North-West/Riel Resistance

Summary

Mimicking the strategy that led to the formation of Manitoba at the end of the Red River Resistance, Riel announced his intention to form a provisional government to a group at St. Laurent on March 8, 1885. This announcement was supplemented by a Revolutionary Bill of Rights. Riel justified the timing referencing the imminent war between England and Russia, stating that the British could not come to Canada’s aid. After a “novena” (nine days of public prayers to consult one's conscience and obtain special divine graces) the provisional government was officially formed. Riel outlined that the provisional government would remain peaceful and disband if their requests were granted; however, if they were refused they would be forced to resort to violence. The formation of the provisional government resulted in the counter interference of the NWMP.

Implications
The North-West Resistance was not one continuous battle or war, rather, a collection of numerous scrimmages between different Métis, First Nations, and early settlers in the West against colonial troops sent in by Ottawa and those who helped them. Lead by Louis Riel with support from Gabriel Dumont, the Provisional government took the church parish at Batoche and demanded that the HBC surrender Fort Carlton nearby. Numerous outbreaks of conflict at Duck Lake, Battleford, Fish Creek, Cut Knife, Frog Lake, and finally Batoche were a response to the growing frustrations with the government over a refusal to acknowledge certain land rights, a fear of settler encroachment, and dwindling food resources that had failed to been addressed. A considerable portion of First Nations refused or feared their involvement in the resistance being wary of the Government’s potential response. In numerous cases, First Nations leaders and bands were wrongfully accused of being agitators and contributing to the violence.
Sources

Toronto Mail, 13 April 1885.

Beal, Bob, and Macleod, R. C. Prairie Fire: The 1885 North-West Rebellion. Toronto:     McClelland & Stewart, 1994. 135-136, 141-143.

Archibald-Barber, Jesse Rae. Kisiskâciwan: Indigenous Voices from Where the River Flows        Swiftly Regina: University of Regina Press, 2018. 59-69.

Sub Event
Creation of Provisional Government
Resources
Kisiskâciwan: Indigenous Voices from Where the River Flows Swiftly
Date
1885-03-08
Theme(s)
Local Governance
Warfare