CH. 5 THE PRAIRIES

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CH. 5 THE PRAIRIES
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THE METIS FLEE WESTWARD

• The Manitoba Act - 1870.
• Fr. Eng. official languages.
• Two ed. Systems
• Protestant Catholic.
• 1.4 million acres for Metis

MANITOBA 1870
1870 Man. Act -gt Most of it was based on the
Metis List of Rights

• PROBLEMS
• MacDonalds peace agents were cruel to Metis.
• Land ownership scrip.
• 160 or quarter section of land
• (1 per acre).
• - Metis did not understand (Rules - Ex.
  cultivation lotteries )
• and land speculators took
• advantage at low prices.
• Threatened Metis with prison.

Frustrated Metis moved West
Result - Many Metis left Manitoba and moved
further west.
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THE METIS IN THE NORTHWEST

• Tried to recreate Red River further west.
• Seigneural land patterns, Catholic churches,
  farming, buffalo, HBC.
• By 1870 problems arose.
• Bison declined - Laws of St. Laurent.
• Food pemmican/income became scarce.
• Magistrate Clarke appointed.
• He ran the HBC laws of the N.West.
• Conflict of interest????
• HBC always got priority over Metis.
• ie. Revoked Laws of St. Laurent

Why did US govt encourage the decimation of the
buffalo?
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THE NWMP
NWMP
By 1873, the Canadian government established the
North West Mounted Police to patrol the Northwest.

• REASONS FOR THE NWMP
• Whisky traders from the US, were coming
• north and used cheap liquor to take
• advantage of the Native peoples.
• It was feared the US would work its way north
• and assimilate Canadas Northwest.
• - Did not want Wild West of the USA.

CYPRESS HILLS MASSACRE 30 Assinboine
killed by Whiskey traders caused outrage in
Canada.
FORT WHOOP-UP
99 Alcohol (20-40 normal)
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Treaties with the Native Peoples

• Settlement of the west would not be possible
  without treaties and 1896 Indian Act (See next
  slide).
• Treaty conditions were often ignored.
• Unkept promises gtFarm equipment, supplies,
• farming techniques.
• Reserve land often small poor land.
• Govt dependency increased.
• Between 1874-1877,
• 7 treaties signed.

Mcdonalds Sea to Sea dream needed land.
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1876 Indian Act

• 1876 Indian Act
• Natives to live on reserves.
• Children to attend residential schools.
• Propaganda Video vs. Reality Video
• Missionaries sent to encourage treaties.

2008 Harper gave Federal Apology
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THE NORTHWEST REBELLION

• REASONS THE METIS WERE FRUSTRATED.
• Could not re-create the Red River Settlement.
• Troubles gaining land titles in Red River the
  Northwest.
• Canadian govt had its own agenda gt Natives not
  part of treaty process.
• Prairie land was to pay off RR and debts.
• Govt slashed Indian Dept.
• budget.
• Promised farm/land aid never
• happened.
• Blackmail gt Difficult Indians
• received no food relief.
• By 1884, many First Nations
• people starving.
• Status under Indian Act unclear

THE BLACKFOOT
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NORTH WEST REBELLION - RIEL RETURNS
In 1884, Riel returned from the US. The Metis
convinced Riel to leave his teaching job and
return to Canada to fight for his people. Riel
returned with peaceful intentions and created
the Metis Bill of Rights. By March of 1885, Riel
knew the Metis could not achieve rights
peacefully. Justice commands us to take up
arms
LOUIS RIEL
BATTLES - DUCK LAKE - FISH CREEK - BATOCHE
GABRIEL DUMONT
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ROLE OF THE FIRST NATIONS
The Cree supported the Metis and fought with
them.
CREE CHIEF POUNDMAKER
CREE CHIEF BIG BEAR
The Blackfoot opted not to fight as Chief
Crowfoot felt change was inevitable he wanted
the best deal possible for his people.
Pragmatist.
Who was being most loyal to their people?
CHIEF CROWFOOT
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RIELS ARREST
By May, Riel was arrested and Dumont had escaped
to the US. Riels lawyers recommended he plead
insanity. Riel refused as went against
everything he had been fighting for. Riel was
hanged Nov. 16, 1885. MARTYR????
Riels jury - What emotion do you see?
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THE NATIONAL DREAMCANADA - A SEA TO SEA NATION
J. A. MacDonald

• REASONS FOR A RAILWAY
• - MacDonald promised BC a transcontinental
• RR if we joined Canada.
• Create a British North American nation
• that would rival the US.
• To prevent the possibility of
• assimilation by the US.

MacDonald looked for people willing to build and
pay for such a huge expenditure. Build it and
we will make it worth your while later.
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THE NATIONAL DREAM (cont.)
THE PACIFIC SCANDAL - MacDonald Promised Sir Hugh
Allen the RR contract If he paid for his election
campaign. MacDonald got caught and lost election.

• Alexander Mackenzie (Liberal)
• -won election but faced world depression.
• - hated RR idea but allowed Fleming
• to survey.
• - alienated BC.

SIR HUGH ALLEN
MacDonald elected back with his NATIONAL POLICY.
- Tariffs - Western Settlement - The CPR
A. MACKENZIE
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MORE POLITICAL SCANDALS
Chretien Sponsorship Scandal
Ford Crack/DUI/Booze
Clarke Renovation
Clinton - Sex
DUI - Hawaii
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THE CPR SYNDICATEGeorge Stephen - Bank of
MontrealDonald Smith - HBCJames J. Hill - US
Railways
THE SYNDICATE
STEPHEN
THE DEAL - 25 million - 25 million acre land
grant - monopoly on RR. For 20 yrs. - no land
tax until sold. RR TO BE COMPLETED IN 10
YRS. NOTE - The Syndicate changed the route to
assume total control avoid land speculators.
SMITH
HILL
VAN HORNE
Construction started slow and William Van Horne
was hired to speed things up. NOTE - Van Horne
was paid 20 000 / yr. when average. wage was
400 /yr. Equivalent 1 000 000 / yr. today.
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CPR SYNDICATE CHANGES ROUTE
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BUILDING THE CPR

• Van Horne made deadlines (completed in 1885) but
  ran out.
• Canadian govt gave 22.5 million to finish.
• Van Horne cut corners - ie. temp. bridges
  ignored safety grades.
• Terrible work living conditions.
• Bugs, poor diets, filthy bedding, leaks, danger,
  no plumbing.
• Over 35 000 Navvies
• needed to finish the RR.
• 1885 Rebellion transported
• troops showed value of RR.
• gt justified more to finish.

THE LAST SPIKE NOV. 7, 1885
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A THOUGHT TO PONDER!

• The expansion of Canada came with a great deal of
  controversy.
• Treatment of the First Nation people.
• Finances
• Pacific Scandal
• Catering toEastern Business
• 1885 Rebellion
• Settling the West
• U.S. Manifest Destiny
• Land Speculators
• CPR
• Working conditions
• Van Horne
• B.C.
• Rockies - Rogers Pass