1885 Louis Riel Rebellion

This was a very important incident, first of all, because it was the first act of resistance to the transfer of the Settlement to Canada and secondly, because it established Louis Riel as the champion of the Métis.
             In October, 1869 William McDougall was appointed Lieutenant Governor of Rupert's Land. He set to go claim and take control of the North-West Territory for Canada. He brought along a small army of 300 armed men. The Métis received word about this and they decided not to stand for this and developed a resistance. Leaded by Riel they sent a warning to McDougall not to enter their land with out permission. They developed a barricade if they should try to enter without permission.
             Riel made it clear that he was against McDougall's arrival and invited the English to join him. He also made it clear that he wasn't against the British Crown and that he would remain faithful to it, but he objected the unlawful entry into the West by the Canadian government. He believed that they should have the right to negotiate the terms of their entry into Confederation. On October 30 McDougall received the warning from Riel, they refused to obey and the next day they proceeded to St. Norbert where they were stopped and conducted back to the American border escorted by 30 Métis. On November 2, McDougall met with the same fate. Riel and the Métis succeeded in cutting McDougall off from the group in Winnipeg which favored Canadian annexation. That same day, the Métis took possession of Fort Garry, thereby establishing their control over the surrounding area. .
             On November 23, Riel proposed the formation of a provisional government to replace the Council of Assiniboia. On December 10, Riel's Provisional Government's flag flew on the flag pole at Fort Gary. On December 27, Donald Smith, the Hudson's Bay Company's representative in Canada and a government agent, arrived in the Settlement.