Metis peoples emigrating from Manitoba to the South Saskatchewan River Valley wanted to assert their political authority. The St. Laurent Council’s first assembly was held on 10 December 1872, Gabriel Dumont was elected president. Between 1873 and 1875 twenty eight laws were updated to allow the St. Laurent Council to regulate and oversee various aspects of life in the North West Territories, including the hunt. As deterrents to follow these rules the council would often levy fines. In the spring of 1875 a conflict developed after HBC employee Peter Ballantine violated the rules of the St. Laurent constitution and left for the annual hunt in advance of the main party. With the assent of the general assembly, Gabriel Dumont levied a fine on the offenders. Ballantine complained to HBC officer Lawrence Clark, who asked the local NWMP to intervene. An expedition of fifty NWMP led by Colonel French was sent to pressure the Metis to give up local power. Dumont and the council did so.
PAA, Oblate Collection, St. Laurent-de-Grandin Parish Records, item 5 (St. Laurent Chronicles, 1875). PAC, RG 18Al, vol.1, no. 333, Colonel French to the Federal Minister of Justice, 17 August 1875.