Summary
In the aftermath of the North West/Riel Resistance the Rebellion Losses Commission was established to provide compensation to those who had suffered losses as a result of the armed conflict. The general opinion of the commission’s members was that “having contributed to their own losses, the Métis were not eligible for any compensation.” Many Metis were angered that those who implicated Metis individuals in the resistance were provided with compensation for their losses - this demonstrates the government's efforts to consolidate power by implementing various means of rewarding or punishing its allies and enemies.
Implications
Generally, the Metis population whose lands, horses, food and property had been destroyed or stolen by the North West Field Force during the North West Resistance received no compensation. Many Metis suffered economically and were pushed into poverty due to the aftermath and the failure to compensate losses. Please see entry below in "relevant resources" for details as to how Metis women who made claims through the Rebellion Losses Commission were denied compensation. Please also see an entry on the Metis road allowance in this database for further information on the impacts of poverty and land dispossession for Metis people.
Sources
AM, MG3, C14, Capt. George H. Young, Notes Regarding Royal Commission on Rebellion Losses, 1886.
Sub Event
Provisioning of Relief
Resources
Date
1886-02-00