Today I am talking about the Manitoba Act of May
12, 1870.
The Manitoba Act was created the newly formed Dominion
of Canada bought Rupert’s Land from the HBC(Hudson Bay Company) without
consultation to the Métis residents already
living there, this resulted in the residents forcing federal land surveyors by
gun point off their land.
Louis
Riel and John Bruce among others formed the National Committee of the Métis which acted as the governing body of the region. Negotiations took
place where the region agreed to join Canada under these conditions:
-Manitoba would be a province not a territory.
-Church-run schools
-Manitoba legislature and courts would need to
be bilingual.
-Métis children would
have land in Rupert’s Land.
-As of 1870 all residents owning/occupying
would keep their right to the land.
One
man whose true identity has remained controversial is Louis Riel. Some refer
him as a hero and some call him a traitor. Even our own conversations in class
ask the question was he a hero or a traitor, well it all depends on your
background if your Métis you call him a hero to his people while the
federal government called him a war criminal.
The actions that lead to this title was the
ordered execution of Thomas Scott in his first armed rebellion the Red River
Rebellion of 1869-1870 leading to his departure to the U.S to escape
prosecution. He was elected to the House of Commons but he declined. His next
rebellion lead to his arrest and charged with high-treason. Is he a hero? Or a religious
fanatic it is still a subject of debate to this day.
Quotes from Louis Riel found on:
Louis Riel(1844-1885) Founder of Mantioba
I am glad the Crown have proved
that I am the leader of the half-breeds in the Northwest. I will perhaps be one
day acknowledged as more than a leader of the half-breeds, and if I am, I will
have an opportunity of being acknowledged as a leader of good in this great
country.
Louis Riel (March 1885)
During these different phases of strain, the Metis nation has
never, for anything in the world, abandoned its leaders, who were no doubt
devoted, but were subjected by a treacherous government, to all sorts of
humiliation and misery. God will reward it for its loyalty and constancy. In
spite of failures, the Metis cause grows incessantly...
In 1869-70 they wanted to steal
our land... Since the transfer, up till the arrests of 73, they have betrayed
us...
Online at: Louis Riel image
Wikipedia last edited December 27 2017 at 22:07
