Summary
In the post First World War period the Metis population faced continued neglect. They were not included as a distinct people in the census, and neither the federal or provincial government wanted to take responsibility for the broken promises of the Riel or Red River Resistances as it related to Metis rights to land and livelihood (please see database entries on the scrip distribution process and speculation/government fraud).
Implications
After the First World War, Métis families were given the ability to purchase homesteads. The Land Improvement District authorities had permission to confiscate the land if ten acres were not broken within three years. As Metis families were poor and could not afford farming equipment to break the land, the lands were reclaimed by the authorities and the cycle of poverty was reinforced. Thus, the Metis drifted back to the road lines and Crown lands where they would build shacks. Their confinement to road allowances led to their being called "road allowance people" (please see database entry on "Road Allowance People").
Resources
Date
1918-00-00
Theme(s)