Chapter 9: The Metis Break Away
Louis Riel
One of the most controversial people on Canadian history - Louis Riel is revered by some as a national icon and champion of Metis rights, while others consider him a traitor and an outlaw.
As a Metis (a distinct culture of blended First Nation and European ancestry) Riel lived in the Red River settlement (present day Winnipeg, MB). Red River was seen as the gateway between the developing Canadian nation and the Great Plains which had not been expanded into yet, The problems began when John A. Macdonald sent land surveyors to Red Rivier to begin preparing the settlement for further expansion after they purchased the land from the HBC. |
The Red River Resistance, The North-West Rebellion and the Trial of Louis Riel
Chapter 10: Western Expansion and the National Policy
After the Riel Rebellion ended, John A. Macdonald could continue with his western expansion. Concerned that the American's would expand North unless the great plains were occupied, he implemented a plan to fill the territories as quickly as possible - at any expense.
Elder in the Making
Filmed around various locations in Southern Alberta, Elder in the Making is a six part series looking at the colonial legacy of the Indian Act and Numbered Treaties in the West. You may recognize many locations - the crazy part is the historical background and significance of many of these places. Check it out!
|
|
|
|
|
|
The Indian Act 1876
The Indian Act was rolled out by the Federal Government in 1876. Its purpose: to control the life of First Nations across the entire country. It came up with some harsh and outdated restrictions on what some FNMI individuals could and could not do.
The Numbered Treaties 1871-1921
As Canada began to expand west they signed various treaties with First Nations groups such as the Cree, Dene and Blackfoot. During this expansion, the Great Plains changed drastically - especially with the destruction of the buffalo. Many First Nations groups who were heavily impacted by disease and now starving turned to the Canadian Government and signed these Numbered Treaties to exchange land for medicine and education. It was a period of rapid change and many feel the treaties were not honored by the government with how they were intended. It is definitely a hot topic even to this day!
Question to consider: look at the map attached. Why do you think there aren't Numbered Treaties in all of BC? |
The North-West Mounted Police
Before they became the Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP), the NWMP were established by John A. Macdonald to keep peace in this new territory. As the rail expanded west, so the did the NWMP. One major issue for the new police for was the expansion of American whiskey traders into Canadian territory. After the Cypress Hills Massacre, the NWMP moved out west in force under Sam Steele and James Macleod.
The NWMP were determined to close illicit whiskey trade posts, like the notorious Fort Whoop-Up, in order to maintain order in the west. James Macleod established a Police fort in what is now the town of Fort Macleod. He negotiated with Chief Crowfoot of the Blackfoot confederacy and eventually helped usher in Treaty 7 to the region. |
The National Policy
John A. Macdonald laid out a three part plan for securing Canada as a country in his National Policy:
- Promote Canadian Industry - rather than buying American products, Macdonald wanted people to buy Canadian in order to strengthen our economy and make us less dependent.
- Finish the National Railway - by completing the rail from sea to sea, Macdonald would have rapid transport of troops in case the Americans decided to invade.
- Settle the West - Once the First Nations were reallocated to reserves, Macdonald wanted to fill the prairies with as many new Canadians as he could. With more people out there it would be harder to capture and our agricultural industry to take off.
Chinese Immigration and the Railway
Building a railway across the Great Plains in one thing. The Rocky Mountains? That is a whole new ballgame. The work was treacherous and many people died in the construction of the Canadian Pacific Railway through the mountains to connect with the line coming from the east.
One group that contributed to the construction of this dangerous project was new immigrants from China. Chinese immigrants arrived in Vancouver and were not received well. Many faced outright racism or were taken advantage of while trying to start a new life. Many went to work for the CPR to build the railway. They were paid poorly and given the most dangerous jobs. Many would save up their wages in order to pay for their families to also come to Canada. But unlike other immigrants, the Chinese were forced to pay a head tax - $50 per person from China (equivalent to about $2,500 today). This was made to deter more Chinese immigrants from entering Canada. |
|
The Last Spike - the railway was completed in Craigellachie, BC November 7, 1885.
Immigration in Western Canada
With John A. Macdonald caught in a corruption scandal involving the railway, the new Prime Minister had the task of promoting immigration to the prairies. Prime Minister Wilfred Laurier was the first francophone PM. Along with his Minister of the Interior Clifford Sifton, Laurier was determined to develop the West. Sifton created a series of advertisement campaigns in order to entice people from Europe to come to Canada.
Canada saw a massive expansion of different demographics: Czech, Russian, Ukrainian, Polish, German, and more. With the Prairies rapidly expanding in population, it became clear that the territory would need to be turned into provinces in order to be governed responsibly. Alberta and Saskatchewan were both created in 1905.
Canada saw a massive expansion of different demographics: Czech, Russian, Ukrainian, Polish, German, and more. With the Prairies rapidly expanding in population, it became clear that the territory would need to be turned into provinces in order to be governed responsibly. Alberta and Saskatchewan were both created in 1905.
Chapter 11: Citizenship in an Evolving Society
The Mosaic of Canadian Identity
Women
Following WWI, women got the right to vote in Canada in 1918. Today they make up a significant number of Members of Parliament, hold Cabinet positions, run companies and have full legal equality. Kim Campbell was Canada's first female Prime Minister (briefly) and Alberta has had two female premiers: Alison Redford and Rachel Notley.
First Nations
Think back to the beginning of the year. North America was a rich territory filled with hundreds of dynamic and different First Nations tribes and cultures. We learned about three: the Haudenosaunee, Mi'kmaq, Anishinabe. Lethbridge is lucky enough to be so close to members of the Blackfoot Confederacy as well. But that is only 4 out of hundreds. As our history developed, First Nations fought alongside Europeans, had families and were crucial to the survival of this country. They experienced many horrors as well: epidemics, racism, Residential Schools and the betrayal of their once European allies. First Nations are a keystone member of our Canadian identity.
British
Early settlements and Loyalist migrations brought many people from England, Scotland, and Wales to our shores. They quickly established themselves as a dominating force - especially after the Seven Years War and the Royal Proclamation. Many aspects of our country are Anglophone - many of our country's heroes and legends. Although many people can fault the British for their hand in our development, ultimately what helps shape our identity is our shared heritage with the former Empire and our neighbors to the south.
French Canadiens
Arguably the first Europeans to settle "Canada", our history undoubtedly is rooted in French culture. Once the Treaty of Paris was signed, the Canadiens found themselves abandoned by their mother country and marooned in a region surrounded by anglophones. Since 1763 the French in Canada have had a singular objective: survival. Their very resistance has contributed to the bilingual dynamic of what makes us Canadian.
African-Americans
Following the American Revolutionary War many ex-slaves escaped to British North America. Afterwards further slaves of the USA took the Underground Railroad to find their freedom in the North. During the War of 1812, African-Americans answered the call to arms and helped thwart the American invasion.
German Mennonites
Rejected by the Americans due to their religion and pacifism, German Mennonites migrated North to British North America to add to our mosaic identity. Many settled eventually in the Prairies and make up a significant portion of our own demographics today.
Irish
Following the Irish Potato Famine, many Irish Catholics came to North America to start over. They were faced with much animosity and rejected by much of the larger society. Their resilience has impacted much of our society today in places like Boston, Toronto and the Easter seaboard.
Metis
Metis culture has been around since the early days of exploration. They were the bridge between cultures, and yet distinct in their own right. They fought for their rights in the Riel Rebellions and helped establish relations in the west with interpreters like Jerry Potts. They culture remains today as a legacy to our history.
Chinese
Immigrating to our West coast, Chinese immigrants came to Canada to start a new life. They faced racism and challenges, but overcame both. They built our railway through dangerous conditions and persevered where others may have not.
Germans, Ukrainians, Pols, Italians and Czechs
These groups came over on mass during the completion of the railway. Many settled in the west and made up much of the communities in the Prairies. During World War I, many Canadians of these backgrounds were placed in internment camps and forced to build our national parks (like Banff).
Japanese
Similar to Chinese immigrants, Japanese on the West coast faced much racism. During Canada's involvement in World War II, Japanese-Canadians were forced from their homes, their belongings confiscated, and they were placed into interment camps or forced labor on farms. This action still stands as a blemish on Canada's history.
Indians, Pakistani, Iranians, and Syrians
People from India, Syria, Turkey, Iran, Iraq and other Middle Eastern countries came to Canada following the World Wars. Like other ethnic groups, they too have faced many obstacles in Canada, regardless of how progressive we claim to be.
And everyone else
Canada has welcomed ethnic groups from all over the world. It has changed a lot since 1867. So the question becomes: what does it mean to be Canadian? We are no longer a plurisitic country of English-French speakers. Our society isn't primarily Catholic or Anglican. We have changed dramatically in such a short time.