Local Governance

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.

In the 1930s the diverse needs of Metis individuals in various areas of the province, coupled with distinct leadership visions and significant geographic distance, resulted in two Metis organizations that represented the Northern and Southern regions of the province, with the dividing line being Saskatoon. In 1967, both groups merged into the pre-existing Métis Society of Saskatchewan, which thenceforth represented both northern and southern regions of the province.

Jim Brady and Malcolm Norris (leaders of the Metis Association of Saskatchewan who also formed the Metis Association of Alberta) established local chapters in Saskatchewan communities outside of the scope of the Metis Society of Saskatchewan in places such as Prince Albert and Meadow Lake.

Between 1882 and 1885 Metis peoples living in the Batoche region (called the Constituency of Lorne during the period) sent various petitions to the Territorial Government in Regina and the Federal Government in Ottawa. The main concern of the petitions was the recognition of land rights and the surveying of the Metis river lot system. Government response was vague and no action was taken.

In 1857, Cree leaders attended a council at Fort Qu'Appelle, demanding that traders procure bison meat from Cree hunters instead of hunting it for themselves.

One hundred and three councillors and Chiefs attended a conference of Indigenous leaders in Fort Qu'Appelle on October 30, 1958, during which Premier T.C. Douglas presented proposals on liquor and voting rights. In an effort to implement an integrationist policy, Douglas sought to pass legislation extending provincial voting rights to First Nations, removing restrictions on the sale of liquor on reserves, and the transfer of responsibility from Indian Affairs to the provincial government. The issue of provincial franchise was controversial since the term resembled "enfranchisement", the term used in the Indian Act to describe a colonial process by which an someone lost their ‘Indian Status,’ gained the vote, and were forced to leave their reserve. Since enfranchisement meant the loss of material goods and a ‘legal identity,’ many First Nations peoples were hesitant to accept the vote. Others felt that allowing liquor on reserves was not in the best interest of their populations.

Following deliberations, those present advised Douglas to wait until further consultations with band members had completed so as to avoid conflict. This conference also saw the creation of the Federation of Saskatchewan Indians (FSI), a unified organization for Indigenous peoples across the province. As the government's policies faced rejection Douglas’ government aimed to adopt a more consultative style, and created an Advisory Committee composed of one Indigenous member from each of the nine agencies in the province. The committee was set up to help plan the next conference and consult with members on reserves. A second conference took place at Fort Qu'Appelle on October 20 and 21, 1959. As with the first conference, no consensus was obtained regarding voting and liquor rights.

James Sandison organized voyageurs in an anti-working-on-Sundays mutiny at Portage La Loche.

Cree bands from Western Canada organized to meet with Little Pine and Big Bear in Montana. These Cree groups had also negotiated a tenuous alliance with the Blackfoot, who planned to attend the meeting. Typically, the government was suspicious when meetings occurred amongst Indigenous nations - in keeping with the larger pattern, this meeting inspired paranoia amongst colonial officials. Ultimately, the meeting did not take place due to an unexpected raid on the Crow, leading American officials to order the return of the Cree and Blackfoot to Canada. The accord between the Blackfoot and the Cree soon fell apart.

This council was a follow-up to the council held at Carlton earlier that summer. Beardy called Carlton signatories to Duck Lake and drew up eight promises that had not been fulfilled in treaty making.

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.