In
the 15 years following the creation of
Manitoba, most of the Métis people
moved into the Northwest, settling in
present-day Saskatchewan. Ottawa had
denied the mainly French-speaking Métis
land tenure and political rights, while
the Cree and Assiniboine peoples suffered
as a result of unfulfilled treaty obligations.
Under the leadership of Louis Riel, who
in 1884 returned from exile in the United
States, the Métis and some of
their Native allies took up arms.
Ottawa
responded by rushing 8000 regular and
militia troops - mainly by rail. After
several inconclusive engagements, this
force defeated Riel at Batoche on the
South Saskatchewan River in May 1885.
Over 100 people died during the crisis.
Riel was hanged for treason, an act which
severely damaged linguistic relations
in Canada. Riel’s execution, following
a trial of questionable validity, remains
highly controversial to this day.
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