabriel Dumont. Ici, le 26 mars,
1885, eut lieu la première rencontre entre les troupes
du gouvernement du Canada, commandées par le Major
Crozier, et les Métis et Indiens commandés par Gabriel
Despite the superior firepower and training of Crozier’s Dumont.”
militia, the Métis force were more numerous and their po- National Historic Sites and Monuments Board[22]
sition within the log cabins and the tree line proved to be
designated a National Historic
an overwhelming advantage.[15] In an attempt to relieve The site of the battle was
[23]
Site
of
Canada
in
1924.
the pressure on the Prince Albert Volunteers, Crozier ordered the 7-pound cannon to target the log cabins. Af- In the spring of 2008, Tourism, Parks, Culture and Sport
ter numerous discharges, a shell was placed in before the Minister Christine Tell proclaimed in Duck lake, that “the
power charge was inserted, which disabled the cannon for 125th commemoration, in 2010, of the 1885 Northwest
the remainder of the battle.[16]
Resistance is an excellent opportunity to tell the story
Within half an hour, Crozier recognized the unavoidable of the prairie Métis and First Nations peoples’ struggle
forces and how it has shaped Canada
and sounded a general retreat back to Fort Carlton. The with Government
[24]
today.”
Métis were eager to chase down Crozier and his retreating
force, but Louis Riel intervened and declared the battle Duck Lake is home to the Duck Lake Historical Museum
over.[16]
and the Duck Lake Regional Interpretive Centre, and murals which reflect the history of the rebellion in the area.
The Battle of Duck Lake, the Duck Lake Massacre, and a
buffalo jump are all located here. The “First Shots Cairn”
2.3 Aftermath
was erected on Saskatchewan Highway 212 as a landmark
commemorating the scene of the first shots in the BatThe battle toll was high for the government forces.
tle of Duck Lake. The Our Lady of Lourdes Shrine at
Twelve men were killed, and eleven men seriously
St. Laurent north of Duck Lake is a local pilgrimage
injured.[16] For the separatists, five Métis warriors were
site.[25][26][27][28]
killed in the skirmish, including Dumont’s brother. Furthermore, Gabriel Dumont himself was injured in the
head by a passing bullet.[17] Losing to Riel and the
Métis force came as a great shock to Crozier’s superiors. 2.5 See also
Colonel Acheson Irvine, Crozier’s supervisor, suggested
• North-West Rebellion
that Crozier’s officerial prowess and judgement was over[18]
ruled by impulsiveness.
• Provisional Government of Saskatchewan
Fort Carlton, a trading post with few defensive installations, was now in serious risk of attack. Immediately,
Colonel Irvine summoned a council to discuss the future
• Prince Albert Volunteers
• North-West Mounted Police
2.7. EXTERNAL LINKS
13
2.6 References
[23] Battle of Duck Lake. Canadian Register of Historic
Places. Retrieved 6 August 2012.
[1] Mulvaney, Charles Pelham (1885), Canada’s North-West
Rebellion by Mulvaney, Charles Pelham (p.32), Toronto:
A.H. Hovey & Co, retrieved 2014-04-10
[2] “Heroes of the 1885 Northwest Resistance. Summary of
those Killed.”. Barkwell, Lawrence J. Louis Riel Institute.
2010. Retrieved 2013-11-13.
[4] Canadian War Museum (1972). The Last War Drum.
Canadian War Museum. p. 4.
Canadian War Museum. p. 5.
Canadian War Museum. pp. XXII.
[7] Wallace, Jim (1998). A Trying time. Winnipeg: Bunker
to Bunker Books. p. 63.
Saskatchewan. June 7, 2008. Archived from the original
on 21 October 2009. Retrieved 2009-09-20.
[25] “History of Duck Lake and Area”. Duck Lake Regional
Interpretive Centre. Retrieved 2009-09-20.
[26] “Attractions and Tourism: Town of Duck Lake,
Saskatchewan”. M.R. Internet. Town of Duck Lake.
2007. Retrieved 2009-09-20.
[27] McLennan, David (2006). “Duck Lake: The Encyclopedia of Saskatchewan”. Canadian Plains Research Center
University of Regina. Retrieved 2009-09-20.
[28] “Battleford, Batoche & Beyond Tour along the Yellowhead Highway”. Yellowhead It! Travel Magazine. Yellowhead Highway Association. Retrieved 2009-09-20.
2.7 External links
[8] Wallace, Jim (1998). A Trying Time. Winnipeg: Bunker
to Bunker Books. p. 69.
• The Story of Saskatchewan and its people Volume 1
(Duck Lake)
[9] Haydon, A.L (1971). The Riders of the Plains: A Record
of the Royal North-West Mountain Police of Canada 18731910. Edmonton: M.G Hurting Ltd. p. 130.
Coordinates: 52°48′59″N 106°13′58″W / 52.8165°N
106.2327°W
[10] Stanley, George F. G. (1963). Louis Riel. Toronto: The
Ryerson Press. p. 315.
[11] Stanley, George F. G. (1960). The Birth of Western
Canada: A History of the Riel Rebellions. Toronto: University of Toronto Press. p. 326.
[12] “The Battle of Duck Lake (March 26, 1885)" (PDF). Government of Canada. Retrieved 2013-12-03.
[13] Wallace. A Trying Time. p. 74.
[14] “How the Battle of Duck Lake Began: Two Perspectives”
(PDF). Government of Canada. Retrieved 2013-12-03.
[15] Stanley. Louis Riel. p. 317.
[16] Stanley. The Birth of Western Canada. p. 328.
[17] Stanley. Louis Riel. p. 318.
[19] Haydon. The Riders of the Plain. p. 133.
[22] “Duck Lake Battlefield Plaque The Virtual Museum of
Métis History and Culture”. Gabriel Dumont Institute of
Native Studies and Applied Research. Retrieved 200909-20.
Chapter 3
ing stores and farms in the western part of the District
of Saskatchewan for arms, ammunition and food supplies
while civilians fled to the larger settlements and forts of
the North-West Territories.
Prominent leaders of this uprising were Chief
Poundmaker and Chief Big Bear. Poundmaker and
his band had a reserve near present-day Cut Knife about
50 km (31 miles) west of Fort Battleford. Big Bear and
his band had settled near Frog Lake about 55 km (34
miles) northwest of Fort Pitt but had not yet selected a
reserve site.[1] Both bands were signatories of Treaty 6
and were unhappy in the way it was implemented by the
Canadian government. The loss of the buffalo and the
inadequate rations provided by the Indian agents kept
the bands in a continual state of near-starvation.[2]
3.1 Geography
Lake
Battleford
Frog Lake
Fort Pitt
Fish Creek
Cut Knife
Batoche
Butte
Loon Lake
The District of Saskatchewan in 1885 (within
the black diamonds) included the central section of
Saskatchewan and extended into Alberta and Manitoba.
The District of Saskatchewan in 1885 was divided into
three sub-districts and had a population of 10,595. To
the east the Carrot River sub-district with 1,770 people
Duck
remained
quiet. The Prince Albert sub-district located
in the centre of the district had a population of 5,373
which included the Southbranch settlements with about
1,300. The Southbranch settlements was the centre of
Louis Riel's Provisional Government during the Rebellion. To the west where the Cree uprising led by Poundmaker and Big Bear occurred was the Battleford subdistrict with 3,603 people.[3][4]
The largest settlement and the capital of the district was
Prince Albert with about 800 people[5] followed by Battleford with about 500 people “divided about equally between French, Métis and English”.[6]
Battleford is located on the Battle River near the North
The Looting of Battleford began at the end of March, Saskatchewan River. On the south side of the Battle
1885, during the North-West Rebellion, in the town of River was the Old Town and on the north side nearest the
River was the New Town and Fort
Battleford, Saskatchewan, then a part of the Northwest North Saskatchewan
[7]
Battleford.
Territories.
Within days of the Métis victory at the Battle of Duck The city of North Battleford was founded later in 1905
Lake on March 26, 1885 Cree bands sympathetic to the when the construction of the Canadian Northern Railway
Métis cause and with grievances of their own began raid- main line to Edmonton placed the[8]line on the north side
of the North Saskatchewan River.
14
3.4. OVERVIEW
15
3.2 Siege of Battleford
Map of Battleford 1885
On March 28 as news that several Indian bands including Poundmaker’s were on their way to Battleford settlers began moving into the nearby North-West Mounted
Police post, Fort Battleford which was under the command of Colonel Morris and 25 police. Over the next
several days 500 civilians would take refuge within the
palisades. Many crossed over an unstable ice bridge on
the Battle River leaving most of their possessions behind
in the Old Town. During the night of March 29 nearby
homesteads were raided their horses and cattle rounded
up by the bands.[9]
Also on the trail to join Poundmaker in Battleford were
the Assiniboine from the Eagle Hills approximately 30
km south of Battleford. On March 29 they killed their
farm instructor John Payne and raided homesteads on the
way killing a farmer by the name of Fremont.[9]
On March 30 Poundmaker asked for a meeting with the
Indian agent J. M. Rae. After Rae refused to meet with
him the combined Battleford bands took food and supplies from the abandoned stores and houses. The next
day the bands camped a few miles away bringing with
them their looted provisions including cattle and horses
then eventually returned to Poundmaker’s reserve.[9]
While the New Town was protected by its proximity to
the Fort and its cannon the Old Town was not. Every day
until the arrival of Colonel Otter's column on April 24 the
occupants of the Fort watched as the Old Town about a
mile away was plundered. Stolen vehicles and horses carried away the supplies of the Hudson’s Bay Company and
the other merchants. All the public buildings were sacked
including the Battleford Industrial School (located in the
Old Government House).[10] Most homes were burned including the imposing home of Judge Rouleau. Just half a
dozen were left standing.[11]
Poundmaker surrenders to Middleton in Battleford May 26,
1885[12]
tleford. Poundmaker prevented his warriors from attacking the retreating troops.[9]
On May 14 at Eagle Hills a Battleford band captured a
wagon train carrying supplies for Colonel Otter’s column.
After the defeat of the Métis force at the Battle of Batoche and the surrender of Louis Riel to Middleton on
May 15 Pitikwahanapiwiyin (Poundmaker) surrendered
to General Middleton at Fort Battleford on May 26.[12]
• Map of Battle Sites
• Chronology of Events (The Northwest Resistance)
3.4 Overview
The nature of the Cree advance on Battleford, like the entire 1885 Rebellion, is a source of historiographical controversy. Historian Douglas Hill characterized the Cree
group as a “war party... ready to take revenge for a winter
of incalculable suffering” who “swooped on Battleford,
killing six whites”. George F.G. Stanley's writing on the
subject indicated that the Cree were not murderous but
more haphazard and bumbling: they "[did] not appear
to have in mind an attack upon the town” but were content with “prowling around the neighbourhood.” While
John L. Tobias says that the Crees tried to demonstrate
3.3 Aftermath
their “peaceful intent” by including women and children
in their group, simply took food to sustain themselves
On May 2 Colonel Otter’s column attacked Poundmaker’s after finding the town abandoned, and then withdrew to
camp at Cut Knife Creek but was forced to retreat to Bat- avoid conflict with the police.
16
CHAPTER 3. LOOTING OF BATTLEFORD
[12] “Numbered key, drawn in pen and ink, to accompany the
painting “The Surrender of Poundmaker to Major General
Middleton at Battleford, on May 26th, 1885”.". Retrieved
2015-05-11.
• Hill, Douglas, The Opening of the Canadian West.
Don Mills, ON: Academic Press 1967.
Battleford Panorama from King Hill showing the Yellowhead Highway leading to Battleford.
• Stanley, George F.G., Louis Riel: Patriot or Rebel.
CHA Booklet #2, 1964.
• Tobias, John L., “Canada’s Subjugation of the Plains
Cree,” Canadian Historical Review, LXIV (December 1983): 519-548.
3.5 References
[1] William Bleasdell Cameron (1888), The war trail of
Big Bear (P.43-46), Toronto: Ryerson Press (published
1926), retrieved 2014-04-10
[2] “Treaty 6”. Encyclopedia of Saskatchewan. Canadian
Plains Research Center, University of Regina. 2006. Retrieved 2013-12-08.
1888 (page 23), Prince Albert, NWT: Henry Thomas
[4] “FRENCH AND MÉTIS SETTLEMENTS”. Encyclopedia of Saskatchewan. Canadian Plains Research Center,
University of Regina. 2006. Retrieved 2013-09-17.
North-West Rebellion of 1885 (Map of Battleford 1885)
[8] “North Battleford”. Encyclopedia of Saskatchewan.
Canadian Plains Research Center, University of Regina.
2006. Retrieved 2013-12-08.
[9] Laurie, Patrick Gammie (April 23, 1885). “Battleford
Beleaguered”.
Saskatchewan Herald (Battleford,
Saskatchewan). pp. VOL. V11., No 15.
[10] “Government House, Battleford”. Retrieved 2013-12-07.
North-West Rebellion of 1885 (Otter’s March to Battleford)
3.6 External links
Chapter 4
Frog Lake Massacre
4.1 Causes
Chief Big Bear and his band had settled near Frog Lake
about 55 km (34 miles) northwest of Fort Pitt but had
not yet selected a reserve site.[2] He had signed Treaty 6
in 1882.[3] Angered by what seemed to be an unfair treaty
and by the dwindling buffalo population, Big Bear began
organizing the Cree for resistance.[4]
Learning of the Métis victory at the Battle of Duck Lake a
week earlier and of Poundmaker's advance on Battleford,
Wandering Spirit, the war chief of Big Bear’s band, began a campaign to gather arms, ammunition and food
supplies from the surrounding countryside. The nearest
source of supplies and the first to be looted were the government stables, the Hudson’s Bay Company post and
George Dill’s store at Frog Lake.[5] Anger among the
Cree in the area was directed largely at the representative
of the Canadian government, the Indian Agent Thomas
Quinn, who was the source of the inadequate rations that
kept the Cree in a state of near-starvation.[3][4]
Lake
Battleford
Frog Lake
Fort Pitt
Fish Creek
Cut Knife
Batoche
Butte
Loon Lake
The Frog Lake Massacre was part of the Cree uprising
during the North-West Rebellion in western Canada. Led
by Wandering Spirit, young Cree warriors attacked the
community of Frog Lake in the District of Saskatchewan
in the Northwest Territories[1] on 2 April 1885, where
they killed nine settlers.
Duck The massacre
4.2
A band of Cree led by the war chief Wandering Spirit
took Thomas Quinn hostage in his home in the early
morning of 2 April. The Cree then took more white settlers hostage and took control of the community. They
gathered the Europeans, including two priests, in the local Catholic church, where Mass was in progress. After
Mass concluded, at around 11:00 a.m., the Cree ordered
the prisoners to move to their encampment a couple of
kilometres away.[4]
Quinn steadfastly refused to leave the town; in response,
Wandering Spirit shot him in the head. In the resulting
panic, despite Big Bear’s attempt to stop the shootings,[6]
Wandering Spirit’s band killed another eight unarmed settlers: the two Catholic priests, Leon Fafard and Felix
Marchand, Fafard’s lay assistant John Williscroft, as well
as John Gowanlock, John Delaney, William Gilchrist,
George Dill, and Charles Gouin.[4]
A Hudson’s Bay Company clerk, William Bleasdell
Cameron, one of the men rounded up into the church,
17
18
CHAPTER 4. FROG LAKE MASSACRE
went to the Hudson’s Bay shop to fill an order made by
Quinn for Miserable Man after Mass. When the first
shots were fired, he escaped with the help of sympathetic
Cree, and made his way to a nearby Wood Cree camp,
where the chief pledged to protect him.[6][7][8]
Theresa Gowanlock and Theresa Delaney, wives of two
of the slain men, their families, and approximately seventy others from the town were taken captive.[4]
After the massacre, the bodies of Fafard, Marchand, Delaney and Gowanlock had been hurriedly placed in the
cellar under the church by several of the Métis residents
who were now captive. At great risk, they also moved
the bodies of Quinn and Gouin into the cellar of a house
near where they were killed. However, they were refused
permission to touch the other victims. The church, the
rectory and all the buildings of the Frog Lake settlement
were burned on April 4, 1885 (the day before Easter). All
that remained of the mission was the bell tower and the
cemetery.[9]
On June 14 the Midland Battalion (the advance guard of
Major-General Strange) arrived and buried the victims of
the massacre in the cemetery.[10][11] During their occupation the bell, which was suspended from the fire blackened bell tower, disappeared.[12]
4.3 Aftermath
Survivor William Bleasdell Cameron with Horse Child, 12-yearold son of Big Bear. They were photographed together in Regina
in 1885 during the trial of Big Bear. Cameron testified in Big
Bear’s defense.
The Cree moved on to Fort Pitt. The massacre prompted
the Canadian government to take notice of the growing
unrest in Western Canada. The rebellion was put down. that cairn.
Wandering Spirit and five other warriors (Round the Sky, In 2008, Christine Tell (provincial minister for tourism,
Bad Arrow, Miserable Man, Iron Body and Little Bear) parks, culture and sport) said “the 125th commemoration,
were convicted of treason for their actions in the Frog in 2010, of the 1885 Northwest Resistance is an excelLake Massacre. They were hanged with two other Cree lent opportunity to tell the story of the prairie Métis and
convicted of murder in the largest mass execution in First Nations peoples’ struggle with Government forces
and how it has shaped Canada today.”[14]
Canadian history.[4]
Although Big Bear had opposed the attack,[6] he was
charged with treason because of his efforts to organize
resistance among the Cree. He was convicted and sentenced to three years in the Manitoba Penitentiary.[6]
4.5 See also
• Bell of Frog Lake
4.4 Legacy
Frog Lake became part of the province of Alberta in
1905. The site of the massacre was designated the "Frog
Lake National Historic Site" in 1923, at the location
of the Cree uprising which occurred in the District of
Saskatchewan, North-West Territories.[13] Parks Canada
says the site designated by the Historic Sites and Monuments Board of Canada is extensive, but the national park
service owns only a small portion, mainly a graveyard,
where a stone cairn and federal plaque were erected in
1924. The geographic coordinates on this page are for
• List of massacres in Canada
• List of conflicts in Canada
4.6 References
[1] “Canadian Plains Research Center Mapping Division”
(PDF). Retrieved 13 Sep 2013.
Bear (P.43-46), Toronto: Ryerson Press (published 1926)
4.8. EXTERNAL LINKS
[3] “Treaty 6”. Encyclopedia of Saskatchewan. Canadian
Plains Research Center, University of Regina. 2006. Retrieved 2013-12-08.
[4] John Chaput (2007). “Frog Lake Massacre”. The Encyclopedia of Saskatchewan. University of Regina and
Canadian Plains Research Center. Retrieved 8 June 2010.
Bear (P.59-64), Toronto: Ryerson Press (published 1926)
[6] W. B. Cameron, “Massacre at Frog Lake”, University of
Alberta Libraries, response by W. B. Cameron to “Massacre at Frog Lake”, Edmonton Journal, 4 Apr 1939, accessed 2 Aug 2009
Bear (The Frog Lake Massacre), Toronto: Ryerson Press
(published 1926)
Historical Society of Alberta. p. 6.
[9] “Batoche: les missionnaires du nord-ouest pendant les
troubles de 1885.”. Le Chevallier, Jules Jean Marie
Joseph. Montreal: L'Oeuvre de presse dominicaine.
1941. Retrieved 2014-04-17.
[10] “With the Midland Battn. during the North West Rebellion of 1885”. Diary of Will E. Young. 1885. Retrieved
2014-04-17.
[11] ""Procès-verbal de la translation des restes des révérends
pères Léon-Adélard Fafard, O.M.I. et Félix Marchand,
O.M.I. du cimétière de l'ancienne mision de Notre-Dame
de Bon Conseil (Lac La Grenouille), à l'église de la mission de Notre-Dame du Rosaire (Lac d'Oignon). Diocèse
de Saint-Albert”.". Missions de la Congrégation des missionnaires oblats de Marie Immaculée. (Rome: Maison
Générale O.M.I) no.253 (Mar 1935), pp. 59-61. Retrieved 2014-04-17.
[12] “Grandin, Vital Justin (1829-1902); Oblates of Mary Immaculate. “Vicariat de Saint-Albert”. Missions de la Congrégation des missionnaires oblats de Marie Immaculée”.
Missions de la Congrégation des missionnaires oblats de
Marie Immaculée. (Paris: A. Hennuyer) no.92 (Dec
1885), pp. 417-430. Retrieved 2014-04-17.
[13] “Parks Canada - National Historic Sites in Alberta - National Historic Sites in Alberta”. Government of Canada.
4.7 Further reading
• Cameron, W. B. (1926). The war trail of Big Bear.
London: Duckworth. This work was published in
three editions 1926–1930, and a revised edition was
published in 1950 as Blood Red the Sun. Calgary:
Kenway Publishing Co. 1950. OCLC 10524211.
19
• Gallaher, Bill (2008). The Frog Lake Massacre.
Surrey, BC: Touchwood Editions. ISBN 9781894898751. Though a novel, a highly accurate account of the massacre and aftermath.
• Radison, Garry (2009).
Ka-pepamachakwewWandering Spirit: Plains Cree War Chief. Calgary:
Smoke Ridge Books. ISBN 978-0968832950.
• Radison, Garry (2015). Defending Frog Lake: An
Analysis of the Frog Lake Massacre. Lethbridge:
Smoke Ridge Books. ISBN 978-0994777300.
4.8 External links
• University of Alberta Libraries
• Article
• Frog Lake National Historic Site, official site
• Wandering Spirit Bio
• Northwest Campaign
Chapter 5
Battle of Fort Pitt
For the 1763 Pennsylvania action in Pontiac’s
Rebellion, see the Siege of Fort Pitt
Mounted Police.
5.1 Background
In the Canadian North-West, a period of escalating unrest
immediately preceded the rebellion as Ottawa refused to
negotiate with its disaffected citizens. While the Métis
under Louis Riel declared a provisional government and
mobilized their forces, Cree chief Big Bear was not planning any militarization or violence toward the Canadian
settlers or government. Rather, he had tried to unify the
Cree into a political confederacy powerful enough to oppose the marginalization of native people in Canadian
society and renegotiate unjust land treaties imposed on
Saskatchewan natives in the 1860s.
This nominally peaceful disposition was shattered in late
March by news of the Métis victory over government
forces at Duck Lake. Support for Riel was strong among
native peoples. On April 2, Big Bear’s warriors attacked
the town of Frog Lake, killing nine civilians. Big Bear,
against his wishes, was drawn into the rebellion.
Similar attacks continued, with Cree raiding parties pillaging the towns of Lac La Biche[3] Saddle Lake, BeaverDuck
hill
Lake, Bear Hills, Lac St. Anne and Green Lake.[4]
These events prompted the mobilization of an Alberta
field force under Thomas Bland Strange. The Cree would
later defeat the Albertans at the Battle of Frenchman’s
Butte.
Lake
Battleford
Frog Lake
Fort Pitt
Fish Creek
Cut Knife
Batoche
5.2 Battle
Butte
Loon Lake
The District of Saskatchewan in 1885 (within On April 15, 200 Cree warriors descended on Fort Pitt.
the black diamonds) included the central section of They intercepted a police scouting party, killing a constaSaskatchewan and extended into Alberta and Manitoba. ble, wounding another, and captured a third. Surrounded
and outnumbered, garrison commander Francis Dickens
The Battle of Fort Pitt (in Saskatchewan) was part of a (son of famed novelist Charles Dickens) capitulated and
Cree uprising coinciding with the Métis revolt that started agreed to negotiate with the attackers. Big Bear released
the North-West Rebellion in 1885. Cree warriors began the remaining police officers but kept the townspeople as
attacking Canadian settlements on April 2. On April 15, hostages and destroyed the fort. Six days later, Inspector
they captured Fort Pitt from a detachment of North-West Dickens and his men reached safety at Battleford.[1][2]
20
5.4. REFERENCES
5.3 Legacy
Minister Christine Tell proclaimed in Duck lake, that “the
125th commemoration, in 2010, of the 1885 Northwest
today.”[5] Fort Pitt, the scene of the Battle of Fort Pitt, is
a Provincial Park and National Historic site where a National Historic Sites and Monuments plaque designates
where Treaty six was signed.[6][7][8]
5.4 References
Bear (The Fall of Fort Pitt), Toronto: Ryerson Press (published 1926)
[2] “The Illustrated War News, 02 May 1885, Page 7, Item
Ar00701”. J.W. Bengough. Toronto: Grip Print. and
Pub. Co. 1885 (2 May (Sat), p.7). Retrieved 2013-11-24.
Check date values in: |date= (help)
[3] Heather Devine (2004). The People who Own Themselves: Aboriginal Ethnogenesis in a Canadian Family,
1660-1900. University of Calgary Press. p. 162. ISBN
978-1-55238-115-1.
troubles de 1885”. Le Chevallier, Jules Jean Marie Joseph.
Montreal: L'Oeuvre de presse dominicaine. 1941. Retrieved 2013-07-20.
[6] “Fort Pitt Provincial Park - Tourism, Parks, Culture and
Sport -". Government of Saskatchewan. Retrieved 200909-20.
[7] “Fort Pitt brochure Fort Pitt and the 1885 Resistance/Rebellion”. Government of Saskatchewan. Retrieved 2009-09-20.
[8] Beal, Bob (1 Sep 2007). “Fort Pitt”. Historica-Dominion.
The Canadian Encyclopedia Historica foundation. Retrieved 2009-09-20.
Coordinates: 53°39′01″N 109°45′06″W / 53.65018°N
109.75154°W
21
Chapter 6
Battle of Fish Creek
enough to alter the ultimate outcome of the conflict, it was
convincing enough to persuade Major General Frederick
Middleton to temporarily halt his advance on Batoche,
where the Métis would later make their final stand.
6.1 Battle
Middleton, having led his considerable Field Force out
from Qu'Appelle on April 10, was advancing upstream
from Clarke’s Crossing along the South Saskatchewan
River when he discovered a hastily organized ambush by
Gabriel Dumont's Métis / Dakota force.
On April 23, as the militia began advancing from Clarke’s
Crossing, Dumont took 200 men and rode out from Batoche toward Tourond’s Coulée. Louis Riel accompanied them. When a (false) report arrived that the NorthWest Mounted Police were advancing on Batoche, Riel
returned there with 50 men. Dumont stationed most of
his men in the coulée, where they set to work digging rifle
pits. The militia would cross the coulée the next day, and
itDuck
was then that the concealed men in the rifle pits would
ambush them. Dumont took a smaller party of twenty
horsemen forward of the coulée. Their task was to seal
the exit when the ambush was sprung. “I want to treat
them like buffaloes,” Dumont said of Middleton’s men.[5]
Lake
Battleford
Frog Lake
Fort Pitt
Fish Creek
Cut Knife
Batoche
Butte
Loon Lake
Dumont and his twenty men hid in a poplar bluff. There
were not yet any leaves, however. On the morning of
April 24, before the infantry could cross the coulée, a
Canadian cavalryman of Boulton’s Scouts spotted the
Métis horsemen. Dumont’s Métis and Boulton’s force
then opened fire on each other. The Scouts dismounted
The District of Saskatchewan in 1885 and began firing into the coulée, and the main body of
(within the black diamonds) included the central section Canadian infantry advanced to the coulée’s edge.[6]
of Saskatchewan and extended into Alberta and ManiThe Métis pounded Middleton’s men with one devastattoba.
ing fusillade before withdrawing into cover and restricting
themselves to sniper fire in order to conserve ammunition.
The Battle of Fish Creek (also known as the Battle of
Tourond’s Coulée ),[4] fought April 24, 1885 at Fish
Creek, Saskatchewan, was a major Métis victory over the
Canadian forces attempting to quell Louis Riel's NorthWest Rebellion. Although the reversal was not decisive
With half of his force on the opposite side of the river,
Middleton was unable to bring his full numerical superiority to bear. One of his artillery batteries opened fire on
the Métis to little effect, although well-fired cannonades
did succeed in driving away Dumont’s Cree allies before
their weight could be added to the battle.
22
6.4. REFERENCES
Strung out along the coulée’s edge, silhouetted against the
sky, the militia fired a vast amount of ammunition at their
enemies, succeeding mostly in showering tree branches
across the ravine, but when the artillerymen pushed their
guns to the coulée’s edge to try to fire down at the concealed enemy, they suffered heavy casualties.[7] The only
targets the militia could clearly see were the enemy’s tethered horses. They slaughtered about fifty of these.[8]
General Middleton behaved with reckless bravery, placing himself in full view of the enemy. A bullet tore
through his fur hat, and his two aides-de-camp were both
wounded by his side. The frustrated Canadians, their casualties mounting, undertook several fruitless rushes into
the ravine. A few infantry regulars under Middleton’s
command made one charge. Another, larger one was carried out by the Royal Winnipeg Rifles militia. This latter
advance was parried by Métis use of improvised barricades within the coulée.[9] These uncoordinated advances
accomplished nothing but more Canadian casualties.
23
“the 125th commemoration, in 2010, of the 1885 Northwest Resistance is an excellent opportunity to tell the
story of the prairie Métis and First Nations peoples’
struggle with Government forces and how it has shaped
Canada today.”[12]
The Battle of Fish Creek National Historic Site, now
named Tourond’s Coulée / Fish Creek National Historic
Site, preserves the battlefield of April 24, 1885 at la
coulée des Tourond , and the story of Madame Tourond’s
home. The National Historic site of Middleton’s camp
and graveyard is across the Fish Creek water body and is
north west of the theatre of battle which occurred in the
creek valley west of the Tourond farmhouse site.[13]
6.4 References
Despite the heavy casualties inflicted upon the enemy,
Métis morale deteriorated as the battle wore on. Famished, dehydrated, and low on ammunition (conditions
that had plagued them throughout the rebellion), Dumont’s rebels, though relatively impervious to enemy fire
from within their gullies and ravines, knew that their positions would not hold in the face of any sustained enemy
assault.
[1] Panet, Charles Eugène (1886), Report upon the suppression of the rebellion in the North-West Territories and matters in connection therewith, in 1885: Presented to Parliament.(p.20), Ottawa: Department of Militia and Defence
However, Middleton, distressed by the casualties he was
taking, erred on the side of caution and opted for retreat.
Weeks later, after news reached him of the Cree victory over Colonel Otter – to whom had been issued the
dreaded Gatling gun – at Cut Knife, Middleton embarked
once more on decisive action against Batoche.
[3] Panet, Charles Eugène (1886), Report upon the suppression of the rebellion in the North-West Territories and matters in connection therewith, in 1885: Presented to Parliament., Ottawa: Department of Militia and Defence
6.2 Maps
• Military Battlefield Map of Fish Creek
• Military Map of Fish Creek view 1
• Military Map of Fish Creek view 2
• Military Map of Fish Creek Rifle Pits
6.3 Legacy
[2] “Heroes of the 1885 Northwest Resistance. Summary of
2010. Retrieved 2013-11-13.
[4] Parks Canada (2007-11-17), Famous 1885 Battle Site
Gains New Name, Ottawa: Government of Canada
[5] Morton, Desmond, The Last War Drum, Hakkert,
Toronto, 1972, (Canadian War Museum Historical Publications Number 5), p.62.
[6] Beal, Bob, and Macleod, Rod, Prairie Fire, McClelland
and Stewart, Toronto, 1994, p.230.
[7] Beal and Macleod, pp.230-231.
[8] Morton, pp.64-65.
[9] Mulvany, Charles Pelham, The History of the North-West
Rebellion of 1885, Toronto, Hovey & Co., 1886, pp.131132 and 141.
[10] “Fish Creek The Virtual Museum of Métis History and
Culture”. Gabriel Dumont Institute of Native Studies and
“North West Rebellion - Fish Creek - While General
Applied Research. Retrieved 2009-09-20.
Middleton was moving to capture Batoche his forces were
attacked on the 24th April, 1885, by the Half-breeds un[11] Battle of Tourond’s Coulee / Fish Creek. Canadian Regder Gabriel Dumont from concealed rifle pits near the
ister of Historic Places. Retrieved 6 August 2012.
mouth of Fish Creek. The rebels were defeated and
driven from the field. Erected 1933.”
The site of the battle was designated a National Historic
Site of Canada in 1923.[11]
24
[13] “Battle of Fish Creek” (ashx). National Parks and National Historic Sites of Canada. Her Majesty the Queen
in Right of Canada, represented by the Chief Executive
Officer of Parks Canada. 2007. Retrieved 2009-09-20.
html Archived June 5, 2011, at the Wayback Machine.
6.5 External links
• Fish Creek battle site
• Encyclopedia of Saskatchewan
• Military Map of Fish Creek
CHAPTER 6. BATTLE OF FISH CREEK
Chapter 7
Battle of Cut Knife
7.1 Background
In the spring of 1885, the Métis living in the District
of Saskatchewan formed a provisional government under
Louis Riel, taking control of the area around Batoche.
Soon, Riel began to contact the local natives; the Cree and
the Assiniboine. The Canadian government decided to
crush the separatist movement, afraid that it would spread
to the tribes across the North-West Territories. Bands
of Cree, assembled under the leadership of Poundmaker,
went to Battleford to talk to the Indian agent, Rae. The
purpose of the visit was to lobby Rae for better supplies
(many members of the band were starving) and to discuss the political situation. The people of Battleford and
some of the settlers in the surrounding area, hearing reports of large numbers of Cree and Assiniboine leaving
reserves and making their way to Battleford, feared for
their safety. On the night of March 30, 1885, townspeople began to abandon the town and seek shelter in
the North-West Mounted Police Fort Battleford. When
Poundmaker and his party reached the town, the Indian
agent refused to come out of the fort to meet with them.
He
kept them waiting for two days.
Duck
Lake
Battleford
Frog Lake
Fort Pitt
Fish Creek
Cut Knife
Batoche
Butte
Loon Lake
Suffering from hunger and having been refused supplies
by the Indian Agent meant to attend their well being, some
of the party began looting the abandoned buildings. The
identity of the looters is disputed. Some reports claimed
Poundmaker’s people were responsible, but one observer
alleged that most of the looting had already been done
by whites.[4] Oral history accounts claim that the looting
was done by Nakoda people, and that Poundmaker did his
best to stop it.[5] Either way, Poundmaker’s people left the
next day.
Meanwhile, bands of Assiniboine living south of Battleford had heard about the Métis’ rebellion. A small
group of them killed a local farmer who had treated them
The Battle of Cut Knife, fought on May 2, 1885, oc- harshly in the past, and shot their Indian agent for beating
curred when a small force of Cree and Assiniboine war- a teenage girl. They then decided to go north to Battleford
riors were attacked by a flying column of mounted po- to meet up with Poundmaker. Although there is some
lice, militia, and Canadian army regulars near Battleford, controversy as to who was responsible and to the extent
Saskatchewan. The warriors defeated the Canadian of the destruction, a number of homes and businesses in
forces, with losses on both sides.
Battleford were looted and burned.
The Canadian government sent Major General Frederick
Middleton to Saskatchewan to crush the Métis’ rebellion.
25
26
CHAPTER 7. BATTLE OF CUT KNIFE
The small police force at Fort Battleford, suddenly responsible for the safety of nearly 500 civilians, called on
him for reinforcements and hastily set about forming a
home guard to garrison the post. Middleton detached
a column under the leadership of Lieutenant Colonel
William Otter to relieve Battleford.
the area to fight the Métis’ rebellion and decided to protect
themselves. As was Cree custom, the war chief Fine Day
replaced Poundmaker (the 'political chief') as leader until
the fighting was over. The entire encampment was moved
across Cut Knife Creek to the west side. Behind the camp
was Cut Knife Hill, and on both sides of it were ravines
Otter’s column consisted of some 763 men from the 2nd filled with bushes and trees. Altogether, nine bands of
Battalion, “Queen’s Own Rifles of Canada”, 'B' Battery, Cree and three of Assiniboine were present, numbering
some 1500 men, women, and children.
Regiment of Canadian Artillery, 'C' Company of the
Infantry School Corps, a party of sharpshooters from the
1st Battalion Governor General’s Foot Guards, a small
party of North-West Mounted Police under the command 7.2 Battle
of Percy Neale, and assorted teamsters. The column travelled by rail to Swift Current, setting out on the march for
Battleford on April 13 and arriving on April 24. When Just after dawn on May 2, Otter’s column arrived. OtOtter arrived, he found hundreds of civilians, including ter had expected that the camp would be in the prairie
Métis, crammed into the fort. However, Poundmaker’s on the east side of Cut Knife Creek. He had not anticifollowers were nowhere to be found. Overjoyed at Ot- pated that he would have to ford the creek. After his colter’s arrival, the townspeople and settlers wanted revenge umn had crossed the creek, they had to wade through a
on the Indians for the losses in lives and material that they marsh before they reached the encampment. An old Cree
had suffered. Many of Otter’s troops, inexperienced mili- man named Jacob with Long Hair had woken up when he
tiamen, were angry that they had “missed out on a fight”. heard the sound of the soldiers crossing the creek, and
he alerted the camp. Colonel Otter set up two cannons
Pressured by the townspeople and his own troops, Ot- and a Gatling gun and started firing on the camp. In the
ter decided to take action. Despite orders from General first few minutes, there was total confusion. The gunfire
Middleton to stay in Battleford, he wired the Lieutenant- broke lodges and destroyed the camp. Women and chilGovernor of the Northwest Territories (who was also the dren went running for the safety of the ravines. A group
Indian Commissioner), Edgar Dewdney, for permission of Assiniboine warriors charged Otter’s men to stop them
to “punish Poundmaker.”[6] Permission was granted. A from killing the women and children. The other warriors
garrison was left in Battleford, while he led a flying col- moved into the ravines, and Fine Day went to the top of
umn of 392 men to attack the Cree and Assiniboine at Cut Knife Hill to direct the Cree counterattack. The warCut Knife Hill. His force was made up of 75 North-West riors fought in small groups. One group would run forMounted Police (cavalry), several small units of Canadian ward, attack the soldiers, then rush back to the ravine bearmy regulars, and various volunteers and militia. He car- fore the soldiers could get them. As soon as the soldiers
ried with him two 7-pounder field rifles and a Gatling gun. tried to attack the warriors on one side, another group
He set out on the afternoon of May 1.[7] His plan was to of warriors would rush out of the second ravine and atmarch until dusk, rest until the moon rose, then continue tack them from behind. The other warriors guarded the
on to attack the Cree and Assiniboine early in the morn- women and children. Otter could not attack, because he
ing, while they were asleep.
had no idea where the enemy were nor of their numbers.
Robert Jefferson, an eyewitness reports that “not more
than 50 [Natives] altogether, had taken part in the battle.
This was understandable since few were armed.”[1] Douglas Light’s research indicates some 243 Cree and Assiniboine men were present, and notes that a number of young
boys also took part in the fight.[8]
Battle of Cut Knife Creek
Meanwhile, the Cree were encamped on their reserve
west of Battleford, on Cut Knife Creek. They were joined
by various other bands, including Assiniboine. They
knew that there were thousands of Canadian soldiers in
Otter formed his men into a wedge. Two lines of soldiers
and police faced the two ravines. The volunteers and militia guarded the rear, facing the marsh. As the battle continued, Fine Day employed a flanking maneuver, whereby
his warriors began to move along the two ravines, getting
closer and closer to the soldiers. The warriors stayed behind trees and bushes while they fired, so that Otter’s men
could not see anyone to shoot at. Colonel Otter’s soldiers
were trapped: on the left and right were the ravines and
behind them, the marsh. After six hours of fighting, Otter decided to withdraw. As the soldiers were crossing the
marsh, some warriors started mounting their horses to attack. Poundmaker asked them to let Otter’s men leave.
7.5. LEGACY
27
They respected Poundmaker and allowed Otter to return 7.5 Legacy
to Battleford. Some historians believe that only this prevented an outright massacre of Otter’s troops.[9]
“Cut Knife Battlefield. Named after Chief Cut Knife of
Note: The Encyclopedia of Saskatchewan [10] describes the Sarcee in an historic battle with the Cree. On May
the terrain and initial encounter somewhat differently but 2, 1885, Lt. Col. W.D. Otter led 325 troops composed
in many respects shows Fine Day to be an even more bril- of North-West Mounted Police, “B” Battery, “C” Company, Foot Guards, Queen’s Own and Battleford Rifles,
liant tactician than here described.
against the Cree and Assiniboine under Poundmaker and
Fine Day. After an engagement of six hours, the troops
retreated to Battleford.”
7.3 Maps
• Military Map of Cut Knife Battlefield
• Military Map of Cut Knife 1
• Military Map of Cut Knife 2
7.4 Conclusion
The Battle of Cut Knife was the natives’ most successful battle during the North-West Rebellion. They had the
advantage of being on their own territory, but also several disadvantages: they were outnumbered, attacked by
surprise, and short on ammunition.[2] Fourteen of Otter’s
soldiers were wounded, and eight killed,[3] including one
abandoned to be mutilated by native women;[11] three natives were wounded and five killed, including a Nez Perce
who had come north from the United States some years
earlier. The battle also instilled in some of Otter’s men a
new respect for their enemy. Otter had expected Poundmaker’s people to be caught off-guard and demoralized
and to surrender quickly. Despite suffering their greatest reverse during the campaign, the weight of numbers
and better supplies favoured the North-West Field Force.
In just a few weeks, the starving Cree went to Battleford
to make peace with Major-General Middleton. Fine Day,
the Cree war chief who had directed the battle, escaped to
the United States. Poundmaker was arrested and jailed.
Lieutenant-Colonel William Otter survived the battle and
remained a prominent figure in the military, commanding
The Royal Canadian Regiment in the Boer War, and acting as Director of Internment Camps in World War I.
Many people have compared this battle to the Battle of
the Little Bighorn. There are some major similarities: in
both cases, an army officer disobeyed orders; both tried
to catch a native camp by surprise; both Custer and Otter
badly misjudged the terrain and had to slow down their
attacks; and both ended up being surrounded by warriors and had no idea where to charge. Otter, at least,
knew when to retreat (and was allowed to do so), while
Custer kept fighting and suffered hundreds of casualties.
Of course, the battles were very different in their outcome. Whereas Custer himself was killed along with a
third of his soldiers, Otter and most of his soldiers survived their battle and emerged with a new respect for native warriors.[12]
The site of the battle was designated a National Historic
A bronze statue at Cartier Square Drill Hall in Ottawa,
Ontario is dedicated to William B. Osgoode and John
Rogers, members of the local Guards Company of SharpShooters who were killed during the Battle of Cutknife
Hill. [15]
Canada today.”[16]
At Cut Knife is the world’s largest tomahawk, the Poundmaker Historical Centre and the Big Bear monument.
There is also now, correctly located, a cairn erected by
the Historic Sites and Monuments Board of Canada upon
Cut Knife Hill overlooking the Poundmaker Battle site
and Battle River valley.[17][18][19][20]
7.6 See also
• Battle of Frenchman’s Butte
• North-West Rebellion
7.7 References
[1] Jefferson, Fifty Years, 146
Creek) p.156, Toronto: A.H. Hovey & Co
[4] Robert Jefferson, Fifty Years on the Saskatchewan, 127
[5] Stonechild, Blair. “An Indian View of the 1885 Uprising”
in “Sweet Promises: A Reader on Indian-White Relations
in Canada”, J.R. Miller (ed)
28
[6] Dewdney Papers, Vol. 5, p. 1806, Otter to Dewdney,
April 26, 1885.
[8] Light, Douglas W. Footprints in the Dust. Turner-Warwick
Publications, 1987.
[9] Battle of Cut Knife Hill, 2 May 1885, Canadian Military
Heritage. Archived February 11, 2009, at the Wayback
Machine.
[10] , Encyclopedia of Saskatchewan.
[11] Morton, Desmond. The Canadian general: Sir William
Otter. Toronto: A.M. Hakkert Ltd., 1974.
Creek) p.183, Toronto: A.H. Hovey & Co
[13] “Our Legacy”. University of Saskatchewan Archives,
University of Saskatchewan Library, and Pahkisimon
Nuye?ah Library System. 2008. Retrieved September 20,
2009.
[14] Battle of Cut Knife Hill. Directory of Federal Heritage
Designations. Parks Canada. Retrieved August 6, 2012.
[15] Battle of Cutknife Hill monument
on October 21, 2009. Retrieved September 20, 2009.
[17] Brown., Brian M (July 4, 2002). “Poundmaker Historical
Centre and Big Bear monument”. Retrieved September
20, 2009.
[18] McLennan, David (2006). “Cut Knife”. Canadian
September 20, 2009.
[19] Yanciw, David (August 10, 2001). “Town of Cut Knife,
Saskatchewan”. Big Things of Saskatchewan. Archived
from the original on October 6, 2009. Retrieved September 20, 2009.
[20] Davidson, Keith (2002). “Everyone Chuckled – A Rebellion Story Taking From Keith Davidson’s “Looking Back
Series"". Saskatchewan Indian First Nations Periodical Index Search Winter 2002 v31 n01 p15. Archived from the
original on December 10, 2008. Retrieved September 20,
2009.
Coordinates: 52°44′43″N 109°01′40″W / 52.7453°N
109.0278°W
CHAPTER 7. BATTLE OF CUT KNIFE
Chapter 8
Battle of Batoche
numbers and superior firepower of General Frederick
Middleton’s force could not be successfully countered by
the Métis, as had happened at the earlier Battle of Fish
Creek, and the town was eventually captured. The defeat of the Métis led to the surrender of Louis Riel on
May 15 and the collapse of the Provisional Government.
Over the next several weeks, Poundmaker would surrender and Cree fighters and families under Big Bear held out
the longest, fighting off Canadian troops pursuing them in
the Battle of Frenchman’s Butte and Battle of Loon Lake,
and, gradually dwindling in number, staying on the move
until Big Bear eventually turned himself in to Mounties
at Fort Carlton in early July.
8.1 Early advances and the crippling of the Northcote
Lake
Battleford
Frog Lake
Fort Pitt
Fish Creek
Cut Knife
Batoche
Butte
Loon Lake
of Saskatchewan and extended into Alberta and Manitoba.
The Battle of Batoche was the decisive battle of the
North-West Rebellion, which pitted the Canadian authorities against a force of insurrectionist Métis. Fought from
May 9 to May 12, 1885, at the ad hoc Provisional Government of Saskatchewan capital of Batoche, the greater
Duck
Conscious of the numerous reverses that had been suffered by government forces in previous clashes with the
rebels (see the battles of Duck Lake, Fish Creek, and
Cut Knife), Middleton approached Batoche with caution, reaching Gabriel’s Crossing on 7 May and advancing within eight miles (13 km) of the town the following day.[4] Middleton’s plan rested on an encirclement
strategy: as his main contingent advanced directly against
Métis defensive lines, the steamboat Northcote, carrying
some of Middleton’s troops, would steam past the distracted defenders and unload fifty men at the rear of the
town, effectively closing the pincer. However, due to the
difficulty of the terrain and Middleton’s penchant for prudence, his force lagged behind schedule, and when the
Northcote appeared adjacent to the town on 9 May it was
spotted by Métis who had not yet come under artillery
fire. Their small arms fire did little damage to the armoured ship, but they lowered Batoche’s ferry cable, into
which the Northcote steamed unsuspectingly, slicing off
its masts and smokestacks. Crippled, the ship drifted
harmlessly down the South Saskatchewan River and out
of the battle.[4][5]
29
30
8.2 Mission Ridge
CHAPTER 8. BATTLE OF BATOCHE
conducted, keeping casualties to a minimum. A Métis
attempt to surround the Canadian lines failed when the
brushfires meant to screen the sortie failed to spread.
At the end of the day, both sides held their positions
at Mission Ridge. But Middleton, shaken by the fierce
resistance, ordered the Canadian soldiers to retire to
a “zareba,” a hastily-improvised fortification about a
mile from the Métis entrenchments, where the troops
retired to sleep behind their network of improvised
barricades.[4][5][7]
Ignorant of the Northcote's fate, Middleton approached
the church at Mission Ridge on the morning of 9 May
in order to bring his plan into effect. Some Métis in
two houses south of the church began firing at Boulton’s
Scouts (irregular Canadian cavalry), but artillery was
brought up to shell the houses, one of which caught fire.
The Métis sharpshooters fled toward the settlement.[6]
The troops advanced toward the church. Sighting some
people, the Connecticut National Guard officer Arthur
L. Howard began firing his Gatling gun at the rectory.
Then a white flag was seen, Howard’s firing stopped, 8.3 Probing attacks of 10 May to 11
and several priests and nuns and some women and chilMay
dren surrendered.[7] Finding the mission occupied only
by civilians, Middleton brought his artillery out onto the
On 10 May, Middleton established heavily defended gunridge and began shelling the town.
pits and conducted a devastating, day-long shelling of the
The soldiers began advancing past the church, and got town. Attempted advances, however, were turned back
about half a kilometre before they came under heavy fire by Métis fire, and no ground was gained. The next day,
from both sides of the trail. The militia immediately took Middleton gauged the strength of the defenders by discover. Their enemies, hidden in well-constructed rifle patching a contingent of men north along the enemy’s
pits, were invisible. One trooper later wrote: "[The mili- flank while simultaneously conducting a general advance
tia was] down some distance apart from each other, fir- along the front. Having redirected a portion of their
ing at nothing, making guess shots and hearing the rebel strength to hold the northward flank, the Métis lacked the
bullets zip all round you, and the everlasting clack as the manpower to oppose the Canadian thrust, ceding ground
bullets struck the trees.”[6]
with little resistance. Canadian soldiers ventured as far
The now-dismounted irregular militia cavalry, Boulton’s as the Batoche cemetery before turning back. Satisfied
and French’s Scouts, were deployed on the right. The with his enemies’ weakness, Middleton retired to sleep
10th Royal Grenadiers, militia infantry from Toronto, and contended to take the town in the morning.[4][5]
were in the centre, with the 90th Winnipeg Rifles and
Howard and his Gatling on the left, to protect the artillery.
The infantry of the Midland Battalion, militia from east- 8.4 The storming of Batoche
ern Ontario, were kept in reserve near the church, which
was now being used as a Canadian field hospital. A very
dangerous situation developed when a group of Métis
rushed the artillery. Only Howard’s directing a heavy
stream of Gatling fire at the attackers prevented a disaster. From these few minutes the frustrated soldiers got
the only clear view of the Métis fighters that they were
to have until the final moments of the battle, three days
later.
After the attack was repulsed, the artillery was pulled
back a couple of hundred meters, and the infantry and
dismounted Scouts followed suit. The Métis now redeployed their men to try to outflank the militia, and heavy
fighting ensued. After noon, the artillery was ordered forward again, and it began fruitlessly bombarding the invisible Métis rifle pits. The gunners were under heavy fire,
in a very unsafe position. The Midlanders, who had been Batoche battlefield sketch map
brought forward from the church, wanted to charge their
unseen enemies, but were ordered not to by Middleton.[6] By 12 May, Métis defences were in poor shape. Of
the original defenders, three-quarters had either been
Throughout, the Gatling gun was used to good effect, pro- wounded by artillery fire or were scattered and divided
viding covering fire for the withdrawal of cannon that had in the many clashes with the Canadians on the outskirts
come under sniper fire, and dispersing another attempt by of the town. Those that still held their positions were
Gabriel Dumont to capture the guns. [8]
fatigued and desperately short of ammunition. They reCanadian advances saw less success but were carefully sorted to hunting in the underbrush for bullets fired by
8.6. AFTERMATH
government troops and firing them back and some fired
nails and rocks, forks and knives, instead of bullets, out
of their rifles.[8]
31
• Hostilities open at Batoche
• Damaged SS Northcote next to SS Marquis
Middleton’s attack plan on this day was designed to mir• Mission Ridge in 2005 (church and rectory)
ror the success of the previous day’s flanking feint, with
• Troops rest in the zareba
one column drawing defenders away to the north and a
second, under Colonel Bowen van Straubenzee, assault• Louis Riel, prisoner
ing the town directly. At first, on the morning of 12
16 May 1885
May, Middleton’s plan went awry. Van Straubenzee and
his men did not attack, because the wind was blowing
away from them and they did not hear the sound of the
north column’s gunfire. Middleton, who had been with 8.6 Aftermath
the north column, returned to the camp in a rage because
van Straubenzee had not attacked. He shouted abuse at The Métis defeat at Batoche virtually ended the Northvan Straubenzee and the Canadian colonels, and stalked West Rebellion. Louis Riel was captured (and was
off to lunch.
hanged for treason in Regina on 16 November). Gabriel
The previous night, some of the senior Canadian offi- Dumont fled to the United States, returning to Batoche
cers, exasperated by Middleton’s caution, had discussed only in 1893, and when he died, his body was buried
undertaking a charge. Now van Straubenzee was more there.
amenable to this, as well. After noon, the Midlanders
and Royal Grenadiers moved forward again, to a point
near the Batoche Cemetery. No one knows precisely who
ordered the wild mass Canadian charge which now ensued. Firing at will, and cheering, the Midlanders and
Grenadiers, aided by the Winnipeg 90th Rifles, rushed at
the Métis rifle pits. Many of the Métis fighters were still
out of position, having been drawn away from the cemetery and church to the north-east by Middleton’s feint
that morning. Ammunition on the Métis side was very
low. Nevertheless, they resisted bravely, aided by sharpshooters firing from across the Saskatchewan River at the
charging militiamen.
Middleton’s forces proceeded north to Prince Albert,
Saskatchewan and some portions were disbanded without
delay and sent home in Eastern Canada.
8.6.1 Casualties
Middleton reported 8 deaths and 46 wounded on the
Canadian side and 51 deaths and 173 wounded on the
Métis side.[1][9] Later Father Vegreville reported that the
Métis loss was not as high as the Mission first reported to
Middleton. There were 16 Métis killed and between 20
and 30 wounded.[2] Nine of the Métis killed in the battle
were buried in the cemetery of Batoche. Eight were in a
However, the charge was irresistible. Middleton ordered
common grave.[3][10][11]
the rest of the troops to assist by covering the flank of
the charging men. Howard and his Gatling were moved
up. The charging militia stormed into the village of Ba- 8.6.2 Bell of Batoche
toche. Then their enemies rallied. Métis and Indians who
had been drawn away to the east by Middleton’s feint in Main article: Bell of Batoche
the morning now appeared, and commenced a heavy fire
from rifle pits in brush near the village. A senior Canadian officer, Captain French, was killed as he fired from Following the battle, it is believed several Canadian solthe
a second story window. But the artillery and the Gatling diers from Millbrook, Ontario, seized the bell from [12]
Batoche
church
and
took
it
back
to
Ontario
as
a
prize.
were brought up to break this new resistance. The last
The fate of the bell became an issue of longstanding
defenders of Batoche surrendered.
controversy, involving several Métis organizations and
Straubenzee’s soldiers had performed brilliantly, charg- the provincial governments of Ontario, Manitoba, and
ing into Batoche in the face of heavy fire and driving the Saskatchewan.
remaining Métis clear of the town.[4][5][6][7]
Middleton’s plan, plus an impetuous charge by Canadian
militia had seen the last defenders overrun, and resistance
at Batoche ended.[8]
8.7 Legacy
8.5 Gallery
• Troops on the march (Qu'Appelle Valley)
32
CHAPTER 8. BATTLE OF BATOCHE
[5] Panet, Charles Eugène (1886), Report upon the suppression of the rebellion in the North-West Territories and matters in connection therewith, in 1885: Presented to Parliament.(P. 27-35), Ottawa: Department of Militia and Defence, retrieved 2014-04-10
Historic Sites and Monuments board of Canada. Government of Canada[13]
[6] Beal, Bob, and Macleod, Rod (1994), Prairie Fire: The
1885 North-West Rebellion (p.265-276), Toronto: McClelland and Stewart
Minister Christine Tell proclaimed in Duck lake, that “the
125th commemoration, in 2010, of the 1885 Northwest
today.”[14]
[7] Morton, Desmond (1972), The Last War Drum (Canadian
War Museum Historical Publications Number 5) (p.82-92),
Toronto: Hakkert
[8] “The Battle of Batoche: British Small Warfare and the Entrenched Métis” (PDF). The Battle of Batoche by Hildebrandt, Walter. Parks Canada, Winnipeg. 1985. Retrieved 2013-11-13.
Batoche, where the Métis Provisional Government had
been formed, has been declared a national historic site. [9] “The Battle of Batoche”. The New York Times. May 16,
1885. Retrieved 2013-11-13.
Batoche marks the site of Gabriel Dumont’s grave site,
Albert Caron’s House, Batoche school, Batoche ceme- [10] “Batoche”. Darren R. Préfontaine. Encyclopedia of
tery, Letendre store, Gabriel’s river crossing, Gardepy’s
Saskatchewan. Retrieved 2013-11-13.
crossing, Batoche crossing, St. Antoine de Padoue
Church, Métis rifle pits, and Canadian militia’s battle [11] “Heroes of the 1885 Northwest Resistance. Summary of
camp.[15][16]
2010. Retrieved 2013-11-13.
8.8 Maps
• Military Map Battlefield of Batoche
• Military Map of Mission Ridge
• Military Map of Batoche (Position May 9)
• Military Map of Batoche Rifle Pits
• Photo Collection (Glenbow Archives)
8.9 Footnotes
North-West Rebellion of 1885 p.327, Toronto: A.H.
troubles de 1885 (La Liberation) P.206”. Le Chevallier,
Jules Jean Marie Joseph. Montreal: L'Oeuvre de presse
dominicaine. 1941. Retrieved 2013-11-13.
North-West Rebellion of 1885 (p.196-215), Toronto: A.H.
[12] “Bell of Batoche really the Bell of Frog Lake”. Alexandra
Paul (Winnipeg Free Press). 2014-04-21. Retrieved 201404-21.
8.10 References
1885 Northwest Resistance. Saskatoon: Gabriel
Dumont Institute, 2011. ISBN 978-1-926795-034
• Barkwell, Lawrence J. Women of the 1885 Resistance. Winnipeg: Louis Riel Institute, 2008.
1885 Resistance. Winnipeg: Louis Riel Institute,
2008.
8.10. REFERENCES
• Barkwell, Lawrence J. Batoche 1885: The Militia of
the Métis Liberation Movement. Winnipeg: Manitoba Métis Federation, #0-9683493-3-1, [2005].
• Barnholden, Michael. Gabriel Dumont Speaks.
Vancouver: Talon Books, 1993.
• Beal, Bob and Rod Mcleod. Prairie Fire: The 1885
North-West Rebellion. Edmonton: Hurtig Publishers, 1984.
• Bingamin, Sandra Estlin. “The Trials of the 'White
Rebels’, 1885.” Saskatchewan History, Vol. 25,
1972: 41-54.
• Boulton, Charles Arkell. Reminiscences of the
North-West Rebellions. Toronto: Grip Printing &
Publishing Co., 1886.
• Cameron, W. B. “The Half-Breed Rising on the
South Saskatchewan, 1885.” Saskatoon: University
of Saskatchewan, Northwest Resistance Database,
MSS C550/1/28.1 Part I.3.
• Cameron, W. B. “The Northwest Mounted Rifles.”
Saskatoon: University of Saskatchewan, Northwest
Resistance Database, MSS C550/1/28.1 Part I.4.
• Combet, Denis. “Les Mémoires dictés par Gabriel
Dumont” et le “Récit de Gabriel Dumont.” Ca-heirs
Franco-Canadiens de l'Ouest, Vol. 14, Nos. 1 et 2,
2002: 105-156.
• Kermoal, Nathalie. “Les roles et les souffrances des
femmes métisses lors de la Résistance de 1870 et de
la Rébellion de 1885.” Prairie Forum, Vol. 19, No.
2, Fall 1993: 153-168
• Lee, David. “The Metis Militant Rebels of 1885.”
Canadian Ethnic Studies, XXI, 3, 1989; 1-19.
• McLean, Don. 1885: Métis Rebellion or Government Conspiracy? Saskatoon: Gabriel Dumont Institute, 1985.
• Mulvaney, Charles Pelham, M.D. The History of
the North-West Rebellion of 1885. Toronto: A. H.
Hovey & Co., 1885.
• Payment, Diane. Structural and Settlement History
of Batoche Village. Manuscript Report Number
248. Ot-tawa: Parks Canada and Department of Indian and Northern Affairs, 1977.
• __________ “Monsieur Batoche.” Saskatchewan
History, Vol. 22, No. 3, 1979: 81-103.
• __________ Batoche 1870-1910. St. Boniface,
Manitoba: Les Éditions du Blé, 1983.
• __________ Batoche, Saskatchewan 1870-1930:
Histoire dune communauté métisse/History of
a Métis Community.
Ottawa: Parks Canada
Manuscript, 1984.
33
• __________ “The Métis Homeland: Batoche in
1885.” NeWest Review, Vol. 10 (9), May 1985.
• __________ “Batoche After 1885, A Society in
Transition.” In F. Laurie Barron and James B. Waldram (Editors): 1885 and After: Native Society in
Transition. Regina: University of Regina, Canadian Plains Research Center, 1986: 173-187.
• __________ The Free People – Otispemisiwak. Ottawa: National Historic Parks and Sites,
Environment Canada, 1990.
• __________ "'La vie en rose'? Métis Women at
Batoche, 1870 to 1920.” In Christine Miller and
Patricia Chuchryk (Editors): Women of the First
Nations: Power, Wisdom and Strength. Winnipeg:
University of Manitoba Press, 1996, reprinted 1997:
19-37.
• __________ “The Willow Cree of One-Arrow First
Nation and the Metis of Batoche 1870 to 1920:
An Ambivalent Relationship.” Winnipeg: Parks
Canada, Cultural Resource Services, 1997.
• Tolton, Gordon E. Prairie Warships: River Navigation in the Northwest Rebellion. Vancouver: Heritage House, 2007.
• Travis, Ralph. “Prairie General.” Military History,
vol. 12, No. 6, Issue 125, 1984: 241-249.
• Wiebe, Rudy and Bob Beal (Editors). War in the
West: Voices of the 1885 Rebellion. Toronto:
McClelland and Stewart Ltd., 1985.
Chapter 9
Battle of Frenchman’s Butte
9.1 Background
A band of Cree led by war chief Wandering Spirit, living in what is now central Alberta and Saskatchewan
joined the North-West Rebellion of 1885 after the Métis
success at the Battle of Duck Lake. The starving band
seized food and supplies from several white settlements
and captured Fort Pitt, taking prisoners. Major-General
Thomas Bland Strange, a retired British officer living
near Calgary, raised a force of cowboys and other white
settlers, added to them two units of North-West Mounted
Police (NWMP), and headed north. He was reinforced
by three infantry units from the east, bringing his forces
to some 1,000 men. While he left some of his force to
provide protection for the isolated white settlements in
the area, he led several hundred troops east to Fort Pitt.
The Cree burnt the fort ahead of him and retreated to
the nearby hills. Over the next few days, Strange’s scouts
fought skirmishes with small groups of Cree and marched
over Frenchman’s Butte. On the night of May 27, the
Cree dug in at the top of a hill east of the Butte and waited.
Duck
Lake
Battleford
Frog Lake
Fort Pitt
Fish Creek
Cut Knife
Batoche
Butte
Loon Lake
The Battle of Frenchman’s Butte, fought on May 28,
1885, occurred when a force of Cree, dug in on a hillside
near Frenchman’s Butte, was unsuccessfully attacked by
the Alberta Field Force. It was fought in what was then
the District of Saskatchewan of the Northwest Territories.[1]
9.2 The battle
Early on the morning of May 28, the Cree warriors divided into two groups. Wandering Spirit, the Cree war
chief, led some 200 warriors to positions in the trenches
and rifle pits, while Little Poplar remained with a second
group to protect the camp, some two miles away. General
Strange arrived opposite the Cree position at six in the
morning and opened fire with a piece of artillery. The
Cree responded, opening fire on Strange’s units. Some
Canadian troops tried to cross the valley, but they found
the bottom covered in muskeg. On top of this, there
was a steep, open hillside in front of the Cree, making any frontal assault suicidal. Strange pulled his forces
back and deployed them along the bottom of the valley.
The two units of NWMP formed the left flank. To their
right was the 65th Battalion, Mount Royal Rifles, with the
Winnipeg Light Infantry Battalion in the centre, while the
right flank was formed by the Alberta Mounted Rifles.
The two sides exchanged fire for three hours. Cree rifle
fire wounded some of the Canadian troops in the valley,
34
9.3. CONCLUSION
35
galloped around the prairie with the rope attached to his
saddle pommel, trailing the body in the grass in circles,
the trails of which were still visible. He had thus been
left exposed for days before being buried; and his body
from the intense heat, was huge in size when I saw him. I
requested to have him buried.” H.A. MacKay, memories,
HBCo archives and Glenbow Archives.
9.3 Conclusion
The battle was a victory for the Cree, albeit a hollow one.
It bought them time to escape from Strange, but the rebellion was hopeless. The Métis had been defeated at the
Battle of Batoche three weeks earlier, and Poundmaker's
joint Cree-Assiniboine force had been forced to surrender. The Big Bear band fell apart during the retreat to
the north. The Battle of Loon Lake on June 3 demoralized them further, and by early July the rebellion was
over. Big Bear was captured and imprisoned. Wandering Spirit was executed along with seven others. General
Strange retired back to his ranch and the Alberta Field
Force disbanded.
Canadian artillery fires on the Cree (illustration from a British
book)
9.4 Legacy
Canada today.”[2]
while the Canadian artillery put holes in the hillside, damaging the trenches. Eventually, General Strange ordered
Major Sam Steele to lead the NWMP north and outflank
the Cree. The Cree saw this, and Wandering Spirit led
a group of warriors along the tops of the hills, parallel
to Steele, and occasionally opened fire. This caused the Frenchman Butte is a National Historic Site of Canada,
NWMP to believe that the Cree’s lines were much longer which locates the theatre of the 1885 battle staged bethan they actually were, so Steele turned back. Around tween Cree and Canadian troops.[3][4]
the same time, some Cree warriors managed to outflank
the Alberta Mounted Rifles and almost captured the supply train. Afraid of being attacked from behind, General
9.5 References
Strange ordered his force to retreat. The Canadians withdrew to Fort Pitt after three hours of fighting. The Cree
slipped away later that day, initiating the final stage of the [1] “Canadian Plains Research Center Mapping Division”
rebellion, as more than 1,000 men searched the woods for
Big Bear’s band.
“On May 29, near Frenchman’s Butte Inspector S.B.
Steele made contact with an Indian scouting party.
Steele’s scouts called out to the party and were fired upon.
Steele’s troops returned fire and killed the first Indian casualty of the war. They rode down with a friend to view
the remains and found his body on top the hill where he
evidently had been dragged by the scout. His body was
stripped of all clothing with the rope (cut short to about
one yard in length) still around his neck, which had cut
into his jaw. He was a huge fine looking Indian, 'Ma-menook'by name. The scout who had captured his mount(a
swift-footed black stallion belonging to the HBCo) had
[3] Frenchman Butte. Canadian Register of Historic Places.
Retrieved 13 August 2012.
[4] Chaput, John (2006). “Frog Lake Massacre”. Canadian
2009-09-20.
Chapter 10
Battle of Loon Lake
Scouts (a body of mounted militia raised by Steele himself) caught up with and dispersed a band of Plains Cree
warriors and their white and Métis hostages.
Cree scouts made a determined stand with what was left
of their ammunition, but the body of the Cree column,
realizing the hopelessness of their situation, released their
prisoners and fled. The Cree casualties were four dead
and dozens wounded.[3]
Wandering Spirit, the war chief leading the Cree military campaign, surrendered to authorities at Fort Pitt. Big
Bear, the aging peacetime chief of this band of Cree,
eluded capture until July 2.
10.1 Maps
• Military map of Loon Lake
• Military map of Loon Lake Ford
• Military map of Loon Lake Island and Muskeg
Duck
Lake
Battleford
Frog Lake
Fort Pitt
Fish Creek
Cut Knife
Batoche
Butte
Loon Lake
The Battle of Loon Lake concluded the North-West Rebellion on June 3, 1885 and was the last battle fought on
Canadian soil. It was fought in what was then the District
of Saskatchewan of the Northwest Territories,[2] at what
is now known as Steele Narrows, in Saskatchewan’s
Makwa Lake Provincial Park.
Led by Major Sam Steele, a force of North-West
Mounted Police, Alberta Mounted Rifles and Steele’s
10.2 Legacy
The site of the battle was designated as a National Historic
In the spring of 2008, Tourism, Parks, Culture and
Sport Minister Christine Tell proclaimed in Duck Lake,
that “the 125th commemoration, in 2010, of the 1885
Northwest Resistance is an excellent opportunity to tell
the story of the prairie Métis and First Nations peoples’ struggle with Government forces and how it has
shaped Canada today.”[5] The Battle of Loon Lake is
commemorated today by interpretive signs placed by the
Government of Saskatchewan and a plaque placed by the
Historic Sites and Monuments Board of Canada. The
place is today known as 'Steele Narrows’. The Narrows
between Makwa Lake and Sanderson Bay, in the Makwa
Lake Provincial Park, was the site of the last engagement
of the rebellion. Steele Narrows Provincial Historic Park
conserves the lookout point of a Cree burial ground.[6][7]
36
10.3. REFERENCES
10.3 References
Bear (p.207), Toronto: Ryerson Press (published 1926)
[2] “Canadian Plains Research Center Mapping Division”
[3] “The Canadian Encyclopedia (Steele Narrows Battle)".
[4] Steele Narrows. Directory of Federal Heritage Designations. Parks Canada. Retrieved 19 August 2012.
[6] “Steele Narrows Provincial Park - Tourism, Parks, Culture
and Sport -" (pdf). Brochure of the Northwest Rebellion.
Government of Saskatchewan. Retrieved 2009-09-20.
[7] “Makwa”. Sasl Biz community profiles. Enterprise
Saskatchewan Government of Saskatchewan. Retrieved
2009-09-20.
Coordinates: 54°2′26″N 109°18′34″W / 54.04056°N
109.30944°W
37
Chapter 11
Louis Riel
This article is about the Métis rebel leader in Canada. ister MacDonald decided to hang him. Riel was seen
For other uses, see Louis Riel (disambiguation).
as a heroic victim by francophone Canadians; his execution had a lasting negative impact on Canada, polarizLouis David Riel (English /ˈluːiː riːˈɛl/, French pronunci- ing the new nation along ethno-religious lines. Although
only a few hundred people were directly affected by the
ation: [lwi ʁjɛl]; 22 October 1844 – 16 November 1885)
was a Canadian politician, a founder of the province of Rebellion in Saskatchewan, the long-term result was that
Manitoba, and a political leader of the Métis people of the Prairie provinces would be controlled by the Anglothe Canadian prairies.[1] He led two resistance move- phones, not the Francophones. An even more important
ments against the Canadian government and its first post- long-term impact was the bitter alienation Francophones
and anger against the repression of
Confederation prime minister, Sir John A. Macdonald. across Canada showed
[5]
their
countrymen.
Riel sought to preserve Métis rights and culture as their
homelands in the Northwest came progressively under the
Canadian sphere of influence. Over the decades, he has
been made a folk hero by the Francophones, the Catholic
nationalists, the native rights movement, and the New
Left student movement. Riel has received more scholarly attention than practically any other figure in Canadian history.
His first resistance was the Red River Rebellion of 1869–
1870.[2] The provisional government established by Riel
ultimately negotiated the terms under which the modern
province of Manitoba entered the Canadian Confederation.[3] Riel ordered the execution of a Protestant who annoyed him, Thomas Scott, and fled to the United States to
escape prosecution. Despite this, he is frequently referred
to as the “Father of Manitoba”.[4] While a fugitive, he was
elected three times to the Canadian House of Commons,
although he never assumed his seat. During these years,
he was frustrated by having to remain in exile despite his
growing belief that he was a divinely chosen leader and
prophet, a belief which would later resurface and influence his actions. Because of this new religious conviction, Catholic leaders who had supported him before increasingly repudiated him. He married in 1881 while in
exile in Montana in the United States; he fathered three
children.
In 1884 Riel was called upon by the Métis leaders in
Saskatchewan to articulate their grievances to the Canadian government. Instead he organized a military resistance that escalated into a military confrontation, the
North-West Rebellion of 1885. Ottawa used the new
rail lines to send in thousands of combat soldiers. It
ended in his arrest and conviction for high treason. Rejecting many protests and popular appeals, Prime Min-
Riel’s historical reputation has long been polarized between portrayals as a dangerous half-insane religious fanatic and rebel against the Canadian nation, or by contrast a heroic rebel who fought to protect his Francophone
people from the unfair encroachments of an Anglophone
national government. He is increasingly celebrated as a
proponent of multiculturalism, although that downplays
his primary commitment to Métis nationalism and political independence.[6]
11.1 Early life
The Red River Settlement was a community in Rupert’s
Land nominally administered by the Hudson’s Bay Company (HBC), and largely inhabited by First Nations
tribes and the Métis, an ethnic group of mixed Cree,
Ojibwa, Saulteaux, French Canadian, Scottish, and English descent.[7] Louis Riel was born there in 1844, near
modern Winnipeg, Manitoba, to Louis Riel, Sr. and Julie
Lagimodière.
Riel was the eldest of eleven children in a locally wellrespected family.[8] His father, who was of FrancoOjibwa Métis descent, had gained prominence in
this community by organizing a group that supported
Guillaume Sayer, a Métis imprisoned for challenging the
HBC’s historical trade monopoly.[9] Sayer’s eventual release due to agitations by Louis Sr.'s group effectively
ended the monopoly, and the name Riel was therefore
well known in the Red River area. His mother was the
daughter of Jean-Baptiste Lagimodière and Marie-Anne
Gaboury, one of the earliest white families to settle in the
Red River Settlement in 1812. The Riels were noted for
38
11.2. RED RIVER REBELLION
39
ner of Lamartine; also that he was then for a time employed as a clerk in Saint Paul, Minnesota, before returning to the Red River Settlement on 26 July 1868.[15]
11.2 Red River Rebellion
Main article: Red River Rebellion
Louis Riel, age 14
their devout Catholicism and strong family ties.[10]
Riel was first educated by Roman Catholic priests at
St. Boniface. At age 13 he came to the attention of
Alexandre Taché, the Suffragan Bishop of St. Boniface,
who was eagerly promoting the priesthood for talented
young Métis. In 1858 Taché arranged for Riel to attend
the Petit Séminaire of the Collège de Montréal, under the
direction of the Sulpician order.[11] Descriptions of him
at the time indicate that he was a fine scholar of languages,
science, and philosophy, but exhibited a frequent and unpredictable moodiness.[12]
Following news of his father’s premature death in 1864,
Riel lost interest in the priesthood and he withdrew from
the college in March 1865. For a time he continued his
studies as a day student in the convent of the Grey Nuns,
but was soon asked to leave following breaches of discipline. He remained in Montreal over a year, living at
the home of his aunt, Lucie Riel. Impoverished by the
death of his father, Riel took employment as a law clerk
in the Montreal office of Rodolphe Laflamme.[6] During
this time he was involved in a failed romance with a young
woman named Marie–Julie Guernon.[13] This progressed
to the point of Riel having signed a contract of marriage,
but his fiancée’s family opposed her involvement with a
Métis, and the engagement was soon broken. Compounding this disappointment, Riel found legal work unpleasant, and by early 1866 he had resolved to leave Canada
East.[14] Some of his friends said later that he worked odd
jobs in Chicago, Illinois, while staying with poet LouisHonoré Fréchette, and wrote poems himself in the man-
The majority population of the Red River had historically been Métis and First Nation people. Upon his return, Riel found that religious, nationalistic, and racial
tensions were exacerbated by an influx of Anglophone
Protestant settlers from Ontario. The political situation
was also uncertain, as ongoing negotiations for the transfer of Rupert’s Land from the Hudson’s Bay Company to
Canada had not addressed the political terms of transfer.
Finally, despite warnings to the Macdonald government
from Bishop Taché[16] and the HBC governor William
Mactavish that any such activity would precipitate unrest, the Canadian minister of public works, William McDougall, ordered a survey of the area. The arrival on 20
August 1869 of a survey party headed by Colonel John
Stoughton Dennis[17] increased anxiety among the Métis.
The Métis did not possess title to their land, which was
in any case laid out according to the seigneurial system
rather than in English-style square lots.[18]
11.2.1 Riel emerges as a leader
In late August, Riel denounced the survey in a speech,
and on 11 October 1869, the survey’s work was disrupted by a group of Métis that included Riel. This group
organized itself as the “Métis National Committee” on
16 October, with Riel as secretary and John Bruce as
president.[19] When summoned by the HBC-controlled
Council of Assiniboia to explain his actions, Riel declared
that any attempt by Canada to assume authority would be
contested unless Ottawa had first negotiated terms with
the Métis. Nevertheless, the non-bilingual McDougall
was appointed the lieutenant governor-designate, and attempted to enter the settlement on 2 November. McDougall’s party was turned back near the American border, and on the same day, Métis led by Riel seized Fort
Garry.[20]
On 6 November, Riel invited Anglophones to attend a
convention alongside Métis representatives to discuss a
course of action, and on 1 December he proposed to this
convention a list of rights to be demanded as a condition of union. Much of the settlement came to accept
the Métis point of view, but a passionately pro-Canadian
minority began organizing in opposition. Loosely constituted as the Canadian Party, this group was led by
John Christian Schultz,[21] Charles Mair,[22] Colonel John
Stoughton Dennis,[23] and a more reticent Major Charles
Boulton.[24] McDougall attempted to assert his author-
40
CHAPTER 11. LOUIS RIEL
ity by authorizing Dennis to raise a contingent of armed
men, but the Anglophone settlers largely ignored this call
to arms. Schultz, however, attracted approximately fifty
recruits and fortified his house and store. Riel ordered
Schultz’s home surrounded, and the outnumbered Canadians soon surrendered and were imprisoned in Upper
Fort Garry.
11.2.2
Provisional government
The execution of Thomas Scott
Métis, whom he regarded with open contempt. After
Scott repeatedly quarreled with his guards, they insisted
that he be tried for insubordination. At his court martial
he was found guilty and was sentenced to death. Riel was
repeatedly entreated to commute the sentence, but Riel
The Métis provisional government
responded, “I have done three good things since I have
Hearing of the unrest, Ottawa sent three emissaries to the commenced: I have spared Boulton’s life at your instance,
[30]
Red River, including HBC representative Donald Alexan- I pardoned Gaddy, and now I shall shoot Scott.
der Smith.[25] While they were en route, the Métis Na- Scott was executed by firing squad on 4 March. Riel’s motional Committee declared a provisional government on tivations have been the cause of much speculation, but his
8 December, with Riel becoming its president on 27 own justification was that he felt it necessary to demonDecember.[26] Meetings between Riel and the Ottawa del- strate to the Canadians that the Métis must be taken seriegation took place on 5 and 6 January 1870, but when ously. Protestant Canada did take notice, swore revenge,
these proved fruitless, Smith chose to present his case and set up a "Canada First" movement to mobilize their
in a public forum. Smith assured large audiences of the anger.[31][32]
Government’s goodwill in meetings on 19 and 20 January, leading Riel to propose the formation of a new convention split evenly between French and English settlers 11.2.4 Creation of Manitoba and the
to consider Smith’s instructions. On 7 February, a new
Wolseley expedition
list of rights was presented to the Ottawa delegation, and
Smith and Riel agreed to send representatives to Ottawa The delegates representing the provisional government
to engage in direct negotiations on that basis.[27] The pro- departed for Ottawa in March. Although they initially
visional government established by Louis Riel published met with legal difficulties arising from the execution of
its own newspaper titled New Nation and established the Scott, they soon entered into direct talks with Macdonald
Legislative Assembly of Assiniboia to pass laws.[28]
and George-Étienne Cartier.[33] An agreement enshrining
the demands in the list of rights was quickly reached, and
this formed the basis for the Manitoba Act[34] of 12 May
11.2.3 Canadian resistance and the execu- 1870, which formally admitted Manitoba into the Canation of Scott
dian confederation. However, the negotiators could not
secure a general amnesty for the provisional government.
Despite the apparent progress on the political front, the As a means of exercising Canadian authority in the setCanadian party continued to plot against the provisional tlement and dissuading American expansionists, a Canagovernment. However, they suffered a setback on 17 dian military expedition under Colonel Garnet Wolseley
February, when forty-eight men, including Boulton and was dispatched to the Red River.[35] Although the govThomas Scott, were arrested near Fort Garry.
ernment described it as an “errand of peace”, Riel learned
Boulton was tried by a tribunal headed by AmbroiseDydime Lépine and sentenced to death for his interference with the provisional government.[29] He was pardoned, but Scott interpreted this as weakness by the
that Canadian militia elements in the expedition meant to
lynch him, and he fled as the expedition approached the
Red River. The arrival of the expedition on 20 August
marked the effective end of the Red River Rebellion.
11.3. INTERVENING YEARS
11.3 Intervening years
11.3.1
Amnesty question
It was not until 2 September 1870 that the new lieutenantgovernor Adams George Archibald arrived and set about
the establishment of civil government.[36] Without an
amnesty, and with the Canadian militia beating and intimidating his sympathisers, Riel fled to the safety of
the St. Joseph’s mission across the American border in
the Dakota Territory. However the results of the first
provincial election in December 1870 were promising for
Riel, as many of his supporters came to power. Nevertheless, stress and financial troubles precipitated a serious illness—perhaps a harbinger of his future mental
afflictions—that prevented his return to Manitoba until
May 1871.
41
rift in Quebec-Ontario relations and so he did not offer an
amnesty. Instead he quietly arranged for Taché to offer
Riel a bribe of $1,000 to remain in voluntary exile. This
was supplemented by an additional £600 from Smith for
the care of Riel’s family.[38]
Nevertheless, by late June Riel was back in Manitoba
and was soon persuaded to run as a member of parliament for the electoral district of Provencher. However,
following the early September defeat of George-Étienne
Cartier in his home riding in Quebec, Riel stood aside so
that Cartier—on record as being in favour of amnesty for
Riel—might secure a seat in Provencher. Cartier won by
acclamation, but Riel’s hopes for a swift resolution to the
amnesty question were dashed following Cartier’s death
on 20 May 1873. In the ensuing by-election in October
1873, Riel ran unopposed as an Independent, although he
had again fled, a warrant having been issued for his arrest
in September. Lépine was not so lucky; he was captured
and faced trial.
Riel made his way to Montreal and, fearing arrest or assassination, vacillated as to whether he should attempt
to take up his seat in the House of Commons—Edward
Blake, the Premier of Ontario, had announced a bounty
of $5,000 for his arrest.[39] Famously, Riel was the only
Member of Parliament who was not present for the great
Pacific Scandal debate of 1873 that led to the resignation of the Macdonald government in November. Liberal
leader Alexander Mackenzie became the interim prime
minister, and a general election was held in January 1874.
Although the Liberals under Mackenzie formed the new
government, Riel easily retained his seat. Formally, Riel
had to sign a register book at least once upon being
elected, and he did so under disguise in late January. He
was nevertheless stricken from the rolls following a motion supported by Schultz, who had become the member for the electoral district of Lisgar.[40] Undeterred,
Riel prevailed again in the resulting by-election, and although again expelled, his symbolic point had been made
and public opinion in Quebec was strongly tipped in his
favour.
11.3.2 Exile and mental illness
Louis Riel circa 1875
The settlement now faced a possible threat, from crossborder Fenian raids coordinated by his former associate
William Bernard O'Donoghue.[37] Archibald proclaimed
a general call to arms on 4 October. Companies of armed
horsemen were raised, including one led by Riel. When
Archibald reviewed the troops in St. Boniface, he made
the significant gesture of publicly shaking Riel’s hand,
signaling that a rapprochement had been affected. This
was not to be—when this news reached Ontario, Mair and
members of the Canada First movement whipped up antiRiel (and anti-Archibald) sentiment. With Federal elections coming in 1872, Macdonald could ill afford further
During this period, Riel had been staying with priests of
the Oblate order in Plattsburgh, New York, who introduced him to Father Fabien Martin dit Barnabé in the
nearby village of Keeseville. It was here that he received
news of Lépine’s fate: following his trial for the murder of
Scott, which had begun on 13 October 1874, Lépine was
found guilty and sentenced to death. This sparked outrage
in the sympathetic Quebec press, and calls for amnesty
for both Lépine and Riel were renewed. This presented a
severe political difficulty for Mackenzie, who was hopelessly caught between the demands of Quebec and Ontario. However, a solution was forthcoming when, acting
on his own initiative, the Governor General Lord Dufferin commuted Lépine’s sentence in January 1875. This
42
opened the door for Mackenzie to secure from parliament
an amnesty for Riel, on the condition that he remain in
exile for five years.[6]
During his time of exile, he was primarily concerned
with religious rather than political matters. Spurred on
by a sympathetic Roman Catholic priest in Quebec, he
was increasingly influenced by his belief that he was a
divinely chosen leader of the Métis. Modern biographers have speculated that he may have suffered from
the psychological condition megalomania.[41] His mental state deteriorated, and following a violent outburst he
was taken to Montreal, where he was under the care of
his uncle, John Lee, for a few months. But after Riel disrupted a religious service, Lee arranged to have him committed in an asylum in Longue Pointe on 6 March 1876
under the assumed name “Louis R. David”.[6] Fearing
discovery, his doctors soon transferred him to the Beauport Asylum near Quebec City under the name “Louis
Larochelle”.[42] While he suffered from sporadic irrational outbursts, he continued his religious writing, composing theological tracts with an admixture of Christian
and Judaic ideas. He consequently began calling himself Louis “David” Riel, prophet of the new world, and he
would pray (standing) for hours, having servants help him
to hold his arms in the shape of a cross. Nevertheless, he
slowly recovered, and was released from the asylum on 23
January 1878[43] with an admonition to lead a quiet life.
He returned for a time to Keeseville, where he became
involved in a passionate romance with Evelina Martin dit
Barnabé,[27] sister of his friend, the oblate father Fabien
Barnabé. But with insufficient means to propose marriage, Riel returned to the west, hoping that she might
follow. However, she decided that she would be unsuited
to prairie life, and their correspondence soon ended.
Jean-Louis and Marie-Angélique Riel, children of Louis Riel
Riel soon became involved in the politics of Montana, and
in 1882, actively campaigned on behalf of the Republican
Party. He brought a suit against a Democrat for rigging
a vote, but was then himself accused of fraudulently inducing British subjects to take part in the election. In
response, Riel applied for United States citizenship and
11.3.3 Montana and family life
was naturalized on 16 March 1883.[45] With two young
children, he had by 1884 settled down and was teaching
In the fall of 1878, Riel returned to St. Paul, and briefly school at the St. Peter’s Jesuit mission in the Sun River
visited his friends and family. This was a time of rapid district of Montana.
change for the Métis of the Red River—the buffalo on
which they depended were becoming increasingly scarce,
the influx of settlers was ever-increasing, and much land
was sold to unscrupulous land speculators. Like other 11.4 The North-West Rebellion
Red River Métis who had left Manitoba, Riel headed further west to start a new life. Travelling to the Montana Main article: North-West Rebellion
Territory, he became a trader and interpreter in the area
surrounding Fort Benton. Observing rampant alcoholism
and its detrimental impact on the Native American and
Métis people, he engaged in an unsuccessful attempt to 11.4.1 Grievances in the Saskatchewan territory
curtail the whisky trade. In 1881, he married Marguerite
Monet dit Bellehumeur (1861–1886),[44] a young Métis,
“in the fashion of the country” on 28 April, an arrange- Following the Red River Rebellion, Métis travelled west
ment that was solemnized on 9 March 1882. They were and settled in the Saskatchewan Valley, especially along
to have three children: Jean-Louis (1882–1908); Marie- the south branch of the river in the country surrounding
Angélique (1883–1897); and a boy who was born and the Saint-Laurent mission (near modern St. Laurent de
died on 21 October 1885, less than one month before Riel Grandin, Saskatchewan). But by the 1880s, it had become clear that westward migration was no panacea for
was hanged.[27]
11.4. THE NORTH-WEST REBELLION
the troubles of the Métis and the plains Indians. The rapid
collapse of the buffalo herd was causing near starvation
among the Plains Cree and Blackfoot First Nations. This
was exacerbated by a reduction in government assistance
in 1883, and by a general failure of Ottawa to live up to
its treaty obligations. The Métis were likewise obliged to
give up the hunt and take up agriculture—but this transition was accompanied by complex issues surrounding
land claims similar to those that had previously arisen in
Manitoba. Moreover, settlers from Europe and the eastern provinces were also moving into the Saskatchewan
territories, and they too had complaints related to the administration of the territories. Virtually all parties therefore had grievances, and by 1884 English settlers, AngloMétis and Métis communities were holding meetings and
petitioning a largely unresponsive government for redress.
In the electoral district of Lorne, a meeting of the south
branch Métis was held in the village of Batoche on 24
March, and thirty representatives voted to ask Riel to return and represent their cause. On 6 May a joint “Settler’s Union” meeting was attended by both the Métis
and English-speaking representatives from Prince Albert,
including William Henry Jackson,[46] an Ontario settler
sympathetic to the Métis and known to them as Honoré
Jackson, and James Isbister of the Anglo-Métis.[47] It was
here resolved to send a delegation to ask Riel’s assistance
in presenting their grievances to the Canadian government.
11.4.2
Return of Riel
The head of the delegation to Riel was Gabriel Dumont,[48] a respected buffalo hunter and leader of the
Saint-Laurent Métis who had known Riel in Manitoba.
James Isbister[49] was the lone Anglo-Métis delegate.
Riel was easily swayed to support their cause—which
was perhaps not surprising in view of Riel’s continuing
conviction that he was the divinely selected leader of
the Métis and the prophet of a new form of Christianity. Riel also intended to use the new position of influence to pursue his own land claims in Manitoba. The
party departed 4 June, and arrived back at Batoche on
5 July. Upon his arrival Métis and English settlers alike
formed an initially favourable impression of Riel following a series of speeches in which he advocated moderation and a reasoned approach. During June 1884, the
Plains Cree leaders Big Bear[50] and Poundmaker[51] were
independently formulating their complaints, and subsequently held meetings with Riel. However, the Native
grievances were quite different from those of the settlers, and nothing was then resolved. Inspired by Riel,[52]
Honoré Jackson and representatives of other communities set about drafting a petition,[53] and Jackson on 28
July released a manifesto detailing grievances and the
settler’s objectives. A joint English-Métis central committee with Jackson acting as secretary worked to reconcile proposals from different communities. In the in-
43
terim, Riel’s support began to waver. As Riel’s religious
pronouncements became increasingly heretical the clergy
distanced themselves, and father Alexis André cautioned
Riel against mixing religion and politics. Also, in response to bribes by territorial lieutenant-governor and
Indian commissioner Edgar Dewdney,[54] local Englishlanguage newspapers adopted an editorial stance critical
of Riel.[27] Nevertheless, the work continued, and on 16
December Riel forwarded the committee’s petition to the
government, along with the suggestion that delegates be
sent to Ottawa to engage in direct negotiation. Receipt of
the petition was acknowledged by Joseph-Adolphe Chapleau, Macdonald’s Secretary of State, although Macdonald himself would later deny having ever seen it.[27] By
then many original followers had left; only 250 remained
at Batoche when it fell in May 1885.[55]
11.4.3 Break with the church
Historian Donald Creighton has argued that Riel’s had become a changed man:
In the 15 years since he had left Red River,
his megalomania had grown greater than ever.
His ungovernable rages, delusions of grandeur,
messianic claims, and dictatorial impulses had
all become more extreme; but these violent excesses were not the only symptoms of his curious mental and moral decline. He had lost
his shrewd appreciation of realities. His sense
of direction was confused in his purposes were
equivocal. He showed, at intervals, a cynical selfishness and the ruthless cupidity.... although in public he professed that his sole aim
was the redress of the Métis grievances, and
private he was quite ready to promise that if the
government made him a satisfactory personal
payment of a few thousand dollars he would induce his credulous followers to accept almost
any settlement the federal authorities desired,
and would quietly leave Canada forever.[56]
While Riel awaited news from Ottawa he considered returning to Montana, but had by February resolved to stay.
Without a productive course of action, Riel began to engage in obsessive prayer, and was experiencing a significant relapse of his mental agitations. This led to a
deterioration in his relationship with the Catholic hierarchy, as he publicly espoused an increasingly heretical
doctrine. On 11 February 1885, a response to the petition was received. The government proposed to take
a census of the North-West Territories, and to form a
commission to investigate grievances. This angered a
faction of the Métis who saw it as a mere delaying tactic; they favoured taking up arms at once. Riel became
the leader of this faction, but he lost the support practically all the Anglophones (who included many Métis),
44
the Catholic Church, and the great majority of Indians.
He also lost the support of the Métis faction supporting
local leader Charles Nolin.[57] But Riel, undoubtedly influenced by his messianic delusions,[58] became increasingly supportive of this course of action. In the church
at Saint-Laurent on 15 March, Riel disrupted a sermon
to argue for this position, following which he was barred
from receiving the sacraments. He took more and more
about his “divine revelations”. But disenchanted with
the status quo, and swayed by Riel’s charisma and eloquent rhetoric, hundreds of Métis remained loyal to Riel,
despite his proclamations that Bishop Ignace Bourget[59]
should be accepted as pope, and that “Rome has fallen”.
At his trial, Riel denied allegations that his religious beliefs were as irrational as was being (and continue to be) Louis Riel imprisoned in Middleton’s camp at Batoche, 16 May
alleged. He explained as follows:
1885
“I wish to leave Rome aside, inasmuch as it is the cause of
division between Catholics and Protestants. I did not wish
to force my views...If I could have any influence in the
new world it would be to help in that way, even if it takes
200 years to become practical...so my children’s children
can shake hands with the Protestants of the new world in
a friendly manner. I do not wish those evils which exist
in Europe to be continued, as much as I can influence it,
among the (Metis). I do not wish that to be repeated in
America.[60]
11.4.4
Open rebellion
On 18 March it became known that the North-West
Mounted Police garrison at Battleford was being reinforced. Although only 100 men had been sent in response
to warnings from father Alexis André and NWMP superintendent L.N.F. Crozier, a rumour soon began to circulate that 500 heavily armed troops were advancing on the
territory. Métis patience was exhausted, and Riel’s followers seized arms, took hostages, and cut the telegraph
lines between Batoche and Battleford. The Provisional
Government of Saskatchewan was declared at Batoche on
19 March, with Riel[61] as the political and spiritual leader
and with Dumont assuming responsibility for military affairs. Riel formed a council called the Exovedate[62] (a
neologism meaning “those who have left the flock”), and
sent representatives to court Poundmaker and Big Bear.
On 21 March, Riel’s emissaries demanded that Crozier
surrender Fort Carlton, but this was refused. The situation was becoming critical, and on 23 March Dewdney
sent a telegraph to Macdonald indicating that military intervention might be necessary. Scouting near Duck Lake
on 26 March, a force led by Gabriel Dumont unexpectedly chanced upon a party from Fort Carlton. In the ensuing Battle of Duck Lake, the police were routed, and the
Natives also rose up once the news became known. The
die was cast for a violent outcome, and the North-West
Rebellion was begun in earnest.
able to effectively respond to another uprising in the distant North-West Territories, thereby forcing them to accept political negotiation. This was essentially the same
strategy that had worked to such great effect during the
1870 rebellion. But in that instance, the first troops did
not arrive until three months after Riel seized control.
However, Riel had completely overlooked the significance of the Canadian Pacific Railway. Despite some
uncompleted gaps, the first Canadian regular and militia
units, under the command of Major-General Frederick
Dobson Middleton, arrived in Duck Lake less than two
weeks after Riel had made his demands. Knowing that
he could not defeat the Canadians in direct confrontation,
Dumont had hoped to force the Canadians to negotiate by
engaging in a long-drawn out campaign of guerrilla warfare; Dumont realised a modest success along these lines
at the Battle of Fish Creek on 24 April 1885.[63] Riel,
however, insisted on concentrating forces at Batoche to
defend his “city of God”. The outcome of the ensuing
Battle of Batoche which took place from 9 to 12 May[64]
was never in doubt, and on 15 May a disheveled Riel surrendered to Canadian forces. Although Big Bear's forces
managed to hold out until the Battle of Loon Lake on 3
June,[65] the rebellion was a dismal failure for Métis and
Natives alike, as they surrendered or fled.
11.5 Trial for treason
Main article: Trial of Louis Riel
Several individuals closely tied to the government requested that the trial be held in Winnipeg in July 1885.
There are historians who contend that the trial was moved
to Regina because of concerns with the possibility of an
ethnically mixed and sympathetic jury.[66] Tom Flanagan
states that an amendment of the North-West Territories
Act (which dropped the provision that trials with crimes
Riel had counted on the Canadian government being un- punishable by death should be tried in Manitoba) meant
11.6. EXECUTION
45
that the trial could be convened within the North-West
Territories and did not have to be held in Winnipeg.
Louis Riel testifies at his trial
Prime Minister Sir John A. Macdonald ordered the trial
to be convened in Regina, where Riel was tried before
a jury of six English and Scottish Protestants, all from
the area surrounding the city. The trial began on 28
July 1885, and lasted five days.[2] Riel delivered two long
speeches during his trial, defending his own actions and
affirming the rights of the Métis people. He rejected his
lawyer’s attempt to argue that he was not guilty by reason
of insanity, asserting,
Life, without the dignity of an intelligent
being, is not worth having.[67]
The jury found him guilty but recommended mercy;
nonetheless, Judge Hugh Richardson sentenced him to
death, with the date of his execution initially set for 18
September 1885.[41] “We tried Riel for treason,” one juror later said, “And he was hanged for the murder of
Scott.” [68]
11.6 Execution
Boulton writes in his memoirs that, as the date of his execution approached, Riel regretted his opposition to the
defence of insanity and vainly attempted to provide evidence that he was not sane. Requests for a retrial and an
appeal to the Judicial Committee of the Privy Council in
Britain were denied. Sir John A. Macdonald, who was
instrumental in upholding Riel’s sentence, is famously
quoted as saying:
He shall die though every dog in Quebec
bark in his favour.[69]
Before his execution, Riel was reconciled with the
Catholic Church, and assigned Father André as his spiritual advisor. He was also given writing materials so that
he could employ his time in prison to write a book. Louis
Riel was hanged for treason on 16 November 1885 at the
North West Mounted Police barracks in Regina.[70][71]
Boulton writes of Riel’s final moments,
Riel’s tombstone at the St. Boniface Cathedral
... Père André, after explaining to
Riel that the end was at hand, asked
him if he was at peace with men.
Riel answered “Yes.” The next question was, “Do you forgive all your
enemies?" “Yes.” Riel then asked
him if he might speak. Father André advised him not to do so. He
then received the kiss of peace from
both the priests, and Father André
exclaimed in French, “Alors, allez
au ciel!" meaning “so, to heaven!"
... [Riel’s] last words were to
say good-bye to Dr. Jukes and
thank him for his kindness, and
just before the white cap was pulled
over his face he said, “Remerciez,
Madame Forget.” meaning “thank,
Ms. Forget”.
The cap was pulled down, and while
he was praying the trap was pulled.
Death was not instantaneous. Louis
Riel’s pulse ceased four minutes after the trap-door fell and during
that time the rope around his neck
slowly strangled and choked him
to death. The body was to have
been interred inside the gallows’ enclosure, and the grave was com-
46
menced, but an order came from
the Lieutenant-Governor to hand
the body over to Sheriff Chapleau
which was accordingly done that
night.[72]
Following the execution, Riel’s body was returned to his
mother’s home in St. Vital, where it lay in state. On 12
December 1886, his remains were laid in the churchyard
of the Saint-Boniface Cathedral following the celebration
of a requiem mass.
The trial and execution of Riel caused a bitter and prolonged reaction which convulsed Canadian politics for
decades. The Orange Irish Protestant element in Ontario had demanded the execution as the punishment for
Riel’s treason and his execution of Thomas Scott in 1870.
With their revenge satisfied, the Orange turned their attention to other matters (especially the Jesuit Estates proposal). In Quebec there was no forgetting, and the politician Honoré Mercier rose to power by mobilizing the opposition in 1886.[73]
11.7 Legacy
11.7.1
Political
The Saskatchewan Métis’ requested land grants were all
provided by the government by the end of 1887, and
the government resurveyed the Métis river lots in accordance with their wishes. The Métis did not understand the long term value of their new land, however,
and it was soon bought by speculators who later turned
huge profits from it. Riel’s worst fears were realised—
following the failed rebellion, the French language and
Roman Catholic religion faced increasing marginalisation
in both Saskatchewan and Manitoba, as exemplified by
the controversy surrounding the Manitoba Schools Question. The Métis themselves were increasingly forced to
live on undesirable land or in the shadow of Indian reserves (as they did not themselves have treaty status).
Saskatchewan did not attain provincehood until 1905.
11.8 Revoking Riel’s conviction
That Riel’s name still has resonance in Canadian politics was evidenced on 16 November 1994, when Suzanne
Tremblay, a Bloc Québécois member of parliament, introduced private members’ bill C-228, “An Act to revoke
the conviction of Louis David Riel”.[76] The unsuccessful bill was widely perceived in English Canada as an attempt to arouse support for Quebec nationalism before
the 1995 referendum on Quebec sovereignty.[77] Bill C213 or Louis Riel Day Act and Bill C-417 Louis Riel
Act are the more notable acts which have gone through
parliament.[78] Bill C-297 to revoke the conviction of
Louis Riel was introduced to the House of Commons
21 October and 22 November 1996, however the motion lacked unanimous consent from the House and was
dropped.[79] Bill C-213[80] or the Louis Riel Day Act of
1997 attempted to revoke the conviction of Louis Riel for
high treason and establish a National Day in his honour
on 16 November.[81] Bill C-417[82] or the Louis Riel Act
which also had a first reading in parliament to revoke the
conviction of Louis Riel, and establish 15 July as Louis
Riel Day was tabled.[83]
On 18 February 2008, the province of Manitoba officially
recognized the first Louis Riel Day as a general provincial
holiday. It will now fall on the third Monday of February
each year in the Province of Manitoba.[85]
Historians have debated the Riel case so often and so passionately that he is the most written-about person in all of
Canadian history.[86] Interpretations have varied dramatically over time. The first amateur English language histories hailed the triumph of civilization, represented by
English-speaking Protestants, over savagery represented
by the half-breed Métis who were Catholic and spoke
French. Riel was portrayed as an insane traitor and an obstacle to the expansion of Canada to the West.[87][88] By
the mid-20th century academic historians had dropped
the theme of savagery versus civilization, deemphasized
the Métis, and focused on Riel, presenting his execution
as a major cause of the bitter division in Canada along
Riel’s execution and Macdonald’s refusal to commute his ethnocultural and geographical lines of religion and lansentence caused lasting discord in Quebec, and led to a guage. W. L. Morton says the execution:
fundamental alteration in the Canadian political order.[74]
In Quebec, Honoré Mercier[75] exploited the discontent
gave rise to a bitter and prolonged reaction
to reconstitute the Parti National. This party, which prowhich convulsed the course of national politics
moted Quebec nationalism, won a majority in the 1886
for the next decade. In Ontario it had been deQuebec election by winning a number of seats formerly
manded and applauded by the Orange element
controlled by the Quebec Conservative Party. The federal
as the punishment of treason and a vindicaelection of 1887 likewise saw significant gains by the
tion of loyalty. In Quebec Riel was defended,
federal Liberals, again at the expense of the Conservadespite his apostasy and megalomania, as the
tives. This led to the victory of the Liberal party under
symbol, indeed as a hero of his race.[89]
Sir Wilfrid Laurier in the federal election of 1896, which
in turn set the stage for the domination of Canadian fedMorton argued that Riel’s demands were unrealistic:
eral politics by the Liberal party in the 20th century.
11.8. REVOKING RIEL’S CONVICTION
47
[They] did touch on some real grievances, such
as the need for increased representation of the
people in the Council of the Territories, but
they did not present a program of practical
substance which the government might have
granted without betrayal of its responsibilities....the Canadian government can hardly be
blamed for refusing to continue its private negotiations with him, or for sending in the troops
to suppress rebellion.[90]
exactly like insanity. Flanigan emphasizes that Riel exemplified the tradition of religious mystics involved in
politics, especially those with a sense that the world was
about to be totally transformed by their religious vision.
In his case it meant his delivering the Métis from colonial
domination. More broadly, Flanagan argues that Riel was
devoutly religious and rejected equalitarianism (which he
equated with secularism), concluding he was “a millenarian theocrat, sympathetic to the 'ancien régime' and opposed to the French Revolution, democracy, individualism, and secular society.”[97][98]
The Catholic bishops had originally supported the Métis
but reversed themselves when they realized that Riel was
leading a heretical movement. They made sure that he
was not honored as a martyr.[91] However the bishops
lost their influence during the Quiet Revolution, and activists in Québec found in Riel the perfect hero, with
the image now of a freedom fighter who stood up for
his people against an oppressive government in the face
of widespread racist bigotry. His insanity was ignored
and he was made a folk hero by the Francophones, the
Catholic nationalists, the native rights movement, and the
New Left student movement. Activists who espoused violence embraced his image; in the 1960s, the Quebec terrorist group, the Front de libération du Québec adopted
the name “Louis Riel” for one of its terrorist cells.[92] Riel
has received more scholarly attention than practically any
other figure in Canadian history.[93]
Métis scholars have noted that Riel is a more important
figure to non-Métis than to Métis; he is the only Métis figure most non-Métis are aware of. Political scientists such
as Thomas Flanagan have pointed out certain parallels between Riel’s following during the North-West Rebellion
and millenarian cults.
11.8.2 Commemorations
Across Canada there emerged a new interpretation of reality in his rebellion, holding that the Métis had major unresolved grievances; the government Was unresponsive;
that Riel resorted to violence only as a last resort; and he
was given a questionable trial then executed by vengeful
government.[94] John Foster said in 1985 that:
the interpretive drift of the last halfcentury...has witnessed increasingly shrill
though frequently uncritical condemnations
of Canadian government culpability and
equally uncritical identification with the
“victimization” of the “innocent” Métis.[95]
However, a leading specialist Thomas Flanagan reversed
his views after editing Riel’s writings:
As I sifted the evidence this became less and
less convincing to me until I concluded that
the opposite was closer to the truth: that the
Métis grievances were at least partly of their
own making; that the government was on the
verge of resolving them when the Rebellion
broke out; That Riel’s resort to arms could not
be explained by the failure of constitutional agitation and that he received a surprisingly fair
trial.[96]
“Tortured” Louis Riel statue at the Collège universitaire de SaintBoniface
A resolution was passed by Parliament on 10 March 1992
citing that Louis Riel was the founder of Manitoba.[99]
Two statues of Riel are located in Winnipeg.[100] One
of the Winnipeg statues, the work of architect Étienne
Gaboury and sculptor Marcien Lemay, depicts Riel as a
naked and tortured figure. It was unveiled in 1970 and
stood in the grounds of the Legislative Assembly of ManiAs for the insanity, historians have noted that many reli- toba for 23 years. After much outcry (especially from the
gious leaders the past have exhibited behavior that looks Métis community) that the statue was an undignified mis-
48
representation, the statue was removed and placed at the
Collège universitaire de Saint-Boniface. It was replaced
in 1994 with a statue designed by Miguel Joyal depicting
Riel as a dignified statesman. The unveiling ceremony
was on 16 May 1996, in Winnipeg.[99]
One of three Territorial Government Buildings remains
on Dewdney Avenue in the Saskatchewan capital city of
Regina, Saskatchewan which was the site of the Trial of
Louis Riel, where the drama the “Trial of Louis Riel”
is still performed. Following the May trial, Louis Riel
was hanged 16 November 1885. The RCMP Heritage
Centre, in Regina, opened in May 2007.[107][108][109] The
Métis brought his body to his mother’s home, now the
Riel House National Historic Site, and then interred at
the St. Boniface Basilica in Manitoba, his birthplace, for
burial.[110][111]
11.8.3 Arts, literature and popular culture
Statue of Louis Riel by Miguel Joyal in Winnipeg, Manitoba.
In 1925, the French writer Maurice Constantin-Weyer
who lived 10 years in Manitoba published in French a fictionalized biography of Louis Riel titled La Bourrasque.
An English translation/adaptation was published in 1930
: A Martyr’s Folly (Toronto, The Macmillan Company),
and a new version in 1954, The Half-Breed (New York,
The Macaulay Compagny).[112]
A statue of Riel on the grounds of the Saskatchewan leg- Portrayals of Riel’s role in the Red River Rebellion inislative building in Regina was installed and later removed clude the 1979 CBC television film Riel and Canadian
cartoonist Chester Brown's acclaimed 2003 graphic novel
for similar reasons.
Louis Riel: A Comic-Strip Biography.[113]
In numerous communities across Canada, Riel is commemorated in the names of streets, schools, neighbour- In the 1940 film North West Mounted Police Riel is porhoods, and other buildings. Examples in Winnipeg in- trayed by Francis McDonald.
clude the landmark Esplanade Riel pedestrian bridge An opera about Riel entitled Louis Riel was commislinking Old Saint-Boniface with Winnipeg, the Louis sioned for Canada’s centennial celebrations in 1967. It
Riel School Division, Louis Riel Avenue in Old Saint- was an opera in three acts, written by Harry Somers,
Boniface, and Riel Avenue in St. Vital's Minnetonka with an English and French libretto by Mavor Moore and
neighbourhood (which is sometimes called Riel). The Jacques Languirand. The Canadian Opera Company prostudent centre and campus pub at the University of duced and performed the first run of the opera in SeptemSaskatchewan in Saskatoon are named after Riel (Place ber and October 1967.[114]
Riel and Louis’, respectively).[101] Highway 11, stretching from Regina to just south of Prince Albert, has
been named Louis Riel Trail by the province; the roadway passes near locations of the 1885 rebellion.[102]
One of the student residences at Simon Fraser University in Burnaby, British Columbia is named Louis Riel
House. There is a Louis Riel School in Calgary.[103] and
Ottawa.[104] On 26 September 2007, Manitoba legislature passed a bill establishing a statutory holiday on the
third Monday in February as Louis Riel Day, the same
day some other provinces celebrate Family Day, beginning in 2008.[105] The first Louis Riel Day was celebrated
on 18 February 2008. This new statutory holiday coincides with the celebration on 15–24 February of the Festival du Voyageur.
In the spring of 2008, the Government of Saskatchewan
Tourism, Parks, Culture and Sport Minister Christine
Tell proclaimed in Duck Lake that “the 125th commemoration, in 2010, of the 1885 Northwest Resistance is
an excellent opportunity to tell the story of the prairie
Métis and First Nations peoples’ struggle with Government forces and how it has shaped Canada today.”[106]
Louis Riel House in Winnipeg, Manitoba.
From the late 1960s until the early 1990s, the city of
Saskatoon hosted “Louis Riel Day”, a summer celebration
that included a relay race that combined running, backpack carrying, canoeing, hill climbing, and horseback
riding along the South Saskatchewan River in the city’s
11.10. FOOTNOTES
downtown core. Traditionally, the event also included a
cabbage roll eating contest and tug-of-war competition,
as well as live musical performances. Although not affiliated with the Saskatoon Exhibition, for years Louis Riel
Day was scheduled for the day before the start of the fair,
and as such came to be considered the Exhibition’s unofficial kick-off (the scheduling of the two events was separated in later years). The event was discontinued when
major sponsors pulled out.
49
• The Canadian Crown and Aboriginal peoples
11.10 Footnotes
[1] “Louis Riel”. A database of materials held by the University of Saskatchewan Libraries and the University
Archives. Retrieved 23 September 2007.
Billy Childish wrote a song entitled “Louis Riel”, which
was performed by Thee Headcoats. Texas musician Doug
Sahm wrote a song entitled “Louis Riel,” which appeared
on the album S.D.Q. '98.[115] In the song, Sahm likens
the lore surrounding Riel to David Crockett’s legend in
his home state, spinning an abridged tale of Riel’s life as
a revolutionary: "...but you gotta respect him for what he
thought was right... And all around Regina they talk about
him still – why did they have to kill Louis Riel?"[116]
[2] Ricketts, Bruce (1998–2007). “Louis Riel – Martyr, hero
or traitor?". Archived from the original on 8 July 2007.
Retrieved 23 September 2007.
The Seattle-based Indie rock band Grand Archives also
wrote a song entitled “Louis Riel” that appears on their
2008 self-titled album.
[5] J. M. Bumsted, The Peoples of Canada:
Confederation History (1992), pp xiii, 31
A track entitled Snowin' Today: A Lament for Louis Riel
appears on the 2009 album Live: Two Nights In March
by Saskatchewan singer/guitarist Little Miss Higgins; a
studio version features on her 2010 release Across The
Plains.
[3] The Heritage Centre. “Louis Riel The Provisional Government”. Archived from the original on 10 August 2007.
[4] “Louis Riel Biography”. Government of Manitoba. Retrieved 18 December 2011.
A Post-
[6] Stanley, George F. G. (22 April 2013). “Louis Riel”. The
Canadian Encyclopedia (online ed.). Historica Canada.
[7] Bumsted, J. M.; Smyth, Julie (6 August 2013). “Red
River Colony”. The Canadian Encyclopedia (online ed.).
Historica Canada. Retrieved 5 January 2016.
On 22 October 2003, the Canadian news channel CBC [8] “University of Manitoba : Archives & Special Collections.
Canadian Wartime Experiences. Riel’s Parents and ChildNewsworld and its French-language equivalent, Réseau
[117]
hood.”. University of Manitoba. Archives & Special Colde l'information, staged a simulated retrial of Riel.
lections. 1998–2004. Retrieved 23 September 2007.
Viewers were invited to enter a verdict on the trial over
the internet, and more than 10,000 votes were received— [9] “Parks Canada – Riel House National Historic Site of
87% of which were “not guilty”.[118] The results of this
Canada ...”. Parks Canada. Retrieved 5 January 2007.
straw poll led to renewed calls for Riel’s posthumous
pardon. Also on the basis of a public poll, the CBC’s [10] Stanley (1963), pp. 13–20
Greatest Canadian project ranked Riel as the 11th “Great[11] “Parks Canada: Riel House National Historic Site of
est Canadian”.[119]
An episode of the TV-series How the West Was Won from
1979 was named L'Affaire Riel, featuring Louis Riel while
in exile in the United States.[120]
Canada Historic Themes”. Government of Canada. 5
January 2007. Retrieved 23 September 2007.
[12] Stanley (1963), pp. 26–28
In 2001, Canadian sketch comedy troupe Royal Cana- [13] “The MNO | History & Culture | Louis Riel”. Métis Nadian Air Farce featured Riel in its send-up of the CBC
tion of Ontario. 2006. Archived from the original on 7
July 2007. Retrieved 23 September 2007.
documentary series Canada: A People’s History. Significant parallels were drawn between Riel’s actions and
those of modern-day Québécois separatists, and the co- [14] Stanley (1963), pg. 33
median who portrayed Riel was made up to look like then- [15] for this section, see Stanley, Louis Riel, pp. 13–34.
Premier Lucien Bouchard.
11.9 See also
• Aboriginal Canadian personalities
• History of Manitoba
• List of Canadian First Nations leaders
• Métis National Council
[16] Dorge, Lionel. “Manitoba History: Bishop Taché and the
Confederation of Manitoba, 1969–1970”. Manitoba Historical society. Retrieved 13 November 2007.
[17] Read, Colin. “Manitoba History: The Red River Rebellion and J. S. Dennis ...”. Manitoba Historical society.
Retrieved 13 November 2007.
[18] “Canada in the Making: The Riel Rebellions”. Canadiana.org 2001–2005 (Formerly Canadian Institute for Historical Microreproductions). Retrieved 6 October 2007.
50
[19] “Reading #9: National Committee of the Métis”. Dumont
Technical Institute (DTI) Métis Studies Adult 10 course
> Module 5: Métis Resistance > Metis Studies 10. 2003.
Archived from the original on 31 August 2007. Retrieved
23 September 2007.
[20] “From Sea to Sea. The Métis Resistance The Execution
of Thomas Scott”. CBC. 2001. Retrieved 23 September
2007.
[21] “John Christian Schultz”, Virtual American Biographies
(Evisum Inc.), 2000
[22] “Louis Riel”. Virtual American Biographies. Evisum Inc.
2000. Retrieved 25 September 2007.
[23] “Metis culture 1869”. The infamous John A. MacDonald, an avid Orangeman of a foreign country, makes plans
to annex the independent Metis Nation of the North West.
METIS HISTORY. Retrieved 25 September 2007.
[24] Mitchell, Ross (January 1960). “John Christian Schultz,
M.D. – 1840–1896”. Manitoba Pageant 5 (2). Retrieved
23 September 2007.
[25] Reford, Alexander (1998). “Smith, Donald Alexander,
1st Baron Strathcona and Mount Royal”. In Cook, Ramsay; Hamelin, Jean. Dictionary of Canadian Biography.
XIV (1911–1920) (online ed.). University of Toronto
Press.
[26] Bumsted, J.M.; Foot, Richard (4 March 2015). “Red
River Rebellion”. The Canadian Encyclopedia (online
ed.). Historica Canada. Retrieved 5 January 2016.
[35] “PL-1553 Wolseley Expedition—Province of Manitoba |
General Page”. Government of Manitoba. Retrieved 23
September 2007.
[36] Bowles, Richard S (2002–2007). “MHS Transactions:
Adams George Archibald, First Lieutenant-Governor of
Manitoba”. MHS Transactions Series 3, Number 25,
1968–69 season. Manitoba Historical Society. Retrieved
23 September 2007.
[37] Ruth Swan, “and Edward A. Jerome. "'Unequal justice:'
The Metis in O’Donoghue’s Raid of 1871,” Manitoba History (2000) #39 online
[38] Richard J. Gwyn, Nation Maker: Sir John A. Macdonald:
His Life, Our Times. 1867-1891 (2011) 2:150-51
[39] “Louis Riel (1844–1885): Biography Louis Riel, Métis
leader” (PDF). Retrieved 23 September 2007.
[40] Marleau, Robert; Montpetit, Camille (2000). “House of
Commons Procedure and Practice The House of Commons and Its Members – Notes 351–373”. Parliament of
Canada. Retrieved 23 September 2007.
[41] “A Biography of Louis Riel”. The Trial of Louis Riel
Homepage. University of Missouri Kansas City School
of Law. Retrieved 24 September 2007.
[42] “Was Riel mentally ill? – Rethinking Riel – CBC
Archives”. CBC. 2006. Retrieved 24 September 2007.
[43] Hird, The Reverend Ed. “The Passion of Louis Riel”.
March 2004 Deep Cove Crier. St. Simon’s Anglican
Church. Retrieved 15 November 2007.
[27] Thomas, Lewis H. (1982). “Riel, Louis (1844-85)". In
Halpenny, Francess G. Dictionary of Canadian Biography. XI (1881–1890) (online ed.). University of Toronto
Press.
[44] “Musée McCord Museum – Fonds – Louis Riel Collection”. McCord Museum of Canadian History. Retrieved
24 September 2007.
[28] “Local Laws”. Vol I No. 18 (New Nation). 15 April 1870.
p. 3.
[45] “Louis Riel – Canadian Confederation”. Library and
Archives Canada. 14 December 2001. Archived from the
original on 4 May 2007. Retrieved 15 November 2007.
[29] Bélanger, Claude (2007). “The Murder of Thomas Scott”.
Marianopolis College. Retrieved 23 September 2007.
[46] Bushong, Mary Lynn (2007). “The Northwest Rebellion”.
edHelper. Retrieved 24 September 2007.
[30] Boulton, Charles Arkoll and Robertson, Heather (1985).
I Fought Riel. James Lorimer & Company. p. 51. ISBN
0-88862-935-4.
[47] Flanagan, Thomas (2002–2007). “Manitoba History:
Louis Riel’s Land Claims”. Louis Riel’s Land Claims.
Manitoba Historical Society. Retrieved 24 September
2007.
[31] Dimitry Anastakis (2015). Death in the Peaceable Kingdom: Canadian History since 1867 through Murder, Execution, Assassination, and Suicide. U of Toronto Press. p.
27.
[32] Lyle Dick, “Nationalism and Visual Media in Canada:
The Case of Thomas Scott’s Execution,” Manitoba History (2005) 48#1 pp:2-18
[33] Maton, William F (8 February 2006). “Appendix 5C:
Métis Nation Land and Resource Rights*". Indian and
Northern Affairs Canada. Archived from the original on
1 October 2006. Retrieved 14 November 2007.
[34] Maton, William F. “Manitoba Act, 1870”. The Solon Law
Archive. Retrieved 23 September 2007.
[48] Gaudry, Adam (2007). “Gabriel Dumont”. The Canadian
Encyclopedia (online ed.). Historica Canada. Retrieved 5
January 2016.
[49] Smyth, David (1998). “Isbister, James”. In Cook, Ramsay; Hamelin, Jean. Dictionary of Canadian Biography.
XIV (1911–1920) (online ed.). University of Toronto
Press.
[50] Welker, Glenn; The Indigenous Peoples’ Literature pages.
“Big Bear”. Retrieved 23 September 2007.
[51] “Virtual Saskatchewan – Cree Chief Poundmaker”. Virtual Saskatchewan. 1997–2007. Retrieved 24 September
2007.
11.10. FOOTNOTES
51
[52] “Louis Riel to W. Jackson 22 September 1884.: Call No.
MSS C555/2/13.7d”. Northwest Resistance Database.
University of Saskatchewan. 2006. Retrieved 15 November 2007.
[69] Bélanger, Claude (2007). “North-West Rebellion – Canadian History”. Marianopolis College. L'Encyclopédie de
l'histoire du Québec / The Quebec History Encyclopedia.
Retrieved 8 June 2012.
[53] “Jackson, William Henry to Friend? 21 January 1885.:
Call No. MSS C555/2/13.9e”. Northwest Resistance
Database. University of Saskatchewan. 2006. Retrieved
15 November 2007.
[70] “Louis Riel – Canadian Confederation”. Library and
Archives Canada. Government of Canada. 2 May 2005.
Archived from the original on 4 May 2007. Retrieved 24
September 2007.
[54] “The Dewdney Trail – Biography”. Biography of Edgar
Dewdney. Nelson & District Museum, Archives, Art
Gallery & Historical Society. All Rights Reserved. 2006.
[71] Martin, Sandra (22 September 2012). “Material history:
The rope that hanged Louis Riel”. The Globe and Mail.
Retrieved 18 March 2016.
[72] Boulton (1886), Chapter 19
[55] James Rodger Miller (2004). Reflections on Nativenewcomer Relations: Selected Essays. University of
Toronto Press. p. 44.
[73] Roderick Stewart (2002). Wilfrid Laurier. Dundurn. p.
156.
[56] Donald Creighton, Canada’s First Century: 1867-1967
(1970) p 54
[74] Mason Wade, The French Canadians: 1760-1967 (1968)
1:416-23
[57] Payment, Diane P. (1994). “Nolin, Charles”. In Cook,
Ramsay; Hamelin, Jean. Dictionary of Canadian Biography. XIII (1901–1910) (online ed.). University of
Toronto Press.
[75] Lindsay, Lionel (1911). “Louis-Honore Mercier”. The
Catholic Encyclopedia, Volume X. New York: Robert Appleton Company.
[58] Dumontet, Monique. “Essay 16 Controversy in the Commemoration of Louis Riel”. University of Western Ontario. Retrieved 15 November 2007.
[59] “Was Riel mentally ill? – Rethinking Riel – CBC
Archives”. CBC. 2006. Retrieved 24 September 2007.
[60] default. “Final Statement of Louis Riel at his trial in
Regina, 1885”. Law.umkc.edu. Retrieved 27 July 2010.
[61] “Louis Riel: A Brief Chronology” (PDF). Retrieved 24
September 2007.
[62] “Why did the 1885 Resistance Happen? The 1885 Resistance did not ...” (PDF). Virtual Museum. Retrieved 24
September 2007.
[63] “The Battle of Fish Creek (April 23, 1885) The Battle at
Fish Creek ...” (PDF). Virtual Museum. Archived from
the original (PDF) on 25 October 2007. Retrieved 24
September 2007.
[64] Beal, Bob; MacLeod, Rod; Foot, Richard (4 March
2015). “North-West Rebellion”. The Canadian Encyclopedia. Historica Canada. Retrieved 5 January 2016.
[65] “The Encyclopedia of Saskatchewan – North-West Resistance”. Canadian Plains Research Center. University of
Regina. 2006. Retrieved 24 September 2007.
[66] Basson, Lauren L. (2008). White enough to be American?.
University of North Carolina Press. p. 66. ISBN 0-80785837-4.
[67] “Final Statement of Louis Riel at his trial in Regina,
1885”. Louis Riel Trial Homepage. University of Missouri Kansas City School of Law. Retrieved 24 September 2007.
[68] George F.G. Stanley, Louis Riel: Patriot or Rebel? (1979)
p 23
[76] “BILL C-288 (First Reading)". House Publications. Parliament Government of Canada. 1994. Retrieved 24
September 2007.
[77] “Act to Revoke the Conviction of Louis Riel BILL C-288
(First Reading)". Debates of the House of Commons of
Canada 35th Parliament – 1st and 2nd Sessions. University of Missouri Kansas City School of Law Famous Trials. 1994. Retrieved 14 November 2007.
[78] “Bill Re-Introduced”. LEGISINFO – The Library of Parliament’s research tool for finding information on legislation. The House of Commons of Canada. Retrieved 15
November 2007.
[79] “Act to revoke the conviction of Louis Riel”.
[80] “BILL C-213”. Parliament Canada. The House of Commons of Canada. Retrieved 15 November 2007.
[81] “BILL C-213 first reading”. Parliament Canada. The
House of Commons of Canada. Retrieved 15 November
2007.
[82] “BILL C-417 first reading”. Parliament Canada. The
House of Commons of Canada. Retrieved 15 November
2007.
[83] Préfontaine, Darren R. (2006). “Riel, Louis “David”
(1844–85)". Encyclopedia of Saskatchewan. Canadian
Plains Research Center, University of Regina. Retrieved
15 November 2007.
[84] “Bills Re-Introduced”. LEGISINFO – The Library of Parliament’s research tool for finding information on legislation. The House of Commons of Canada. Retrieved 15
November 2007.
[85] “Employment Standards (Louis Riel Day)". Manitoba Labor Board – Employee Standards – Louis Riel Day Factsheet. The Government of Manitoba. Retrieved 17 February 2008.
52
[86] Doug Owram, ed., Canadian History: A Reader’s Guide: [106] “Tourism agencies to celebrate the 125th anniversary
vol. 2, Confederation to the Present (1994) p 18
[87] R. Douglas Francis; Richard Jones; Donald B. Smith
Saskatchewan. 7 June 2008. Retrieved 20 September
(2009). Journeys: A History of Canada. Cengage Learn2009.
ing. pp. 306–7.
[107] “Regina History Guide Tour”. Saskatchewan Genealog[88] D. N. Sprague, Canada and the Métis, 1869-1885 (1988)
ical Society – Regina Branch. Retrieved 20 September
p1
2009.
[89] William Lewis Morton (1963). The Kingdom of Canada:
[108] “RCMP traditions centre in Regina” (republished onA General History from Earliest Times. McClelland and
line Saskatchewan News Index 1884–2000 University of
Stewart. p. 371.
Saskatchewan Libraries.). Top News Stories Beginnings
and Landmarks. Leader-Post. 16 May 1955. p. 13. Re[90] Morton (1963). The Kingdom of Canada. p. 369.
trieved 20 September 2009.
[91] Roberto Perin, Rome in Canada: The Vatican and Cana[109] “History of the Royal Canadian Mounted Police”.
dian Affairs in the Late Victorian Age (1990) p 259
Mounted Police Post. Retrieved 20 September 2009.
[92] John T. Saywell, ed., Canadian Annual Review of Politics
and Public Affairs: 1971 (1973) p 94
[110] “Explore Our Heritage Louis Riel 1844–1885”. CHTS
Home Manitoba Heritage Council Commemorative
[93] J. M. Bumstead, “The 'Mahdi' of Western Canada: Lewis
Plaques. Government of Manitoba. Retrieved 20
Riel and His Papers,” The Beaver (1987) 67#4 pp 47-54
September 2009.
[94] Thomas Flanagan, Riel and the Rebellion: 1885 Reconsid- [111] “Manitoba History Red River Resistance”. Number 29,
ered (2000) p. x
Spring 1995. Manitoba Historical Society. 1998–2009.
[95] John E. Foster, “Review of Riel and the Rebellion 1885
[96]
[97]
[98]
[99]
Reconsidered By Thomas Flanagan.” Great Plains Quar[112] Bibliothèque et Archives nationales du Québec.
terly (1985) 5#4 pp. 259-60 online.
“Dictionnaire des auteurs de langue française en
Amérique du Nord – Affichage de la notice du docuThomas Flanagan, Riel and the Rebellion: 1885 Reconsidment”. Services.banq.qc.ca. Retrieved 10 September
ered (2nd ed. U of Toronto Press, 2000). p. x
2013.
Thomas Flanagan, “Louis Riel: Icon of the Left,” Transactions of the Royal Society of Canada (1986), Vol 1, pp [113] “Biography of Louis Riel: Excerpts from a comic-strip
biography”. The Trial of Louis Riel Homepage. University
219-228.
of Missouri Kansas City School of Law. Retrieved 24
Manfred Mossmann, “The Charismatic Pattern: Canada’s
September 2007.
Riel Rebellion of 1885 as a Millenarian Protest Movement,” Prairie Forum (1985) 10#2 pp 307-325.
[114] “Music Division Archival Guide—Somers, Harry, 1925–
1999”. Collections Canada. Library Archives Canada. 11
“Friday, November 22, 1996 (105)". PRIVATE MEMAugust 2003. Retrieved 24 September 2007.
BERS' BUSINESS AN ACT TO REVOKE THE CONVICTION OF LOUIS DAVID RIEL. House Publications Par- [115] “Discography”. Gourds.org. Retrieved 10 September
liament of Canada. Retrieved 15 November 2007.
2013.
[100] Bower, Shannon (2002–2007). “Manitoba History: [116] Album review by Eugene Chadbourne
“Practical Results": The Riel Statue Controversy at the
Manitoba Legislative Building”. Manitoba History, Num- [117] Strange, Carolyn (2006). “Crime, Media, Culture”
ber 42, Autumn / Winter 2001–2002. Manitoba Historical
(PDF). Hybrid history and the retrial of the painful past.
Society. Retrieved 24 September 2007.
Sage Publications Australian National University. Retrieved 14 November 2007.
[101] “Deo et Patriae: Events in the History of the University
of Saskatchewan 1980: Place Riel opens”. University of [118] Muise, Del (2002). “CSHC: Celebratory Opening FOOTSaskatchewan. Retrieved 24 September 2007.
NOTES 2”. Media and Public History: Canada: A People’s History. Centre for the Study of Historical Con[102] “Scenic Routes – The Louis Riel Trail”. Tourism
sciousness. Archived from the original on 25 May 2005.
Saskatchewan. Government of Saskatchewan. Retrieved
Retrieved 14 November 2007.
24 September 2007.
[103] Calgary Board of Education website
[104] “Louis Riel School website”.
[119] “CBC.ca – The Greatest Canadian – Top 100 – 11 to 100”.
Meet Some Great Canadians (CBC). 2007. Archived from
the original on 9 November 2007. Retrieved 14 November 2007.
[105] “Manitoba’s new holiday: Louis Riel Day Day”. Canadian
Broadcasting Corporation. 25 September 2007. Re- [120] “How the West Was Won, Affaire Riel, L”. Internet
trieved 16 November 2007.
Movie Database. Retrieved 18 July 2008.
11.11. FURTHER READING
• Brown, Chester (2003). Louis Riel: A Comic-strip
Biography. Drawn and Quarterly, Montreal. ISBN
1-896597-63-7. A biography of Riel in the form of
a graphic novel.
• Careless, J.M.S. (1991). Canada: A story of challenge. Stoddart. ISBN 0-7736-7354-7. A survey of
Canadian history.
• Flanagan, Thomas (1983). Riel and the Rebellion.
Western Producer Prairie Books, Saskatoon. ISBN
0-88833-108-8.
• Flanagan, Thomas (1992). Louis Riel. Canadian
Historical Association, Ottawa. ISBN 0-88798180-1. A short work highlighting the complexity of
Riel’s character.
• Flanagan, Thomas (1979). Louis 'David' Riel:
prophet of the new world. University of Toronto
Press, Toronto. ISBN 0-88780-118-8. An influential work portraying Riel as a religious prophet
and responsible for the rebellion; highly controversial among Riel admirers
• George R. D. Goulet (2005). The Trial of Louis Riel,
Justice and Mercy Denied. FabJob, Calgary. ISBN
1-894638-70-0. A critical legal and political analysis of Riel’s 1885 high treason trial.
• Hansen, Hans. Riel’s Defence: Perspectives on His
Speeches (2014)
• Howard, Joseph Kinsey (1952). Strange Empire: A
Narrative of the Northwest (Louis Riel and the Metis
People). William Morrow & Co, New York. ISBN
0-87351-298-7., Online text. "first reasonably accurate biography of Louis Riel to be written." An exhaustive, “objective” yet sympathetic scholarly account.
• Knox, Olive. “The Question of Louis Riel’s Insanity,” Manitoba Historical Society Transactions Series
3, Number 6, 1949-50 online
• Morton, Desmond. The Last War Drum (1972).
military history of 1885.
• Read, Geoff, and Todd Webb. "'The Catholic
Mahdi of the North West': Louis Riel and the Metis
Resistance in Transatlantic and Imperial Context.”
Canadian Historical Review (2012) 93#2 pp: 171195.
53
• Siggins, Maggie (1994). Riel: a life of revolution.
HarperCollins, Toronto. ISBN 0-00-215792-6. A
sympathetic reevaluation of Riel drawing heavily on
his own writings.
• Stanley, George (1963). Louis Riel. McGraw-Hill
Ryerson, Toronto. ISBN 0-07-092961-0. A standard Riel biography, covering most of the material
in this article; source where no other is cited.
• Thistle, Jesse. “The 1885 Northwest Resistance:
Causes to the Conflict.” HPS History and Political
Science Journal 3 (2014). online
• Barkwell, Lawrence J., Leah Dorion and Darren
Prefontaine. Metis Legacy: A Historiography and
Annotated Bibliography. Winnipeg: Pemmican
Publications Inc. and Saskatoon: Gabriel Dumont
Institute, 2001. ISBN 1-894717-03-1
• Betts, Gregory. “Non Compos Mentis: A MetaHistorical Survey of the Historiographic Narratives
of Louis Riel’s 'Insanity'", International Journal of
Canadian Studies / Revue internationale d’études
canadiennes, n° 38, 2008, p. 15-40. online
• Braz, Albert. The False Traitor: Louis Riel in Canadian Culture (University of Toronto Press, 2003)
online review
• Bumstead, J. M. “The 'Mahdi' of Western Canada:
Lewis Riel and His Papers,” The Beaver (1987)
67#4 pp 47–54
• Dick, Lyle. “Nationalism and Visual Media in
Canada: The Case of Thomas Scott’s Execution.”
Manitoba History (Autumn/Winter2004-05), Issue
48, pp 2–18. online
• Flanagan, Thomas. Riel and the Rebellion: 1885 Reconsidered (2nd ed. U of Toronto Press, 2000).
• Flanagan, Thomas. “Louis Riel: Icon of the Left,”
Transactions of the Royal Society of Canada (1986),
Vol 1, pp 219–228.
• Mossmann, Manfred. “The Charismatic Pattern:
Canada’s Riel Rebellion of 1885 as a Millenarian
Protest Movement,” Prairie Forum (1985) 10#2 pp
307–325.
• Miller, J. R. “From Riel to the Metis.” Canadian
Historical Review 69#1 (1988): 1-20.
• James Rodger Miller, “From Riel to the Métis”
(2004). Reflections on Native-newcomer Relations: Selected Essays. University of Toronto
Press. pp. 37–60., historiography
54
• Morton, Desmond. “Image of Louis Riel in 1998,”
Canadian Speeches (May 1998) 12#2 online
• Owram, Doug, ed. (1994). Canadian History: Confederation to the present. U. of Toronto Press. pp.
18, 168, 191–95, 347–50.
• Reid, Jennifer; Long, Charles & Carrasco, David
(2008), Louis Riel and the Creation of Modern
Canada: Mythic Discourse and the Postcolonial
State, Albuquerque: University of New Mexico
Press, ISBN 978-0-8263-4415-1
• Sprague, D.N. “Historiographical introduction” ch
1 of Sprague, Canada and the Métis, 1869-1885
(1988), pp 1–17.
• Stanley, George F.G. Louis Riel: Patriot or Rebel?
Canadian Historical Association Booklet No. 2
(1979) online
11.11.2
Primary sources
• Boulton, Charles A. (1886) Reminiscences of the
North-West Rebellions. Toronto. Online text. A first
person account of the rebellions.
• Riel, Louis (1985). The collected writings of Louis
Riel. ed. George Stanley. (5 vol. University of Alberta Press,. ISBN 0-88864-091-9. Riel’s own writings and letters.
11.12 External links
• CBC Digital Archives: Rethinking Riel
• Heritage Minutes: Historica Minutes (History by the
Minute): Louis Riel
• Synopsis of federal political experience from the Library of Parliament
• Louis Riel – University of Saskatchewan library
• Louis Riel, The Amnesty, Translation of L'Amnistie,
Bureau du Nouveau Monde, Montreal, 1874.
Chapter 12
Gabriel Dumont (Métis leader)
Gabriel Dumont (December 1837 – May 19, 1906) was
a leader of the Métis people of what is now Western
Canada. In 1873 Dumont was elected to the presidency
of the short-lived republic of St. Laurent; afterward he
continued to play a leading role among the Métis of the
South Saskatchewan River. He played a critical role in
bringing Louis Riel back to Canada, in order to pressure the Canadian authorities to pay attention to the troubles of the Métis people. He was adjutant general in the
provisional Métis government declared in the District of
Saskatchewan in 1885, and commanded the Métis forces
in the North-West Rebellion or North West Resistance of
1885.[1]
Bridge is today) and also farmed near there.
12.2 Resistance
Dumont’s enemies in 1885, including General Frederick
Middleton of the Northwest Field Force, praised his generalship and martial abilities. Despite huge logistic and
morale problems, he can be credited with a victory at
the Battle of Fish Creek and managed to hold off a much
larger force at the Battle of Batoche for several days. Riel
refused to let him make vital strategic actions such as
damaging railway lines to hinder the enemy’s movement,
providing the Canadian government with an advantage.
Following the defeat at Batoche, Dumont made his way
via the Cypress Hills to the Montana Territory, where he
surrendered to the U.S. Cavalry. However, the U.S. govDumont was a grandson of the French Canadian Jean- ernment determined that he was a political refugee and
Baptiste Dumont and his Sarcee-Crow wife, Josette. he was shortly released.[3]
He was the second son of Isidore Dumont and Louise
Laframboise. The family were at various times involved
in farming, trading, hunting, and trapping in what is 12.3 Later life
now the province of Saskatchewan. Gabriel was raised
a Métis, learning both French Catholic and Cree customs. By the time he was 12, he was considered an ac- In 1886, Dumont joined Buffalo Bill's Wild West, where
he received top billing as a rebel leader and crack markscomplished shot with both gun and bow, and was well
known as a master horseman. In 1848, the Dumont fam- man. He traveled with the show from July until September, but returned for brief appearances as an extra in 1887
ily moved south to the area where Regina, Saskatchewan,
[3]
would later be founded. Dumont, and his older brother and 1888.
Isidore, became buffalo hunters. Over time, Dumont While living in New York, Dumont made contacts with
learned six languages, and established a reputation as a the French Canadian community there, including French
guide, hunter and interpreter. He was also famed for Canadian nationalists who saw parallels between the suphis drinking and gambling. Dumont participated in skir- pression of the Metis rebellions and their own political sitmishes with First Nations, including the Blackfoot and uation. [3] Laurent-Olivier David, serving as president of
Sioux.
the Saint-Jean-Baptiste Society of Montreal invited DuDumont married Madeleine Wilkie, the daughter of the mont to Quebec for a lecture tour. Dumont’s criticism
Anglo-Métis chief, Jean Baptiste Wilkie, in 1858, and of Roman Catholic clergy for its lack of support for the
and
in 1862 was elected chief of his Métis band.[2] He led rebellion proved unpopular with audiences, however,
[3]
the
tour
was
cancelled
after
a
single
lecture.
the band to the North Saskatchewan River, where they
12.1 Early life
briefly settled near Fort Carlton. By 1868, the band established a permanent settlement near Batoche on the South
Saskatchewan River. In 1872 Gabriel established a ferry
service near Batoche, at “Gabriel’s Crossing” (east of
present-day Rosthern, Saskatchewan, where the Gabriel
In 1889, he provided a complete account of his experiences in the rebellion, but after that his life is poorly
documented.[3] He later claimed to have traveled to
France during this time, but he was certainly in Winnipeg
in 1893 to acquire land-scrip for his homestead near Ba-
55
56
CHAPTER 12. GABRIEL DUMONT (MÉTIS LEADER)
toche. At some point, he built a small cabin on the farm
of his nephew, Alexis Dumont, and lived there until his
death in 1906. At the time, his death went unnoticed
among the broader Canadian community, having largely
slipped from the public consciousness.[3]
12.5 See also
• James Isbister
• Lawrence Clarke
• Aboriginal Canadian personalities
• Southbranch Settlement
• Métis buffalo hunt
12.4 Legacy
Historic Sites and Monuments board of Canada. Government of Canada [4]
story of the Prairie Métis and First Nations peoples’ struggle with government forces and how it has shaped Canada
today.”[5]
Batoche, where a Métis Provisional Government had
been formed, has been declared a National Historic
Site. Batoche marks the site of Gabriel Dumont’s grave
marker, Albert Caron’s House, Batoche school, Batoche cemetery, Letendre store, Gabriels river crossing, Gardepy’s crossing, Batoche crossing, St. Antoine
de Padoue Church, Métis rifle pits, and NWMP battle
camp.[6][7]
The Gabriel Dumont Institute of Native Studies and Applied Research in Saskatchewan was named in his honour.
The Dumont Bridge over the South Saskatchewan River
east of Rosthern, Saskatchewan, is also named for him.
It is located at the site of Gabriel’s Crossing, where he
ran a small store, billiards hall and ferry service in the
late 1870s and early 1880s. There is also a park along
the South Saskatchewan in Saskatoon named for him, as
well as an equestrian statue depicting him along the river
between the Broadway and Victoria Bridges on the west
side of the South Saskatchewan River.
In 1998, the public French-first-language high school in
London, Ontario, was renamed École secondaire GabrielDumont in his honour.
12.6 Footnotes
[1] Canadian Encyclopedia Retrieved 31 Jan 2011.
[2] George R. D. Goulet; Goulet, Terry (2006). “The
Métis: Memorable Events and Memorable Personalities”.
FabJob, Calgary.
[3] Macleod, Roderick C. “Dumont, Gabriel”. Dictionary of
Canadian Biography. Retrieved 22 January 2016.
• McLean, Donald George. 1885: Metis Rebellion or
Government Conspiracy? (Pemmican Publications,
1985)
• Woodcock, George Woodcock; James Rodger
Miller (2003). Gabriel Dumont: the Métis chief and
his lost world. Broadview Press. ISBN 1-55111575-1.
12.7.1 Primary sources
• Gabriel Dumont (2009). Gabriel Dumont Speaks
(2nd ed.). Talonbooks. ISBN 9780889226258.
12.8. EXTERNAL LINKS
12.8 External links
• Biography at the Dictionary of Canadian Biography
Online
• http://library.usask.ca/northwest/background/
dumont.htm
• http://esask.uregina.ca/entry/dumont_gabriel_
1837-1906.html
• Gabriel Dumont Institute
57
Chapter 13
Frederick Dobson Middleton
“Frederick Middleton” redirects here. For the English
footballer, see Fred Middleton.
General Sir Frederick Dobson Middleton KCMG CB
(4 November 1825 – 25 January 1898) was a British general noted for his service throughout the Empire and particularly in the North-West Rebellion.
13.1 Military career
Educated at Maidstone Grammar School and the
Royal Military College, Sandhurst, Middleton was
commissioned into the 58th Regiment of Foot in 1842.[1]
He served in the New Zealand Wars and in 1845, he was
mentioned in dispatches for his part in the capture of the
stronghold of Māori chief Te Ruki Kawiti.[1]
In 1848 he transferred to the 96th Regiment of Foot
in India and took part in the suppression of the Indian
Mutiny in which campaign he was recommended for, but
not actually awarded, the Victoria Cross.[1] He went on
to be Commandant of the Royal Military College, Sandhurst, in 1879.[1]
He was appointed General Officer Commanding the
Militia of Canada in 1884.[1] In 1885 the North-West
Rebellion took place and Middleton had to respond.[1]
Despite a defeat at the Battle of Fish Creek, his cautious approach reached Batoche, Saskatchewan, where
the Métis surrendered after three days’ bombardment.[1] Lady Marie Cecile Eugenie Middleton
For his service in the war, Middleton was knighted by
Queen Victoria in 1885.[1] He also received the thanks of
Parliament and the sum of $20,000.[1]
He married in February 1870 as his second wife, Marie
He resigned as head of the Militia in 1890 when a select Cecile Eugénie Doucet, daughter of Theodore Doucet,
committee of the House of Commons criticized him for N.P., of Montreal. She was born in Montreal in 1846, and
the misappropriation of furs from a Métis named Charles was educated at the Convent of the Sacred Heart, Saultau-Recollet. The couple had two sons and a daughter. She
Bremner during the rebellion.[1]
died at Tateley, Hants, England, 1 November 1899.[2]
13.2 Family
13.3 References
Frederick Dobson Middleton married, as his first wife,
Mary Emily Hassall.[1]
58
[1] Dictionary of Canadian Biography Online
13.3. REFERENCES
[2] Morgan, Henry James Types of Canadian women and of
women who are or have been connected with Canada :
(Toronto, 1903)
59
Chapter 14
Pitikwahanapiwiyin
Pîhtokahanapiwiyin (c. 1842 – 4 July 1886), better Blackfoot and the Cree, which successfully stopped the
known as Poundmaker, was a Plains Cree chief known struggling over the now very scarce buffalo.
as a peacemaker and defender of his people.
14.2.1 North-West Resistance/Rebellion
14.1 Name
Main article: Battle of Cut Knife
According to Cree oral history, Pîhtokahanapiwiyin,
known to English speakers as Chief Poundmaker, inherited his name from his grandfather who had a special
ability to attract buffalo into pounds; however, another
source[1] states that the name was awarded to him because
of his own skill with the use of these pounds (and does
not relate to his ancestry). A buffalo pound resembled
a huge corral with walls covered by the leaves of thick
bushes. Usually herds of buffalo were stampeded into
this trap, or on other occasions, the buffalo were drawn
in by a person like Pîhtokahanapiwiyin, who was according to tradition, gifted by spirit helpers to use a special
song to lure in the buffalo. As he sang, he used a drum.
The song enticed the lead buffalo cow to bring her herd
into the enclosure.[2]
14.2 Biography
Poundmaker was born in Rupert’s Land, near present
day Battleford; the child of Sikakwayan, an Assiniboine
medicine man, and a mixed-blood Cree woman, the sister of Chief Mistawasis.[3] Following the death of his
parents, Poundmaker, his brother Yellow Mud Blanket,
and his younger sister, were all raised by their mother’s
Cree community, led by Chief Wuttunee, but later known
as the Red Pheasant Band. In his adult life, Poundmaker gained prominence during the 1876 negotiations
of Treaty 6 and split off to form his own band. In 1881,
the band settled on a reserve about 40 km northwest of
Fort Battleford.[3] Poundmaker was not opposed of the
idea of a treaty, but became critical of the Canadian government’s failures to live up to its promises.[3]
The shortage of bisons left Poundmaker’s people desperately hungry, and in 1885, they traveled south to
Battleford. Oral history accounts suggest Poundmaker
went to the fort to speak with the Indian agent, Rae, and
reaffirm his loyalty to the Queen after a murder at the
nearby Mosquito Reserve; however, the people of Battleford and some of the settlers in the surrounding area,
hearing reports of large numbers of Cree and Assiniboine leaving reserves and making their way to Battleford,
feared for their safety. On the night of 30 March 1885,
townspeople began to abandon the town and seek shelter
in the North-West Mounted Police Fort Battleford. When
Poundmaker and his party reached the town, the first nation agent refused to come out of the fort to meet with
them. He kept them waiting for two days. Telegrams sent
by those barricaded in the fort indicated they believed it
was an attack, but Peter Ballantyne exited the fort and,
acting as a spy, checked Poundmaker’s plans and found
his intentions peaceful.[4]
Looting of the abandoned buildings of the town took
place, but the identity of the looters is disputed. Some reports claimed Poundmaker’s people were responsible, but
one observer alleged that most of the looting had already
been done by whites.[5] Oral history accounts claim that
the looting was done by Nakoda people, and that Poundmaker did his best to stop it.[6] Either way, Poundmaker’s
people left the next day.
On 2 May 1885, a military force of 332 Canadian troops,
led by Lieutenant-Colonel William Dillon Otter, attacked
Poundmaker’s camp near Cut Knife Hill.[3] Lieutenant
R.S. Cassels, attached to the command of the “C” School,
a military division of the troops under Otter, stated the
following:
In 1873, Crowfoot, chief of the Blackfoot First Nation,
had adopted Poundmaker thereby increasing the latter’s
influence. This move also cemented the ties between the
60
“About 4 P.M. the column starts. Our force
is eight scouts; sixty Mounted Police under
14.3. LEGACY
Captain Neale; “B” Battery, eighty men under Major Short; “C” School, forty-five men
under Lieutenant Wadmore, No. 1 Company, Queen’s Own Rifles, under Captain
Brown, fifty-five men; Battleford Rifles, under Captain Nash, forty men; twenty men
of the Guards under Lieutenant Gray and
Queen’s Own Rifles Ambulance Corps; Surgeon Lesslie; Sergeant Fere and eight men;
Colonel Otter in command; and Colonel Herchmer,Surgeon Strange, Captain Mutton and
Lieutenant Sears on the Staff. Hume Cronyn,
E.C. Acheson, and Blakely of “K,” McLennan
and Prior of “T,” Farin Wallace and Grierson
of “H,” Fraser and A.J. Boyd of “F” are attached to No. 1”[7]
61
said to Riel “You did not catch me, I gave myself up. I
wanted peace.” [9] At his trial, he is reported to have said:
“Everything that is bad has been laid against me
this summer, there is nothing of it true.[10] ...
Had I wanted war, I would not be here now. I
should be on the prairie. You did not catch me.
I gave myself up. You have got me because I
wanted justice.”[11]
Because of the power of his adopted father, Crowfoot,
Poundmaker’s hair was not cut in prison, and he served
only seven months. Nonetheless, his stay there devastated
his health and led to his death (from a lung hemorrhage)
in 1886, at the age of 44.[3] He was buried at Blackfoot
Crossing near Gleichen, Alberta, but his remains were exhumed in 1967, and reburied on the Poundmaker ReserWhen the army was forced to retreat, Poundmaker, who vation, Saskatchewan.
had not taken part in the fight, prevented his warriors from
Pictures from the exhumation and reburial were donated
pursuing the soldiers. It is thought that this action preto the Allen Sapp museum in North Battleford.
vented the loss of many lives on both sides since a serious
amount of counter-measures would have had to be placed
to cover the retreat—and the Cree fought best while their
14.3 Legacy
enemy was retreating.[8]
14.2.2
Aftermath
The Poundmaker Cree Nation continues to this day,
near Cut Knife. His grandnephew John Tootoosis, Cree
leader, and great-grandnephew Gordon Tootoosis, actor,
both lived on this reserve.
14.4 References
[1] Poundmaker, The Encyclopedia of Saskatchewan
[2] Mandelbaum, David G. (1940). The Plains Cree: An
Ethnographic, Historical, and Comparative Study. New
York: Aims Pr Inc. ISBN 978-0-404-15626-8.
[3] Poundmaker, Encyclopedia of Saskatchewan
[4] Stonechild, Readings in Canadian History, Volume 2, 66
[5] Robert Jefferson, Fifty Years on the Saskatchewan, 127
[6] Stonechild, Blair. “An Indian View of the 1885 Uprising”
in “Sweet Promises: A Reader on Indian White Relations
in Canada”, J.R. Miller (ed)
[7] Mcleod, R.C. (Ed.) (1983). Reminiscenses of a Bungle by
One of the Bunglers: and Two Other Northwest Rebellion
Diaries Edmonton: The University of Alberta Press, 150.
[8] Light, Douglas W. Footprints in the Dust. Turner-Warwick
Publications, 1987.
With the news of Louis Riel's actions and defeat at [9] Stonechild, Readings in Canadian History, Volume 2, 70
Batoche, Poundmaker went there to surrender. On the
[10] Canada, Sessional Papers, 1886, No. 52, 336
basis of a letter written by Louis Riel bearing his name,
Poundmaker was convicted of treason in 1885 and sen- [11] Dictionary of Canadian Biography Online (2000).
tenced to three years in Stony Mountain Penitentiary. He
“Poundmaker”. Retrieved 8 January 2007.
62
14.5 External links
• Pîhtokahanapiwiyin(Poundmaker)
Online
• CBC article “Photos of Cree chief surface”
CHAPTER 14. PITIKWAHANAPIWIYIN
Chapter 15
Big Bear
For other uses, see Big Bear (disambiguation).
with five ivory claws hanging from it, which he called the
Chief’s Son’s Hand.[5] This necklace was the source of
his nickname “Maskwa”, meaning bear, and “Mistahi”,
Big Bear also known as Mistahi-maskwa (c.1825 – 17
[6]
[1]
January 1888 ) was a powerful and popular Cree chief meaning much.
who played many pivotal roles in Canadian history. He It is reported that over the course of Big Bear’s life he took
was appointed to chief of his band at the age of 40 upon several wives, in turn producing at least four male children
the death of his father, Black Powder, under his father’s who would carry on his name.[7] However, there is little
harmonious and inclusive rule which directly impacted documentation to support the names of these individuals.
his own leadership. Big Bear is most notable for his in- Before becoming a great leader, Big Bear became a
volvement in Treaty Six, he was one of the few chief great warrior, taking warriors under his fathers comleaders who objected to the signing of the treaty with mand on missions which he described as “haunting the
the Canadian government. He felt that signing the treaty Blackfoot”.[8] Upon the death of his father Black Powder
would ultimately have devastating effects on his tribe as in the winter of 1864, the Cree band with over 100 memwell as other Aboriginal tribes. This included losing the bers was in need of a new chief. Big Bear was 40 years
free nomadic lifestyle that his tribe and others were ac- old and was the obvious choice as the next leader of the
customed to. Big Bear also took part in one of the last Cree people.
major battles between the Cree and the Blackfoot tribe.
He was one of the leaders to lead his people against the
last largest battle on the Canadian Plains.[2]
15.2 Historical context
15.1 Early life and leadership
Big Bear(Mistahi-maskwa) was born in 1825 in Jackfish Lake, near North Battleford, Saskatchewan. His father, Black Powder, was the chief of a tribe of 80 Plains
Cree-Saulteaux people who were deemed to be “true
nomadic hunters”.[3] Little is known about Big Bear’s
mother. When Big Bear was old enough to walk on his
own he spent his time wandering the camp socializing
with many people, from the women to council members.
In the spring of 1837, smallpox struck Big Bear’s community and caused the quick departure of the Cree from
the plains.Big Bear was infected with the virus but unlike many in the community, after two months of suffering he overcame it although it did leave his face partly
disfigured.[4] After his recovery from smallpox, Big Bear
began to spend a great deal of time with his father, including a journey by the two of them to Bull’s Forehead
Hill, where they spent a great deal of time reflecting and
offering to their gods and spirits. Upon his reflection, Big
Bear was visited by many spirits, but the bear took great
prominence in his mind. After his reflection was complete he created a fur necklace in the shape of a bear paw
The Western Plains Aboriginal population underwent a
cultural, environmental and structural change starting in
the mid 1870s and continuing into the late 1800s. The
Dominion of Canada was attempting to cultivate the land
that the indigenous population occupied for European settlers. The treaties were the method of choice by the government to gain rights to the land; all Aboriginal groups
were given the opportunity, according to the government,
to sign and receive the benefits of the treaty terms. However the Aboriginal groups who did not want to sign were
ultimately forced to sign because of environmental and
cultural changes in 1870-1885.[9] The largest contributing factor to this was the disappearance of the bison
which created a region-wide famine; in addition to this
there was the emergence and widespread epidemic of
tuberculosis which had a devastating effect on the indigenous population.[10] The disappearance of the bison
has been explained to some extent by the over hunting
by white settlers and Aboriginals to supply the fur trade
which ultimately lead to the famine. There were some
attempts by the Canadian government to conserve the bison but the measures were not enacted in time to stop the
drastic depletion of the bison food supply.[11] In the early
63
64
CHAPTER 15. BIG BEAR
1880s tuberculosis was the main killer of the Indigenous
people on the reserve, this disease was brought over by
European settlers and spread through coughing and the
sharing of pipes during tobacco-smoking ceremonies.[10]
The disappearance of the bison was devastating to the Indigenous population because hunting allowed them to be
self-sufficient and free from the dominion government;
once the bison disappeared their need for assistance was
imperative.[12] The Canadian government was the only
option of survival but this meant signing the numbered
treaties which would change their culture indefinitely.
During this time Big Bear tried to withhold his signature from the treaty so that his people might get better
terms but by 1885 malnutrition was severe and the meager rations given by the dominion government did not
supply enough food. Big Bear was ultimately forced to
sign the treaty to save his people from starvation and disease because the dominion government would not help
unless they signed.[13] These factors contributed to the
many deaths of Aboriginal leaders leaving tribes without
their history, which was taught by the elderly, and without men to lead their tribes changing their life from that
point on.
15.3 Conflict with other aboriginal
tribes
A letter from General Middleton to Big Bear, urging him to surrender
in. A constant enemy of the Cree was the Blackfoot
tribe and in 1870 Big Bear was involved in an attack
against the Blackfoot near present-day Lethbridge, Alberta. The Cree band lost between 200-300 warriors
while the Blackfoot only lost 40, it was known to be
the largest Indian battle to be fought on the Canadian
Plains.[2]
15.4 Treaty 6
Big Bear trading at Fort Pitt in 1884 (from left to right) Four Sky
Thunder, Sky Bird, Matoose, Napasis, Big Bear, Angus McKay,
Otto Dufresne, Louis Goulet, Stanley Simpson, Mr. Rowley,
Alex McDonald, Captain R. B. Sletch, Mr. Edmund, and Henry
Dufrain.[14]
To be a Plains Cree aboriginal man it was an expectation
to be an accomplished hunter and warrior, Big Bear was
no exception to the rule. Big Bear was known to be a
strong warrior and was often, as an adult, called upon to
defend the community. A Cree man, to raise his position
in the community, participated in raids and or attacks of
enemy tribes which meant stealing of horses, land and
food from their enemies. Big Bear’s main responsibility was to be a hunter and provide for his family but he
was involved in attacks against the enemies of the Cree
Aboriginals.[15] The battle of the Belly River was one
of the largest battles the Cree Aboriginals were involved
As the 1870s began, Big Bear and his tribe had reached
the high point of development for their Band. It started to
become more and more apparent as time passed that these
conditions would not remain the same forever. Disease
had begun to ravage his people and the declining numbers
of Buffalo threatened their food source and economy.[16]
This was quite worrisome for Big Bear as both a father
and a chief, and he knew something was needed to be
done. On 14 August 1874, The Hudson Bay Company
visited Big Bear and his fellow Cree people. This was
seen as peculiar to Big Bear and his people as the Hudson
Bay Company would have had to travel 7 days from the
nearest trading post to visit their camp. The Hudson Bay
Company arrived with four wagons full of supplies.[17]
Factor William McKay came along for the trip, (as he
was an old friend with Big Bear) and while he was there he
warned Big Bear of the establishment of the North West
15.5. LIFE AFTER TREATY 6 AND THE TRIAL OF BIG BEAR
65
ing as well as pursue better terms for Treaty Six.
Big Bear made several attempts to warn the others against
signing Treaty 6, at one point Big Bear rode by horse back
to each lodge in the area urging people not to sign the
treaty and not to give up the land, because it was so rich
in natural resources.[22] Big Bear also resisted publicly at
both Fort Carleton and Pitt, where the treaty was being
signed. Big Bear understood the importance of making
the best of this treaty as it would have implications on
the generations to come. Big Bear also questioned the
Eurocentric world view and new order being brought forth
with these treaties.[23]
There were also attempts made by others to discredit Big
Bear in his attempt to pursue/change Treaty 6. John McDougall tried on several occasions to discount him. He
claimed Big Bear was an outsider, that he was not of the
area and did not deserve the esteem he carried among
the people of this area.[24] This was not true as he was a
Cree but also his father was Saulteaux (the other aboriginal group present in the signing of Treaty 6). He was not
an outsider but rather leader of a group of people who
had elements of both cultures.[25]
Survivor of the Frog Lake Massacre William Bleasdell Cameron
with Horse Child, 12-year-old son of Big Bear. They were photographed together in Regina in 1885 during the trial of Big Bear.
Cameron testified in Big Bear’s defense.
Mounted Police in the area. McKay told Big Bear of how
the North West Mounted Police were here to preserve the
west as Canadian and how they were not to interfere with
but to protect aboriginal interests.[18] At the end of the
visit, McKay and the HBC distributed gifts to the 65 tents
of Big Bear`s people, however some were reluctant, they
viewed the gifts and the North West Mounted Police as
a means of appeasement and incentive to start the treaty
process with Canada.[19]
Big Bear began talks with the Canadian government in the
1870s in an attempt to work out a treaty. Big Bear was
never open to the idea of reserve life, as he feared his loss
of freedom and identity as a hunter.[20] But he knew as
food sources grew weaker, and the best way for him and
his band to avoid starvation was to sign a treaty with the
Canadian government. By 1876, all major Plains Cree
chiefs had signed Treaty 6 except for Big Bear. Big Bear
stalled signing as he believed that the Canadian government would surely violate the treaty upon its signing. Big
Bear said “we want none of the Queen’s presents: When
we set a fox trap we scatter pieces of meat all around but
when the fox gets into the trap we knock him on the head.
We want no baits. Let your chiefs come like men and talk
to us.”[21] Big Bear strongly believed that the Canadian
government was simply telling him and his fellow chiefs
what they wanted to hear. This led Big Bear to resist sign-
Big Bear resisted from signing from as long as he could
but eventually had to sign treaty six in 1882. He did so
because he believed he had no other choice.[26] Big Bear
believed he was betrayed by the other chiefs as they signed
the treaty after all of his warnings. Big Bear’s hope of
negotiating a more favourable treaty for his people was
over.
15.5 Life after Treaty 6 and the
Trial of Big Bear
Big Bear had resisted signing Treaty 6 for four years.
With food supplies running low and his people facing
starvation, he was forced to sign the Treaty.[27] After signing the Treaty, Big Bear and his people could not decide
where their reserve would be. Though they did not want
to live on a reserve, in order to receive food rations from
the government a location needed to be decided on. The
first winter after signing the treaty, Big Bear and his people did not receive any rations as they had not decided
what reserve to live on.[28] In 1885 Big Bear had chosen a reserve to live on. After Big Bear was unable to
choose a reserve quickly, he began losing influence over
his people. Cree Chief Wandering Spirit rose in authority among the Cree people.[29] When the Métis initiated
the North-West Rebellion of 1885 under Louis Riel and
Gabriel Dumont, Big Bear and his supporters played a
minimal role in the overall uprising, Big Bear’s son Little
Bear joined with Chief Wandering Spirit to go to Frog
Lake and kill some of the white residents. Nine men
were killed, and this later became known as the Frog
Lake Massacre. Though Big Bear tried to stop this from
happening, as he was a Chief he was arrested for trea-
66
son. Big Bear had tried to solve the problems between
his people and the Canadian government peacefully.[30]
Many people felt Big Bear would be found ‘not guilty’ as
he had tried to stop the Massacre at Frog Lake and tried
to protect those that were taken prisoner. At the time of
the trial, Big Bear was 60 years old. The trial was confusing for Big Bear as the trial was in English, and had
to be translated into Cree. Hugh Dempsey has stated in
his book, that Stanley Simpson, a man who was taken
prisoner at Fort Pitt, was the only man to appear for the
Prosecution. Much of the evidence was in favour of Big
Bear innocence. The evidence was clear that Big Bear
had not taken part in killings at Frog Lake or the looting
and taking of prisoners at Fort Pitt. However, Big Bear
was found guilty of treason and sentenced to three years at
Stony Mountain Penitentiary in Manitoba. In 1887, after
serving two years of his sentence, Big Bear was released
due to failing health conditions. Big Bear died soon after being released on the Poundmaker Reserve in January
1888 at 62 years of age.
[10] Daschuk, James. Clearing the Plains: Disease, Politics of
Starvation, and the Loss of Aboriginal Life. University of
Regina Press. pp. 99–100. ISBN 978-0-88977-296-0.
[11] Friessen, Gerald (1987). The Canadian Prairies: A History. Toronto: University of Toronto Press. p. 150. ISBN
0-8020-6648-8.
[12] Daschuk, James. Clearing the Plains: Disease, Politics of
Starvation, and the Loss of Aboriginal Life. University of
Regina Press. ISBN 978-0-88977-296-0.
[13] Daschuk, James (2013). Clearing the Plains: Disease, Politics of Starvation and the Loss of Aboriginal Life. University of Regina Press. pp. 160–161. ISBN 978-0-889772960.
[14] http://scaa.sk.ca/ourlegacy/permalink/23713
[15] Jenish, D'arcy (1999). Indian Fall: The Last Great Days
of the Plains Cree and the Blackfoot Confederacy. Toronto,
Ontario: Penguin Group. p. 49. ISBN 0-670-88090-6.
[16] Miller, James Rodger (1996). Big Bear, Mistahimusqua.
Toronto: ECW Press. p. 58.
15.6 Legacy
[17] Miller, James Rodger (1996). Big Bear, Mistahimusqua.
Big Bear is largely known for his role with Treaty 6 and his
dealings with the Canadian Government, however from [18] Miller, James Rodger (1996). Big Bear, Mistahimusqua.
his humble beginning to Big Bear’s trial he will always be
remembered by his people as a man who fought peace- [19] Miller, James Rpdger (1996). Big Bear, Mistahimusqua.
fully for the rights of his band. Big Bear led his band for
20 years, and he has left a legacy among his people for
[20] Allard, Jean (2002). “Big Bear’s treaty: The road to freegenerations to come.
dom”. Inroads.
15.7 References
[1] Mistahimaskwa, Dictionary of Canadian Biography Online
[2] Wiebe, Rudy. “MISTAHIMASKWA (Big Bear)". Dictionary of Canadian Biography. University of Toronto.
[3] Wiebe, Rudy (September 16, 2008). Extraordinary
Canadians Big Bear. Penguin Toronto. p. 7.
Canadians Big Bear. Penguin Toronto. pp. 10–11.
[7] Wiebe, Rudy. “MISTAHIMASKWA”. Dictionary of
Canadian Biography. University of Toronto. Retrieved
April 1, 2015.
[9] Friesen, Gerald (1987). The Canadian Prairies: A History. University of Toronto Press. pp. 148–149. ISBN
0-8020-6648-8.
[21] McLeod, Neil (1999).
“RETHINKING TREATY
SIX IN THE SPIRIT OF MISTAHI MASKWA (BIG
BEAR)". The Canadian Journal of Native Studies.
[22] McLeod, Neal (1999).
“RETHINKING TREATY
SIX IN THE SPIRIT OF MISTAHI MASKWA (BIG
BEAR)". The Canadian Journal of Native studies XIX:
70.
[23] Mcleod, Neal (1999). “RETHINKING TREATY SIX IN
THE SPIRIT OF MISTAHI MASKWA (BIG BEAR)".
The Canadian Journal of Native studies XIX: 71.
The Canadian Journal of Native studies XIX: 75–76.
The Canadian Journal of Native studies XIX: 76.
[26] Allard, Jean (2002). “Big Bear’s Treaty: The road to freedom”. Inroads 11: 117.
[27] Dempsey, Hugh (2006). Big Bear: The End of Freedom.
University of Regina Press. p. 120.
[28] Thompson, Christian (2004). Saskatchewan First Nations:
Lives Past and Present. University of Regina. p. 28.
15.9. EXTERNAL LINKS
[29] Thompson, Christian (2004). Saskatchewan First Nations:
Live Past and Present. University of Regina Press. p. 28.
[30] Dempsey, Hugh (2006). Big Bear: The End of Freedom.
University of Regina Press. p. 122.
• Hugh Dempsey, Big Bear : The End of Freedom,
Vancouver: Douglas & McIntyre, 1984. ISBN 088894-506-X
• Blair Stonechild and Bill Waiser. Loyal Till Death:
Indians and the North-West Rebellion (1997)
• Rudy Wiebe, The Temptations of Big Bear, Toronto:
McClelland & Stewart, 1995. ISBN 0-7710-3454-7
• Jim Miller, Big Bear: (Mistahimusqua), Toronto:
ECW, 1996. ISBN 1-55022-272-4
15.9 External links
• Mistahimaskwa (Big Bear)
Online
• “Chief Big Bear”. Cree Indian Leader. Find a
Grave. Dec 7, 2003. Retrieved Aug 18, 2011.
67
68
15.10 Text and image sources, contributors, and licenses
15.10.1
Text
• North-West Rebellion Source: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/North-West_Rebellion?oldid=720907375 Contributors: Brion VIBBER,
Maury Markowitz, Frank Warmerdam, Kchishol1970, Ahoerstemeier, Stan Shebs, Julesd, Jfitzg, Adam Bishop, Doradus, Omegatron,
Topbanana, Indefatigable, Dimadick, Bearcat, RedWolf, DocWatson42, Shanemcd, Tom harrison, Varlaam, Quinwound, Rsloch, Geni,
Formeruser-81, Albrecht, FelineAvenger, Mzajac, PBrain, Alperen, Discospinster, Rich Farmbrough, Bender235, CanisRufus, Mwanner,
Bobo192, Smalljim, Shenme, Lokifer, Sam Korn, Pearle, Alansohn, JYolkowski, LtNOWIS, McMuff, Kurieeto, Fawcett5, Hohum, BrentS,
Evil Monkey, Itschris, Sciurinæ, Geraldshields11, Embryomystic, Firsfron, Mindmatrix, Stefanomione, Dysepsion, WBardwin, Ketiltrout,
Rjwilmsi, Mayumashu, Tim!, Joe Decker, Yamamoto Ichiro, Latka, Margosbot~enwiki, RexNL, Gurch, Leslie Mateus, Phoenix2~enwiki,
Jaraalbe, Cornellrockey, Vmenkov, EamonnPKeane, Rsrikanth05, Wimt, Rjensen, Retired username, Brian Crawford, Wyldkat, Moe Epsilon, Alex43223, LaLa, Gadget850, NYArtsnWords, Katieh5584, SmackBot, Small Profit, KnowledgeOfSelf, Skeezix1000, Eskimbot,
Flying Canuck, Mike McGregor (Can), Srnec, Yamaguchi , Gilliam, Bluebot, Skookum1, Anabus, Trekphiler, Donmcc, Can't sleep,
clown will eat me, Fishhead64, Nick Levine, Masalai, Natty10000, Kevlar67, Freemarket, Pilotguy, SirIsaacBrock, HDarke, Dumelow,
IronGargoyle, SQGibbon, Neddyseagoon, Qyd, Keith-264, Iridescent, JayZ, CuffX, 67854678907, KenWalker, Courcelles, Threadnecromancer, Adam Keller, CmdrObot, ShelfSkewed, Themightyquill, Gogo Dodo, Corpx, Fifo, DumbBOT, DBaba, Optimist on the run,
Marek69, Miller17CU94, AgentPeppermint, Dgies, Nick Number, AntiVandalBot, Majorly, Seaphoto, List of marijuana slang terms,
Husond, Grant Gussie, Igodard, Hut 8.5, PhilKnight, VoABot II, Radioactive Superfly, DerHexer, Edward321, MartinBot, CliffC, Centpacrr, CommonsDelinker, Patar knight, J.delanoy, Trusilver, Davidprior, Shawn in Montreal, Screen111, Dr d12, SriMesh, Robertgreer,
Juliancolton, Xiahou, RJASE1, Funandtrvl, Mastrchf91, Z.E.R.O., Jediknightyoda, Ng.j, Carlsbad science, Meters, Brclayton, K. Annoyomous, Tiddly Tom, Malcolmxl5, Keilana, Quitesilly, Bentogoa, Flyer22 Reborn, Eóin, Wilson44691, Username9000, Ballzey, Noremedy~enwiki, Lightmouse, Hobartimus, Fratrep, WikiLaurent, ClueBot, The Thing That Should Not Be, TheOldJacobite, Foofbun,
Parkwells, Scottlawson11, Excirial, Cenarium, Doprendek, Aitias, DumZiBoT, Mr Larrington, IOU4BJ, Gwandoya, Khazzhar, J Hazard, Felix Folio Secundus, Addbot, Boyerk1981, Heavenlyblue, Willking1979, Muffyn, Dj Jenkem, Fred123fred, The connman, Glane23,
Tyw7, Tassedethe, Tide rolls, Gail, Yobot, Fraggle81, Wikipedian2, QueenCake, Tempodivalse, AnomieBOT, Ulric1313, Materialscientist, Canuck-qw, Gurisguyss, LilHelpa, GenQuest, Shirik, Jamesrnorwood, Anotherclown, Moxy, A.amitkumar, Pamdhiga, Ssfreak1992,
Jaystubbs, Rushbugled13, Serols, Fox Wilson, Kayoty, EyeKnows, Fry1989, DARTH SIDIOUS 2, Hantsheroes, Typewriter99, Alphasniper, ZéroBot, Dolovis, Bloom6132, H3llBot, Furries, Donner60, NTox, Slickmoves, ClueBot NG, Zuzubak, This lousy T-shirt, Yourmomblah, Widr, Cowik, Helpful Pixie Bot, Gob Lofa, Arnavchaudhary, JoJaEpp, Shawnshur, PhnomPencil, Aidanfletcher, Joseon Empire, Gordandrews, BattyBot, ~riley, W.D., Arr4, Cyberbot II, The Illusive Man, ChrisGualtieri, Nikalion, 86steveD, Esszet, Rorossier,
E-TREATY, Lugia2453, Frosty, Elevatorrailfan, RotlinkBot, ArmbrustBot, Chunky monkey 69, UnbiasedVictory, C. Luke Gurbin, Sportsguy17, Monkbot, BethNaught, BrightonC, Lor, Mewiththeface20, MRD2014, Adam (Wiki Ed), Cm7 smcs, Irishblackwolf, CAPTAIN
RAJU, Neyihawak-Iskwew, Hudson9190, Se hawes, Darkduke360 and Anonymous: 368
• Battle of Duck Lake Source: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Battle_of_Duck_Lake?oldid=720084359 Contributors: Indefatigable,
Huangdi, Sietse, Gdr, Albrecht, Rich Farmbrough, Rupertslander, Jberkan, McMuff, Fawcett5, Canadian Paul, Ketiltrout, Rjwilmsi, Matt
Deres, Ahunt, YurikBot, Kirill Lokshin, Wyldkat, LaLa, Gadget850, Elkman, SmackBot, Pfly, Skeezix1000, Fishhead64, Kukini, Christian75, PKT, CharlotteWebb, The Anomebot2, Gabriel Kielland, CommonsDelinker, SriMesh, Kelapstick, Jackfork, Neil-R-Rogers, Caltas, Sscott328, Rosiestep, Sfan00 IMG, ClueBot, Editor2020, DumZiBoT, Skunkboy74, Bilsonius, J Hazard, Addbot, Alanscottwalker,
Yobot, Magog the Ogre, Jim1138, Materialscientist, Xqbot, Moxy, Haydenbecker, FrescoBot, Pamdhiga, Kayoty, DASHBot, Dolovis,
ClueBot NG, Camurg, ChrisGualtieri, Dreamatorium, Mogism, Izkala, Sunekit and Anonymous: 34
• Looting of Battleford Source: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Looting_of_Battleford?oldid=694095853 Contributors: Indefatigable,
Bearcat, McMuff, Pigman, Bachrach44, SmackBot, Kevlar67, Qyd, P199, Harej bot, CommonsDelinker, SriMesh, Queenmomcat, Kayoty,
ArmbrustBot and Anonymous: 3
• Frog Lake Massacre Source: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Frog_Lake_Massacre?oldid=720770284 Contributors: Samw, Adam Bishop,
FelineAvenger, D6, McMuff, Embryomystic, Tabletop, Ketiltrout, Lairor, Ground Zero, DVdm, Wavelength, Pigman, Abarry, Wyldkat,
SmackBot, Verne Equinox, Backspace, Kevlar67, SirIsaacBrock, CastorCanada, Themightyquill, JamesAM, Masticore~enwiki, JustAGal,
Dalliance, The Anomebot2, Drm310, Grapher78, CommonsDelinker, Octopus-Hands, Shawn in Montreal, SriMesh, Mcsnet, Yoho2001,
Jungegift, ClueBot, Franamax, Shaliya waya, Parkwells, Piledhigheranddeeper, Trivialist, Käptn Weltall, Bilsonius, Good Olfactory, J
Hazard, Addbot, Green Squares, Whereareyouroaming, Jim1138, GenQuest, Moxy, Stoneridge, Kayoty, DARTH SIDIOUS 2, Hwy43,
John of Reading, Wikipelli, FrancescoXXXX, ClueBot NG, Yourmomblah, BG19bot, PhnomPencil, EdwardH, BattyBot, Smokeridge,
UnbiasedVictory, Kflynn2015 and Anonymous: 30
• Battle of Fort Pitt Source: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Battle_of_Fort_Pitt?oldid=694045214 Contributors: Albrecht, Rich Farmbrough, Kevin Myers, Fawcett5, Alai, Canadian Paul, RetiredUser167213, Pigman, LaLa, SmackBot, Fishhead64, Backspace, Kevlar67,
SirIsaacBrock, Cydebot, PKT, Masticore~enwiki, The Anomebot2, CommonsDelinker, Patar knight, SriMesh, Jevansen, Meters, Thingg,
Thebestofall007, Lightbot, Yobot, AnomieBOT, Seahorseruler, Kayoty, DASHBot, Shearonink, Kamster1 and Anonymous: 6
• Battle of Fish Creek Source: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Battle_of_Fish_Creek?oldid=717907962 Contributors: Gdr, Albrecht, D6,
Rich Farmbrough, Rupertslander, CWood, McMuff, Fawcett5, Wiggy!, BD2412, Enzo Aquarius, Alaney2k, RobertG, Kafziel, Manxruler,
Wyldkat, LaLa, Gadget850, That Guy, From That Show!, SmackBot, Skeezix1000, Popo le Chien, Gilliam, Chris the speller, EncMstr, Fishhead64, Backspace, Agentscott00, Themightyquill, PKT, Epbr123, CommonsDelinker, Patar knight, J.delanoy, Katharineamy, SriMesh,
STBotD, Keilana, ClueBot, J Hazard, Addbot, Fraggle81, LilHelpa, Boogerbrad, FrescoBot, Trappist the monk, Kayoty, DASHBot, WikitanvirBot, Josve05a, Dolovis, H3llBot, ClueBot NG, Dsrichards, IconicCC, Cyberbot II, ChrisGualtieri, RotlinkBot, 123456987gmb,
WPGA2345, Izkala and Anonymous: 29
• Battle of Cut Knife Source: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Battle_of_Cut_Knife?oldid=707356397 Contributors: Gsl, Delirium, Indefatigable, MK~enwiki, Bearcat, RedWolf, Chris Roy, Texture, Halibutt, Hadal, Decumanus, ChicXulub, Gdr, Albrecht, Neutrality,
JamesTeterenko, Rich Farmbrough, Rupertslander, Kurieeto, Fawcett5, Username314, Rjwilmsi, CraigWyllie, Choess, Jaraalbe, Kirill Lokshin, Howcheng, Wyldkat, LaLa, Gadget850, Elkman, SmackBot, Skeezix1000, Hmains, Fishhead64, Ohconfucius, HDarke, KenWalker,
Tawkerbot2, Themightyquill, Victoriaedwards, JamesAM, AntiVandalBot, The Anomebot2, MetsBot, MartinBot, Hogie75, Kevinsam,
CommonsDelinker, Dermanus, SriMesh, SKDodd, Anonyminous, Ja 62, Kelapstick, Ng.j, InternetHero, DavisGL, Excirial, Spoonkymonkey, J Hazard, Addbot, Heavenlyblue, Jojhutton, TutterMouse, Gail, Anotherclown, Qingda97:awsome, Kayoty, DASHBot, ZéroBot,
Doomedtx, H3llBot, ClueBot NG, Gob Lofa, JoJaEpp, BattyBot, Cyberbot II, ChrisGualtieri, I eat BC Fish and Anonymous: 43
15.10. TEXT AND IMAGE SOURCES, CONTRIBUTORS, AND LICENSES
69
• Battle of Batoche Source: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Battle_of_Batoche?oldid=721570829 Contributors: Indefatigable, Saforrest, Bobblewik, Gdr, BruceR, Albrecht, Lucky13pjn, Ukexpat, Discospinster, Rich Farmbrough, Rupertslander, Circeus, McMuff, Fawcett5, Wtmitchell, Canadian Paul, Prashanthns, Leslie Mateus, Jared Preston, Pigman, Stormbay, Kirill Lokshin, Howcheng, Wyldkat, LaLa, Gadget850, Closedmouth, Thespian, Katieh5584, SmackBot, Jab843, Popo le Chien, Skizzik, Modest Genius, Fishhead64, Backspace, Curly
Turkey, FelisLeo, HDarke, LaMenta3, BranStark, Themightyquill, Epbr123, Res2216firestar, VoABot II, The Anomebot2, Drm310, MartinBot, CliffC, CommonsDelinker, EdBever, Gurchzilla, SriMesh, Ja 62, OhlundFan2, LeaveSleaves, Red, Caltas, Smsarmad, Momo
san, Nuttycoconut, ClueBot, Arakunem, TheOldJacobite, Protozoon, Bilsonius, Addbot, Gail, Fraggle81, FrescoBot, Reaper Eternal,
Kayoty, Fry1989, DASHBot, Immunize, Optiguy54, RA0808, Active Banana, Wikipelli, Djembayz, Fæ, Dolovis, Pooscrew90, ClueBot NG, Primergrey, Widr, Helpful Pixie Bot, Gob Lofa, PhnomPencil, IconicCC, Glacialfox, BattyBot, MadGuy7023, Cadencetory,
PigeonOfTheNight and Anonymous: 86
• Battle of Frenchman’s Butte Source: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Battle_of_Frenchman’{}s_Butte?oldid=696421446 Contributors:
Gsl, Indefatigable, Bwmodular, Gdr, Albrecht, Adrian Morrow, D6, Rich Farmbrough, Bender235, LtNOWIS, Yamla, McMuff,
Fawcett5, Embryomystic, Canadian Paul, Ian Pitchford, RetiredUser167213, Stormbay, Kirill Lokshin, Gaius Cornelius, LaLa, SmackBot,
Skeezix1000, Can't sleep, clown will eat me, Fishhead64, Backspace, HDarke, ShelfSkewed, Themightyquill, The Anomebot2, Hogie75,
CommonsDelinker, SriMesh, Jungegift, Rosiestep, SewerCat, 1974-75 Quebec Nordiques season, Addbot, LilHelpa, Diannaa, Kayoty,
DASHBot, BattyBot, Justincheng12345-bot, Howicus and Anonymous: 13
• Battle of Loon Lake Source: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Battle_of_Loon_Lake?oldid=654623067 Contributors: Albrecht, Rich Farmbrough, Hurricane111, McMuff, Fawcett5, Embryomystic, Username314, BD2412, Tim!, YurikBot, Kirill Lokshin, LaLa, Caerwine,
SmackBot, Skeezix1000, Fishhead64, HDarke, Qyd, PKT, The Anomebot2, CommonsDelinker, SriMesh, GrahamHardy, Ampwright,
ClueBot, Stepheng3, SewerCat, 1974-75 Quebec Nordiques season, Addbot, Wikationer, FrescoBot, Kayoty, Fry1989, DASHBot, PhnomPencil, BattyBot and Anonymous: 10
• Louis Riel Source: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Louis_Riel?oldid=720198749 Contributors: Vicki Rosenzweig, Stephen Gilbert, Eclecticology, Jkominek, Danny, SimonP, Maury Markowitz, Frank Warmerdam, Camembert, Hephaestos, Olivier, Reigh, Kchishol1970, Paul
Barlow, Pit~enwiki, Llywrch, Kalki, Cyde, Minesweeper, Ahoerstemeier, Snoyes, Kingturtle, Julesd, Vzbs34, Big iron, Jfitzg, Etaoin,
Zarius, Hashar, JidGom, The Tom, Adam Bishop, Vanished user 5zariu3jisj0j4irj, Trontonian, Jallan, Denni, Snickerdo, Alpdpedia, Timc,
Tpbradbury, Tlotoxl, Topbanana, Indefatigable, Rbellin, Bearcat, Tremblay, Astronautics~enwiki, Earl Andrew, RedWolf, Mathieugp,
Naddy, Sam Spade, Merovingian, Premeditated Chaos, Meelar, Auric, Sunray, Angelique, Hadal, Saforrest, Lupo, Cordell, Alexwcovington, Oberiko, Tom harrison, Doovinator, Lupin, Brian Kendig, Orangemike, Peruvianllama, Everyking, Yukichin~enwiki, Michael Devore,
Gamaliel, David Johnson, Bobblewik, Edcolins, Hob, Chowbok, Utcursch, Andycjp, Telso, CryptoDerk, Ran, Antandrus, Madmagic, Benw,
MisfitToys, Quarl, HistoryBA, Mzajac, CJCurrie, Pmanderson, Mozzerati, Gscshoyru, JHCC, Bradlegar, Neutrality, JamesTeterenko,
Neschek, D6, PZFUN, Mjuarez, RossPatterson, Rich Farmbrough, Guanabot, Themusicking, Qutezuce, John FitzGerald, YUL89YYZ,
Ericamick, Xezbeth, Alistair1978, Paul August, MDCore, ESkog, Kbh3rd, El Juno, CanisRufus, Sharkford, Kwamikagami, Worldtraveller,
Pneuhaus, Shanes, Sietse Snel, RoyBoy, Jpgordon, Guettarda, Bobo192, Dralwik, NetBot, 23skidoo, Mricon, Cmdrjameson, CWood, Lokifer, Oarih, Pearle, Voyager, Storm Rider, Googuse, Alansohn, Sherurcij, McMuff, Kurieeto, Fawcett5, Samaritan, Cdc, Mrestko, Peter
McGinley, Wtshymanski, Evil Monkey, Tomirlik, Alai, PullUpYourSocks, Djsasso, SteveHFish, Angr, Cogito Ergo Sum, Rorschach,
Woohookitty, Camw, Daniel Case, Jeff3000, MONGO, Bluemoose, Eyreland, Zzyzx11, Prashanthns, Thirty-seven, Graham87, Marskell,
Magister Mathematicae, Descendall, Cuchullain, MWaite, Ketiltrout, Rjwilmsi, Mayumashu, Coemgenus, Jake Wartenberg, Alaney2k,
MZMcBride, Tawker, Nneonneo, Boccobrock, Brighterorange, Yamamoto Ichiro, Naraht, RobertG, Ground Zero, Crazycomputers,
RexNL, Gurch, Leslie Mateus, Phoenix2~enwiki, King of Hearts, Chobot, Hatch68, Zef, RetiredUser167213, Bgwhite, Duckypedia,
Gwernol, Tone, UkPaolo, The Rambling Man, Wavelength, Sceptre, Pip2andahalf, RussBot, Pigman, Stephenb, Gaius Cornelius, CambridgeBayWeather, Wimt, NawlinWiki, SEWilcoBot, Deskana, Rjensen, NYScholar, Avt tor, Wyldkat, Misza13, Tony1, Bucketsofg,
Michael Drew, Asarelah, Mddake, Nlu, Searchme, Imaninjapirate, TheMadBaron, Nikkimaria, Closedmouth, Ketsuekigata, Fang Aili,
Ehouk1, NYArtsnWords, Rickyharder, Garion96, Kungfuadam, DVD R W, Bibliomaniac15, That Guy, From That Show!, Attilios, Joshbuddy, SmackBot, The Dark, Tarret, InverseHypercube, KnowledgeOfSelf, Royalguard11, Hydrogen Iodide, Skeezix1000, J-beda, PRA,
Blue520, Davewild, Piccadilly, Michael Dorosh, Delldot, Popo le Chien, HalfShadow, Cool3, Betacommand, Andy M. Wang, Chris the
speller, Persian Poet Gal, NeuCeu~enwiki, MalafayaBot, Ryan Paddy, Darth Panda, Rlevse, Deenoe, Theneokid, Sirenstar, Newmanbe,
Can't sleep, clown will eat me, TheKMan, Addshore, Bluemouth, Krich, Masalai, Emre D., Decltype, Bowlhover, Nakon, Rhea123456,
Coach.nyta, Hammer1980, Bob Castle, Curly Turkey, Ck lostsword, Pilotguy, Ohconfucius, Cyberevil, Birdman1, Victor D, Rory096,
BrownHairedGirl, HDarke, Kuru, Ergative rlt, AmiDaniel, Edwy, Scetoaux, BeatrixBelibaste, Chrisch, Ernestleonard, The Eye of Timaeus,
STL Dilettante, SQGibbon, Waggers, SandyGeorgia, Qyd, Jonhall, Peter Horn, Zapvet, Delta759, PSUMark2006, Dano37, Dl2000, Mirandah, Lodoss, Joseph Solis in Australia, JoeBot, Theoldanarchist, Igoldste, Rnb, Amakuru, GiantSnowman, Adam sk, Chovain, Tawkerbot2, Dlohcierekim, Jonathan W, LessHeard vanU, JForget, CmdrObot, Ale jrb, Seal Clubber, Dycedarg, KyraVixen, Dgw, Outriggr
(2006-2009), **mech**, JettaMann, 70s music, Funnyfarmofdoom, Themightyquill, Cydebot, HokieRNB, Gogo Dodo, Hebrides, JFreeman, Nachomania, Torvik, 692041002, Shirulashem, DumbBOT, Aricci526, Kozuch, NorthernThunder, JodyB, Rocket000, Thijs!bot,
Epbr123, Biruitorul, Erich Schmidt, Kablammo, Lanky, Mojo Hand, John254, Mmcknight4, Davidmack, Ludde23, Dawnseeker2000,
Storkian, Mentifisto, AntiVandalBot, Durean, Seaphoto, Opelio, Prolog, Billscottbob, Jj137, Myanw, Golgofrinchian, Deflective, MERC, BlindEagle, NE2, The creator, Xeno, Hut 8.5, TAnthony, Gekedo, Connormah, Canjth, VoABot II, AuburnPilot, JNW, Rami R, Jim
Douglas, Here2fixCategorizations, Twsx, Mouchoir le Souris, Vanished user dkjsdfkljeritekk4, Animum, Allstarecho, DerHexer, Drewdaily, Alex.seguin, S3000, MartinBot, Mickemoose, NAHID, Rettetast, Keith D, Johnpacklambert, Steviebengiefan, WelshMatt, Slugger,
J.delanoy, DrKay, Trusilver, Homie3333, People3, Maproom, Katalaveno, P4k, Hillock65, Tidywave, Rocket71048576, (jarbarf), Fauxcouture, NewEnglandYankee, SriMesh, Artyboy, STBotD, Evb-wiki, Interlaker, Treisijs, Kitcer, Useight, Vkt183, Beezhive, Martial75,
Johnnyvancouver, CardinalDan, JackParis, CWii, Pleasantville, DSRH, Sehyun94, Hersfold, Jeff G., HeckXX, Bsroiaadn, Gmischke,
Quentonamos, Philip Trueman, Rizalninoynapoleon, Nick-melo, Canuckle, NipokNek, Ann Stouter, Krazytea, G4rce, Qxz, Maccrazor,
Imasleepviking, Sintaku, DennyColt, Martin451, Sanfranman59, Vkvlad, Liam cw, SpanishCastleMagic, Thomas419ca, VoyageurRouge,
Cgy Runner, Nedrutland, Eddieqi, Madhero88, Wenli, Enigmaman, Naravorgaara, Wolfrock, Hutchluva, Enviroboy, Insanity Incarnate,
Wiidude101, Johanna451940, B12man, Hyper panda, Peter Fleet, EJF, Sophos II, TraceyKellner, Aruse, Ed103194, Tallskull, Jumpingjellybeans, Winchelsea, Jellycar, Alex Middleton, RJaguar3, Triwbe, GrooveDog, Matthew Brandon Yeager, Tiptoety, Radon210, Editore99, Momo san, Katiebeatwiki, Chinook787, Bobbbbbbby, Chinook99, Bobbbbbbbby, Faradayplank, Smilesfozwood, Lightmouse,
LaidOff, Kildor, Macy, Demonic soldier, Maelgwnbot, Bob Beal, John McDG, Mygerardromance, Ascidian, Dabomb87, Yellowphone,
Tomdobb, Dig deeper, Revirvlkodlaku, ClueBot, Avenged Eightfold, PipepBot, Foxj, All Hallow’s Wraith, Canadian Ninja, Cp111, TheOldJacobite, LizardJr8, Piledhigheranddeeper, Obtuse3389, Puchiko, Excirial, Jusdafax, Derek3333, Gtstricky, Razorflame, Al-longatini,
MuzikalNotes, Ottawa4ever, Kakofonous, EncyclopediaUpdaticus, Dhadams, Thingg, Aitias, Blacklucas2, Versus22, SoxBot III, Party,
70
•
•
•
•
Vanished User 1004, EstherLois, DumZiBoT, Mr Larrington, Skinner24, XLinkBot, Spitfire, NYencyclopedist, Jovianeye, Rror, Bradv,
WikHead, NellieBly, Mifter, Rtl1994, Mv 008, Noctibus, MystBot, KEVINWUm.o.m., Good Olfactory, Pocketemo, Thatguyflint, J Hazard, HexaChord, Ammoboy26, 12gillni, Addbot, Proofreader77, Foggyster, Willking1979, Wsvlqc, How.shud.i.feel, Hero970, CanadianLinuxUser, Guitarmang123, Derhty, Kinamonjuu, Devrit, MrOllie, Cbkoala, Richguy773, Favonian, ChenzwBot, Wikiguy1113,
Sanawon, Tide rolls, Bfigura’s puppy, Lightbot, Gail, HerculeBot, Cenadaveen, MissAlyx, Ayaz360, Legobot, Yobot, Daveen6199, 2D,
Tohd8BohaithuGh1, The Earwig, Xxskeeterxx, Lylenorton, AnomieBOT, Ipatrol, Bob farter, Tjade6, Baseballking66, ℍuman, The High
Fin Sperm Whale, Citation bot, OllieFury, Bob Burkhardt, Maxis ftw, ArthurBot, Brendawg1234, The sock that should not be, Capricorn42, 4twenty42o, TomTancy, Inferno, Lord of Penguins, Ianthenerd, Off2riorob, ProtectionTaggingBot, Shirik, Amaury, Ifarted3times,
Chris squash, Theshado, Moxy, Pussylvr2, Cristel23, Ridgeram, CSIDGR1, Ryryrules100, Deagster1, Mckenzdo, Lildude1209, Spunkygirl1234, Citation bot 1, A8UDI, Full-date unlinking bot, Sheogorath, Vrenator, Raidon Kane, Jmfriesen, Mr Serjeant Buzfuz, Kayoty,
Suffusion of Yellow, Tbhotch, MegaSloth, RjwilmsiBot, Bento00, Phlegat, Mourt4444, WildBot, Steve03Mills, JRSchmidtPhD, EmausBot, Grambowambo, Nerds4life, Typewriter99, Anthony 87, Akhil 0950, Dolovis, Empty Buffer, Ὁ οἶστρος, AvicAWB, H3llBot, RaptureBot, ClueBot NG, CactusBot, ArchieOof, Frietjes, Helpful Pixie Bot, Interchangeable, Davidiad, Drewrau, BattyBot, YFdyh-bot,
Teilletd, Tobsterz58, Dexbot, Fromthevaults, VIAFbot, Elevatorrailfan, Willskywalker16, Akesgeroth, Theflashsaunders, Jim Carter, EmperorNapoléonI, Darrend1967, Librariabryan, KasparBot, MadmanPeirce and Anonymous: 874
Gabriel Dumont (Métis leader) Source: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gabriel_Dumont_(M%C3%A9tis_leader)?oldid=720303525
Contributors: Kchishol1970, Big iron, Jfitzg, Gh, Indefatigable, Aurang, Bearcat, Varlaam, Gadfium, Albrecht, TreyHarris, JamesTeterenko,
D6, YUL89YYZ, Jwerner, Kurieeto, Fawcett5, OwenX, Kilter, Cab938, WBardwin, Mayumashu, Lockley, RexNL, Leslie Mateus, Scimitar, Pigman, CambridgeBayWeather, Manxruler, Badagnani, Arichnad, Cooker, Rjensen, Wyldkat, Rockero, Gadget850, Wknight94,
Esprit15d, SmackBot, S charette, Eskimbot, Gilliam, Chris the speller, Persian Poet Gal, Junyor, HDarke, Fremte, Hawjam, Goodnightmush, CmdrObot, Usgnus, Dgw, Themightyquill, Cydebot, Omicronpersei8, Victoriaedwards, Epbr123, Marek69, Nick Number,
VoABot II, JamesBWatson, Edward321, MartinBot, Uncle Dick, SriMesh, KylieTastic, Devk, Witchzilla, Falcon8765, WereSpielChequers,
BlueAzure, Topher385, Antonio Lopez, Faradayplank, John McDG, Sean.hoyland, ClueBot, The Thing That Should Not Be, Franamax,
TheOldJacobite, Trivialist, DragonBot, Excirial, Alexbot, Hotcrocodile, Feinoha, WikHead, J Hazard, Addbot, CanadianLinuxUser, Tide
rolls, Lightbot, Luckas-bot, Yobot, QueenCake, Xxskeeterxx, JackieBot, Ulric1313, Hi878, Moxy, Mystery ace, Citation bot 1, I dream of
horses, Oveckin 08, Bolt is fast, Skullman8990, Kayoty, DARTH SIDIOUS 2, Guerillero, RjwilmsiBot, Llorando, Tlnbks, RA0808, Dolovis, NicatronTg, Tolly4bolly, DASHBotAV, ClueBot NG, Widr, WikiPuppies, Helpful Pixie Bot, HMSSolent, MusikAnimal, BattyBot,
Vyeko, CJ0FNinja, CaSJer, VIAFbot, Jamesx12345, Epicgenius, Howicus, Ginsuloft, Monkbot, Saidevan12, Happy Attack Dog, Cm7
smcs, Renegadekid2001, KasparBot, Suckyguy, XXOOXXOOXXLOLHI, Elfknjasd, Legolas790, Xhdhgxydcgx, Barker16 and Anonymous: 100
Frederick Dobson Middleton Source: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Frederick_Dobson_Middleton?oldid=717286838 Contributors: Deb,
Big iron, Zoicon5, Indefatigable, Folks at 137, Albrecht, JamesTeterenko, Discospinster, YUL89YYZ, Bender235, CanisRufus, Senor Purple, TheParanoidOne, Andrew Gray, Fawcett5, Ardfern, Kbdank71, Mayumashu, Valentinejoesmith, Leithp, Gdrbot, RussBot, Popo le
Chien, Gilliam, Masalai, Nobunaga24, Threadnecromancer, Shotgun pete, Drinibot, Cydebot, Victoriaedwards, Aldis90, Phoe, Natalie
Erin, Demophon, Magioladitis, Waacstats, MartinBot, Robertgreer, STBotD, Squids and Chips, VolkovBot, Alexandria, Dormskirk, Kingbird1, Lightmouse, Abraham, B.S., Kumioko (renamed), Struway2, Drmies, Addbot, Freakmighty, CanadianLinuxUser, Puggy23, Lightbot, Yobot, 1exec1, BenzolBot, Moonraker, RjwilmsiBot, ZéroBot, Petrb, ClueBot NG, Widr, ProudIrishAspie, VIAFbot, Liamkasbar,
Cm7 smcs, KasparBot, JorisEnter and Anonymous: 17
Pitikwahanapiwiyin Source: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pitikwahanapiwiyin?oldid=714800723 Contributors: Rmhermen, Zannah, Big
iron, RickK, Indefatigable, Bearcat, Sunray, Kate, Smiller933, Discospinster, Rich Farmbrough, Ferrierd, Kurieeto, Fawcett5, Gene Nygaard, Who, Manxruler, NawlinWiki, Getcrunk, Prodego, Popo le Chien, Kintetsubuffalo, Yamaguchi , Kevlar67, HDarke, Edwy,
IronGargoyle, JHunterJ, Qyd, Dl2000, Seal Clubber, Dgw, NickW557, Themightyquill, Cydebot, Red Director, JamesAM, Epbr123,
WilliamH, Missvain, X96lee15, Storkian, Seaphoto, Waacstats, Stephenchou0722, Tgeairn, Uncle Dick, Anonyminous, WOSlinker, Philip
Trueman, Lal shazada, Qxz, Király-Seth, Enigmaman, Purgatory Fubar, Crazy dude17, The Devil’s Advocate, Artful Andy, BotMultichill,
Ahuhu, Thee darcy, ClueBot, Excirial, PixelBot, Aitias, Bilsonius, Rror, Addbot, Lightbot, Yobot, AnomieBOT, Raven eyes1234, Materialscientist, Xqbot, Zad68, Noel baran, J JMesserly, Abce2, MandelBot, Philcott, Diannaa, Kayoty, RjwilmsiBot, Xaphnir, Salvio giuliano,
Tommy2010, Djembayz, ZéroBot, Traxs7, ClueBot NG, Satellizer, Widr, Theopolisme, McZusatz, Klilidiplomus, Jep Tong, Lugia2453,
VIAFbot, Mikisiw, Camyoung54, Imreallyfuckingdumbok, Pound Maker Sr., Zambonidrivationor, Jamespoopzhang, JaconaFrere, Bananaramabanana, Zortwort, KasparBot and Anonymous: 102
Big Bear Source: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Big_Bear?oldid=713801135 Contributors: Kosebamse, Big iron, Dunning, Olathe, Chl,
Bearcat, Meelar, DocWatson42, Varlaam, ChicXulub, SarekOfVulcan, Antandrus, CJCurrie, Sam Hocevar, D6, Vsmith, Giraffedata,
Cyrloc, Kurieeto, Fawcett5, Luigizanasi, WadeSimMiser, Pdn~enwiki, Magister Mathematicae, Ketiltrout, Mayumashu, FlaBot, Who,
Gurch, DVdm, Bgwhite, Wavelength, SpuriousQ, Manxruler, Bachrach44, BOT-Superzerocool, Getcrunk, Josh3580, SmackBot, Herostratus, Popo le Chien, Gilliam, Skizzik, Chris the speller, Jeremyw, Hammer1980, SirIsaacBrock, TJ Spyke, Peter M Dodge, Shizane,
Themightyquill, Cydebot, Torvik, UberScienceNerd, Iiiiiiiiiiiiiii~enwiki, Bobblehead, Peter Gulutzan, X96lee15, Majorly, LittleOldMe,
Bongwarrior, VoABot II, Waacstats, Twsx, R'n'B, Corlyon, DrKay, Rhinestone K, Katharineamy, Lloydhulmes, Cometstyles, Jevansen,
Lights, Deor, Gmischke, TXiKiBoT, Helpme15, Martin451, Raymondwinn, McM.bot, EnglishDez, Enigmaman, Itachi8009, Deconstructhis, The Random Editor, Moonriddengirl, Kelwel, Happysailor, ClueBot, Jacksonsanger, The Thing That Should Not Be, Blanchardb, Excirial, Versus22, SDY, Bilsonius, DaL33T, Mifter, Thatguyflint, J Hazard, Addbot, Ronhjones, KorinoChikara, CactusWriter,
Lightbot, Gail, Luckas-bot, ZX81, Yobot, To two too, IRP, Materialscientist, The High Fin Sperm Whale, GenQuest, Srich32977,
Prunesqualer, Moxy, VS6507, Pinethicket, AQUIMISMO, DefaultsortBot, Full-date unlinking bot, Trappist the monk, JR Ostrander,
Kayoty, Nascar1996, RjwilmsiBot, Llorando, Dewritech, NotAnonymous0, Oshefeldman, Issue60, Tommy2010, Wikipelli, Dolovis,
RaLaMAMA, Zawed, ClueBot NG, Widr, Helpful Pixie Bot, PhnomPencil, MusikAnimal, Mifter Public, J991, Meatsgains, Glacialfox, Achowat, BattyBot, Khazar2, Dexbot, Mogism, Lugia2453, VIAFbot, GopherNut, Jonnzo, Schwindy, Connor kay1, Bigbennnnn,
Bigbeannnn, Lucyloo10, Iwilsonp, Logloglog12, Shann.dillon, Tgoodkey, Chelssmcgee, Evo mather, Justo Mendoza, Canadian Stingers,
KasparBot, ProprioMe OW, CAPTAIN RAJU, Egretsarvrw and Anonymous: 121
15.10.2
Images
• File:Aboriginal_War_Veterans_monument_(close).JPG Source: https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/c/cc/Aboriginal_
War_Veterans_monument_%28close%29.JPG License: CC BY-SA 3.0 Contributors: Own work Original artist: This work was created by,
and should be attributed to, Padraic Ryan. Please notify me if you use my work outside Wikimedia.
71
• File:Artillery_at_Frenchman’{}s_Butte.jpg Source: https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/f/f6/Artillery_at_Frenchman%
27s_Butte.jpg License: Public domain Contributors: From page 775 of the 1895 British book Illustrated Battles of the Nineteenth Century,
volume 1. Uploaded by the British Library to Flickr here. Cropped and rotated. Original artist: Alfred Pearse
• File:Batoche_Battle_Field_1885.jpg Source: https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/b/b3/Batoche_Battle_Field_1885.jpg
License: Public domain Contributors: Sessional papers of the Dominion of Canada.
Ottawa : King’s printer, 18681925] -- Vol.
19, no.
5 (1886 No.
6).
-- ISSN 1487-1858.
-- Plate VII. Digitized by Library and Archives
Canada (reference number nlc-4369): http://www.collectionscanada.gc.ca/obj/025002/f1/xx004369-v6.jpg Original artist: Unknown<a href='//www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q4233718' title='wikidata:Q4233718'><img alt='wikidata:Q4233718' src='https://upload.
wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/f/ff/Wikidata-logo.svg/20px-Wikidata-logo.svg.png' width='20' height='11' srcset='https://
upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/f/ff/Wikidata-logo.svg/30px-Wikidata-logo.svg.png 1.5x, https://upload.wikimedia.
org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/f/ff/Wikidata-logo.svg/40px-Wikidata-logo.svg.png 2x' data-file-width='1050' data-file-height='590'
/></a>
• File:Battle_of_Batoche_Print_by_Seargent_Grundy.jpg Source: https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/0/06/Battle_of_
Batoche_Print_by_Seargent_Grundy.jpg License: Public domain Contributors: jameshmarsh.com and Library and Archives Canada (ICON
control number: ICON168173; MIKAN number: 2999644) Original artist: Seargent Grundy
• File:Battle_of_Cut_Knife.jpg Source: https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/4/41/Battle_of_Cut_Knife.jpg License: Public domain Contributors: ? Original artist: ?
• File:Battle_of_Cut_Knife_Creek.jpg Source: https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/b/b0/Battle_of_Cut_Knife_Creek.jpg
License: Public domain Contributors: This image is available from Library and Archives Canada under the reproduction reference number
ICON98677 and under the MIKAN ID number 2837539
Original artist: Artist: Blatchly, William Daniel, 1838-1903. Artist: Rutherford, Robert William, Capt., 1857-1933. Artist: Wadmore, R.
Lyndhurst, Lieut., active ca. 1885.
• File:Battle_of_Duck_Lake.jpg Source: https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/4/45/Battle_of_Duck_Lake.jpg License:
Public domain Contributors: Credited by The History Project, University of California Davis as “Library and Archives Canada - Canadian Illustrated News, 1885”. Given that the Canadian Illustrated News ceased publication in 1883, the UC Davis cite is incorrect. The
Library and Archives Canada does contain illustrations of the battle at Duck Lake from two 1885 publications: The Canadian Pictorial &
Illustrated War News and The Illustrated War News (see Mikan nos. 2932185, 2934208, 2932696), either of which UC Davis may have
intended to refer to. Original artist: Believed to be from The Canadian Pictorial & Illustrated War News, a souvenir number published on
1885-07-04, or The Illustrated War News, published 1885-04-04.
• File:Battle_of_Fish_Creek.jpg Source: https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/f/fa/Battle_of_Fish_Creek.jpg License: Public domain Contributors: This image is available from Library and Archives Canada under the reproduction reference number C-002425
and under the MIKAN ID number 2837591
Original artist: Curzon, Fred W. (ca. 1862-1890)
• File:Battle_of_Fort_Pitt.jpg Source: https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/9/9f/Battle_of_Fort_Pitt.jpg License: Public
domain Contributors: Online at Canadian Military Heritage, Department of Defence. Original artist: The Illustrated London News
• File:Battle_template.svg Source: https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/c/c3/Battle_template.svg License: CC BY 3.0 Contributors:
• File:Warfare version2.svg Original artist: Ain92, Urutseg, Militaryace and others
• File:Big_Bear_at_Fort_Pitt,_Saskatchewan,_in_1884.jpg Source:
https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/b/b0/Big_
Bear_at_Fort_Pitt%2C_Saskatchewan%2C_in_1884.jpg License: CC BY 2.0 Contributors: Mistahi maskwa (Big Bear, lived ca.
1825-1888), (standing forth from left) a plains Cree chief trading at Fort Pitt, Northwest Territories, 1884 / Mistahi maskwa (Big Bear,
vers 1825-1888), (4e à partir de la gauche) un chef cri des Plaines, en train de f Original artist: Library and Archives/Bibliothèque et
Archives Canada from Canada
• File:Canada_Saskatchewan_relief_location_map.jpg Source:
https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/6/6d/Canada_
Saskatchewan_relief_location_map.jpg License: CC BY-SA 3.0 Contributors: File:Canada Saskatchewan location map.svg by
NordNordWest.
Original artist: Carport
• File:Canadian_Red_Ensign_1868-1921.svg Source: https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/5/57/Canadian_Red_Ensign_
1868-1921.svg License: Public domain Contributors:
• Image:Flag of the United Kingdom.svg Original artist: Greentubing~commonswiki (SVG file)
• File:Cercle_noir_50%.svg Source: https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/6/63/Cercle_noir_50%25.svg License: Public domain Contributors: ? Original artist: ?
• File:Commons-logo.svg Source: https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/4/4a/Commons-logo.svg License: CC-BY-SA-3.0 Contributors: ? Original artist: ?
• File:Diamond_sheer_black_20.png Source: https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/9/9c/Diamond_sheer_black_20.png License: Public domain Contributors: Own work Original artist: Wikid77
• File:Flag_of_Canada.svg Source: https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/c/cf/Flag_of_Canada.svg License: PD Contributors: ?
Original artist: ?
• File:Flag_of_the_United_Kingdom.svg Source: https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/a/ae/Flag_of_the_United_Kingdom.svg License: PD Contributors: ? Original artist: ?
• File:Flag_of_the_provisional_government_of_saskatchewan.jpg Source: https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/3/35/
Flag_of_the_provisional_government_of_saskatchewan.jpg License: Public domain Contributors: Originally created by Louis Riel in 1870
Original artist: Louis Riel
• File:Folder_Hexagonal_Icon.svg Source: https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/4/48/Folder_Hexagonal_Icon.svg License: Cc-bysa-3.0 Contributors: ? Original artist: ?
72
• File:Frog_Lake_National_Historic_Site.JPG Source: https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/5/50/Frog_Lake_National_
Historic_Site.JPG License: CC BY-SA 3.0 Contributors: Own work Original artist: Grapher78
• File:HostilitiesOpenAtBatoche.jpg Source: https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/b/bb/HostilitiesOpenAtBatoche.jpg License: Public domain Contributors: This image is available from Library and Archives Canada under the reproduction reference number
C-003464 and under the MIKAN ID number 3246023
Original artist: Photo by James Peters (1853-1927)
• File:Hourglass_drawing.svg Source: https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/c/c2/Hourglass_drawing.svg License: Public domain Contributors: ? Original artist: ?
• File:Jean-LouisAngeliqueRiel.jpg Source: https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/2/2d/Jean-LouisAngeliqueRiel.jpg License: Public domain Contributors: Bibliothèque et Archives Canada / PA-139072 Original artist: Steele & Wing
• File:Lady_Middleton_by_William_James_Topley.jpg Source:
https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/b/b8/Lady_
Middleton_by_William_James_Topley.jpg License: Public domain Contributors: Types of Canadian women and of women who are or
have been connected with Canada : (Volume 1) Creator: Morgan, Henry J. (Henry James), 1842-1913 Toronto 1903 Original artist:
William James Topley
• File:Locator_Dot2.gif Source: https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/e/e2/Locator_Dot2.gif License: CC-BY-SA-3.0 Contributors: ? Original artist: ?
• File:LouisRielPortrait2.jpg Source: https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/7/77/LouisRielPortrait2.jpg License: Public domain Contributors: ? Original artist: ?
• File:LouisRielTombstone.jpg Source: https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/4/49/LouisRielTombstone.jpg License: CCBY-SA-3.0 Contributors: No machine-readable source provided. Own work assumed (based on copyright claims). Original artist: No
machine-readable author provided. JamesTeterenko assumed (based on copyright claims).
• File:LouisRielTortured.jpg Source: https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/b/b3/LouisRielTortured.jpg License: CC-BYSA-3.0 Contributors: No machine-readable source provided. Own work assumed (based on copyright claims). Original artist: No machinereadable author provided. JamesTeterenko assumed (based on copyright claims).
• File:Louis_Riel.jpg Source: https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/2/21/Louis_Riel.jpg License: Public domain Contributors: Immediate image source for this post-processed version was probably [1]. See File:LouisRiel1870.jpg for the original. The University
of Manitoba states that engraver Octave-Henri Julien (1852-1908) was believed to have used the carte de visite for an engraving published
in The Canadian Illustrated News, so possibly this digital image was derived from that newspaper publication. Original artist: Photographer:
I. Bennetto & Co. (Israel Bennetto, 1860-1946[2])
• File:Louis_Riel_House.JPG Source: https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/0/07/Louis_Riel_House.JPG License: CC BYSA 4.0 Contributors: Own work Original artist: Krazytea
• File:Louis_Riel_Signature.svg Source: https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/2/28/Louis_Riel_Signature.svg License: Public domain Contributors: Own work by uploader, traced in Adobe Illustrator from http://peel.library.ualberta.ca/www/peelbib/7436/pages/
4/Pg004.png Original artist: Connormah, Louis Riel
• File:Louis_Riel_Statue.jpg Source: https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/c/c4/Louis_Riel_Statue.jpg License: CC-BYSA-3.0 Contributors: ? Original artist: ?
• File:Louis_Riel_prison.jpg Source: https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/c/ce/Louis_Riel_prison.jpg License: Public domain Contributors: This image is available from Library and Archives Canada under the reproduction reference number C-003450 and
under the MIKAN ID number 3623590
Original artist: James Peters
• File:Map_of_Battleford_1885.jpg Source: https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/3/36/Map_of_Battleford_1885.jpg License: Public domain Contributors: http://peel.library.ualberta.ca/bibliography/1508/107.html Original artist: Mulvaney, Charles Pelham
(1835-1885)
• File:Maple_Leaf_(from_roundel).svg Source:
roundel%29.svg License: CC-BY-SA-3.0 Contributors:
https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/f/fc/Maple_Leaf_%28from_
• Roundel_of_the_Royal_Canadian_Air_Force_(1946-1965).svg Original artist:
1965).svg: F l a n k e r
Roundel_of_the_Royal_Canadian_Air_Force_(1946-
• File:Metis_Blue.svg Source: https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/f/f4/Metis_Blue.svg License: Public domain Contributors: Originally from en.wikipedia. Original artist: Original uploader was Enjoyhats at en.wikipedia
• File:Metisprisoners.jpg Source: https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/e/ec/Metisprisoners.jpg License: Public domain Contributors: This image is available from Library and Archives Canada under the reproduction reference number C-006688b and under the
MIKAN ID number 3228114
Original artist: O.B. Buell
• File:Middleton-BigBear_letter.jpg Source: https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/3/31/Middleton-BigBear_letter.jpg License: Public domain Contributors: This image is available from Library and Archives Canada under the reproduction reference number
R7740-0-7-E and under the MIKAN ID number 98287
Original artist: Fred Middleton
• File:North_Battleford_Panorama_from_King_Hill.jpg Source:
https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/7/79/North_
Battleford_Panorama_from_King_Hill.jpg License: CC BY-SA 3.0 Contributors: Own work Original artist: Tungilik
• File:Pano_Fort_Battleford.jpg Source: https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/b/b9/Pano_Fort_Battleford.jpg License: CC
BY-SA 3.0 Contributors: Own work Original artist: Canadian2006
• File:People_icon.svg Source: https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/3/37/People_icon.svg License: CC0 Contributors: OpenClipart Original artist: OpenClipart
73
• File:Portal-puzzle.svg Source: https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/f/fd/Portal-puzzle.svg License: Public domain Contributors: ?
Original artist: ?
• File:Poundmaker_surrenders_to_Middleton.jpg Source:
https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/8/84/Poundmaker_
surrenders_to_Middleton.jpg License: Public domain Contributors: http://collectionscanada.gc.ca/pam_archives/index.php?fuseaction=
genitem.displayItem&lang=eng&rec_nbr=2837188&rec_nbr_list=2837188,3354526,4111990,4111991,4111805,3354528,3354527,
3192743,2895893,2898775 Original artist: Rutherford, Robert William, 1857-1933
• File:Poundmaker_with_woman.jpg Source: https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/e/e3/Poundmaker_with_woman.jpg License: Public domain Contributors: originally posted to Flickr as POUNDMAKER THE WARRIOR Original artist: dubdem sound system
• File:ProvisionalMetisGovernment.jpg Source: https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/4/42/ProvisionalMetisGovernment.
jpg License: Public domain Contributors: This image is available from Library and Archives Canada under the reproduction reference
number PA-012854 and under the MIKAN ID number 3194516
Original artist: Unknown<a href='//www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q4233718' title='wikidata:Q4233718'><img alt='wikidata:Q4233718'
src='https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/f/ff/Wikidata-logo.svg/20px-Wikidata-logo.svg.png'
width='20'
height='11' srcset='https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/f/ff/Wikidata-logo.svg/30px-Wikidata-logo.svg.png 1.5x,
https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/f/ff/Wikidata-logo.svg/40px-Wikidata-logo.svg.png 2x' data-file-width='1050'
data-file-height='590' /></a>
• File:Provisional_Government_of_Saskatchewan_flag.svg
Source:
https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/0/07/
Provisional_Government_of_Saskatchewan_flag.svg License: CC BY-SA 4.0 Contributors: Own work Original artist: Elevatorrailfan
• File:Qu_Appalle_Valley_1885_Rebellion.jpg Source:
1885_Rebellion.jpg License: Public domain Contributors:
https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/e/ef/Qu_Appalle_Valley_
This image is available from the McCord Museum under the access number MP-1993.6.2.30
Original artist: Oliver B. Buell
• File:Red_pog.svg Source: https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/0/0c/Red_pog.svg License: Public domain Contributors: ? Original artist: ?
• File:RielAtTrial.jpg Source: https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/7/7b/RielAtTrial.jpg License: Public domain Contributors: Cropped version
of Image:RielAtTrialUncropped.jpg Original artist: O.B. Buell
• File:ShootingThomasScott.jpg Source: https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/6/6c/ShootingThomasScott.jpg License: Public domain Contributors: ? Original artist: ?
• File:Skull_and_crossbones.svg Source: https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/5/53/Skull_and_crossbones.svg License: Public domain Contributors: http://vector4u.com/symbols/skull-and-crossbones-vector-svg/ Original artist: Unknown<a href='//www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q4233718' title='wikidata:
Q4233718'><img alt='wikidata:Q4233718' src='https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/f/ff/Wikidata-logo.svg/20px-Wikidata-logo.svg.
png' width='20' height='11' srcset='https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/f/ff/Wikidata-logo.svg/30px-Wikidata-logo.svg.png 1.5x, https:
//upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/f/ff/Wikidata-logo.svg/40px-Wikidata-logo.svg.png 2x' data-file-width='1050' data-file-height='590'
/></a>
• File:Wiki_letter_w_cropped.svg Source: https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/1/1c/Wiki_letter_w_cropped.svg License: CC-BY-SA-3.0
Contributors: This file was derived from Wiki letter w.svg: <a href='//commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Wiki_letter_w.svg' class='image'><img alt='Wiki
letter w.svg' src='https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/6/6c/Wiki_letter_w.svg/50px-Wiki_letter_w.svg.png' width='50' height='50'
srcset='https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/6/6c/Wiki_letter_w.svg/75px-Wiki_letter_w.svg.png 1.5x, https://upload.wikimedia.org/
wikipedia/commons/thumb/6/6c/Wiki_letter_w.svg/100px-Wiki_letter_w.svg.png 2x' data-file-width='44' data-file-height='44' /></a>
Original artist: Derivative work by Thumperward
• File:Wikiquote-logo.svg Source: https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/f/fa/Wikiquote-logo.svg License: Public domain Contributors: ? Original artist: ?
• File:Wikisource-logo.svg Source: https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/4/4c/Wikisource-logo.svg License: CC BY-SA 3.0 Contributors: Reiartur Original artist: Nicholas Moreau
• File:William_Bleasdell_Cameron_1885.jpg Source: https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/d/d5/William_Bleasdell_Cameron_1885.jpg License: Public domain Contributors: http://scaa.sk.ca/ourlegacy/permalink/28300 Original artist: William Beaswell Cameron
• File:YoungLouisRiel.gif Source: https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/d/d2/YoungLouisRiel.gif License: Public domain Contributors: Transferred from en.wikipedia to Commons.; Transfer was stated to be made by Undead warrior. Original artist: ?
15.10.3
Content license
• Creative Commons Attribution-Share Alike 3.0

The North West Rebellion

Transcription

Similar documents

Petite Ville - Parks, Culture and Sport

The radio series is comprised of six ten minute

Evelina Barnabe

The Truth About Louis Riel

COMRADERY FROM COAST-TO

HBCC UFO Research Ufologia Canadiana

Druze panel Sep 29 REGISTER

Econiche House

étis Ar st V terans - Métis Nation of Alberta

FNMI Growth Chart Order Form - The Elementary Teachers