Louis Riel and the Metis force in Canada

When describing Canada, one group that is often overlooked, is the Metis but they formed an historical foundation for the country.  When North America was initially commercially exploited it was by fur traders originating primarily from France, England and Scotland.  Inevitably the Europeans were aided by indigenous people.  European women were not encouraged to enter the wilderness so before long the European men formed relations with indigenous women and half breeds resulted, later termed Metis.  They were logical middle men between the Europeans and the various indigenous tribes.  The women were a critical part of the transactions.

Some baggage I carry.  Reading about the Metis and Louis Riel it is obvious there was a lot of strife and racism.  Doing the family tree I realized on both of my grandparents there were members of the Orange Lodge, who weren't necessarily violent, but definitely anti-Catholic.

 I was aware that my one grandmother had a nephew visit her fairly often even when we moved from Oshawa to Haliburton.  He was the son of a brother who had lived in Manitoba.  At one time my grandmother had gotten tired of her boyfriend not willing to get married so she went out to visit her two brothers.  The strategy seemed to work as she came back and got married.  My father, an only child was born when she was 44 and must have seemed a miracle.  Reading the history of Manitoba I realize the two brothers had to have moved there likely in the late 1800's or early 1900's, probably supplanting Metis and natives.  The nephew, Bruce Clark was a little older than my father and during the Depression was sent to work with my grandfather-Bruce had a son, Ted my second cousin, and I socialized a bit with him.   He was a grade or two above me at the same high school and was a social leader,-a likeable guy for sure.  I learned that the Davidsons and Clarks shared gravesites in Oshawa.

John A MacDonald, the man credited with Canadian Confederation carried a lot of baggage, similar to many living at that time.  Born in Scotland he wanted to stop America trying to take over British North America.  After Confederation he became conscious that American settlers were expanding to what was then northwestern Canada.  To stop this he sent settlers and military to the same area.  The Metis and indigenous were already there and feeling forced from their life style.  MacDonald felt the British was the model and others needed to be blended in.  He encouraged the residential schools to turn indigenous children to English children.  He needed Chinese to build the CPR, but imposed a Chinese head tax.  Without his efforts it is possible that Americans would gradually have gained control.

Louis Riel was born in 1844 in the Red River Colony, near present day Winnipeg, Manitoba.  At age 14 he had been identified as not only above average intelligence, but also faithful and was sent to Montreal to train for the priesthood..  He left after his father's death and traveled in America.  He had been rejected by the father of a woman he had formed a relationship with which affected him deeply..

By 1868 troubles were stirring in Red River and Riel's mother asked him to return.  After Confederation, surveyors moved in and the Metis found Ottawa was not recognizing their property rights.  The Government surveyers put lots in a square format whereas the Metis  used a seigneurial system that had long lots that ended by  a river.  John A. MacDonald appointed the anti-French William McDougall as Lieutenant-Governor for the North West Territory. 

Riel was a passionate and eloquent speaker.  He was recognized as a leader and chosen to represent Metis interests.  Important to note, that he was supported by the priests in the Red River area.  Riel's group representing a provisional government blocked McDougall and forced him into exile.  In 1870 he led a group of Metis supporters including some English settlers to take over Fort Garry and imprison those opposed.  Orange Lodge members were prominent and  vociferous.  Thomas Scott and Charles Boulton were two of the many that escaped and were re-captured.   Boulton was condemned to be executed, but upon an appeal was pardoned by Riel.

Thomas Scott decides to issue some very harsh criticism and although nothing he did was a capital offense he was  condemned to execution and this time Riel was not willing to pardon.  To me this seems the result of insensitivity to insults and threats and would haunt future efforts.  There was a real threat to stop the Metis movement.

Proving sometimes violence does pay off, less than two months later after direct talks between John A. MacDonald and Metis negotiators, Manitoba is made a province and admitted into Confederation.  No guarantee of amnesty for Riel or his supporters.  An army expedition to the Northwest to quell American expansionism also quells the Metis.  Riel flees and is soon officially exiled.  Riel while in exile is elected to Parliament three times, but is unable to take his seat in Parliament.   

While Riel was in the States the strife moved to what became Saskatchewan and Gabriel Dumont invited him to boost resistance.  MacDonald, back in power after a major scandal was determined to complete the railroad and the Metis appeared an obstacle.  This time the priests were against Riel.  There were a number of battles and the Metis were subdued and Riel captured.

There were many who wanted to see Riel executed, including MacDonald.  Two defenses were pointing out Riel was by now an American citizen, so couldn't be treasonous or that he was insane.  He felt he was a Canadian so would not use the citizenship excuse.  There were many legitimate instances that supported the insanity claims such as acknowledged religious hallucinations.  Although aware that if determined guilty he would be executed, he conceded he might be considered insane he also rejected this excuse.  The judge and jury were stacked and although France, United States and England urged mercy and Quebec had many supporters Riel was hung.

What is his legacy?  Today there are over 300,000 Metis enrolled across Canada plus others who self identify. Manitoba had its first Metis Premier, John Norquay back in 1874 and presently have Wab Kinew as their first Ojibway premier.  The French Metis have maintained much of their unique culture, but the English and Scottish Metis have been blended more.  They certainly were critical for how Canada has developed and the rest of us need to remember that.

I am not comfortable with how Riel and the Metis were presented to me in elementary and primary grades.  There has likely been some improvements and more Canadians better understand  how the Metis have contributed to our culture and national strength.

To close, I would quote the author Joseph Boyden (himself a Metis):  "Progress in all its forms should serve us and not it."