The Northwest Rebellion

                As the Canadian history grows older many Canadians or new immigrants stray from learning about what was the past. Which is why the Canadian history is revisited by many historians to improve. There has not been a figure in Canadian history who is surrounded by as many controversial as Louis Riel. There is a debate on whether the Northwest Uprising in 1885 was a resistance or a rebellion. Resistance is defined as “the act or an instance of resisting; refusal to comply; the attempt to prevent something by action or argument.” Whereas a rebellion is defined as “an act of violent or open resistance to an authority, government or ruler.” The Northwest uprising was in the spring of 1885 at what is now Saskatchewan and Alberta; fought by the Metis, their aboriginal allies, and Louis riel against the Canadian Government. The Northwest uprising of 1885 should be remembered in the Canadian history as a rebellion for the decisions that were made.

In 1884, the Metis in the Northwest territories felt the need to act for several reasons. To begin with; the Metis were not part of the treaty process and their status under the Indian Act was unclear for they were not considered first nations nor Europeans. The Canadian government mistreated the metis that occupied the land. Therefore, Metis sent letters and petitions to the Canadian Government asking for help, to acknowledge their rights, and promises that were made yet there was no response. The Metis resisted the surveying of land by the government that isn’t taking into consideration that the metis lived on the land. This was a peaceful way to ask for their title for land. The northwest uprising could’ve been remembered as a resistance for the metis were patient with the government even after all the discrimination, struggles, and the mistreatment.

After an absence of fifteen years, Louis Riel was approached by Gabriel Dumont to return. Louis Riel agreed to return to Canada to fight on behalf of the Metis. The Northwest uprising of 1885 should be remembered in the Canadian history as a rebellion. For instance, the attack at Duck Lake on March 26, 1885. The metis moved on to Fort Carlton to seize supplies, weapons, ammunition and not much further from attacking the fort itself. There were only few North West Mounted Force in the area and the reinforcement would only arrive a week later. Yet there was an open fire between the metis and the North West Mounted Police. There were 14 deaths including two metis negotiators and twelve North West Mounted Police. Furthermore, on April 24, 1885, Louis Riel was convinced by Gabriel Dumont to ambush the Canadian militia soldiers at Fish Creek and stopped the advance of 1600 soldiers. Moreover, on May 9, 1885, the Canadian government and the metis engaged in battle at Batoche resulting in surrender of Louis Riel as well as many deaths and injuries for the metis. In addition, the metis asked first nations to go against the government with them, to fight for rights as well as asking to use guns against the government. After the uprising the death toll included 53 Canadian soldiers and volunteers, and about 35 metis and first nations people. Louis riel and the metis as well as some first nations people used violence, weapons and an open act of resistant to the government. Therefore, the Northwest uprising of 1885 should be remembered in history as a rebellion for Louis Riel came back to Canada and fought on behalf of the metis; rebelled against the government.

To conclude, the northwest uprising should be remembered in Canadian history as a rebellion for there were battles between the metis and the Canadian government; as well as many deaths and injuries on both sides. Louis Riel came back and fought for his people and their voices were heard.