Sixth Grade
Worksheets
Red River Resistance
Red River Resistance
It was about fifty years after the Selkirk Settlement had been started. The thirteen Scottish families who had stayed were now well-established in the area. There was also a large population of Métis living in the area.
During this time (1860's) many new people were moving into the area. Most were English-speakers from Ontario. A few were from the United States.
Many of the new people were hostile to the Métis and their culture. The scene was set for a confrontation between the people.
After Confederation, the Canadian government began negotiations to buy Rupert's Land from the Hudson's Bay Company. An agreement was reached in 1868, with the transfer of ownership to occur in 1869.
Surveyors were sent out to divide the land before the transfer was complete. The man who would be governor, William McDougall, was in charge of them. He had no use for the Métis. The French feared that he would disregard the property arrangements that were based on the seigneurial system.
Prime Minister Macdonald was warned that sending McDougall could cause problems. McDougall was sent any way. The Métis saw this as a threat to their way of life.
Louis Riel emerged as a leader at this time. He and others began to disrupt the survey team.
