North West Resistance of 1885

This photograph, taken at the time of the North-West Resistance (The term “Resistance” rather than Rebellion is used in recognition of the fact that the Metis did have legitimate grievances). In the days following the outbreak of the Resistance in late March 1885, Riel’s emissaries were sent out with tobacco in an effort to gather Indian allegiance to his side.

Riel had a vision in which God had told him that the Indians “would weigh on our side.” This did not prove true, however; the Indians had their own political agenda of treaty adherence. Basic to that adherence was the notion that the treaties had been agreed to in the witness of the Creator and could not be violated for fear of supernatural retribution. Piapot was a key leader of the area; his military reputation had been established in the wars against the Blackfoot around the Cypress Hills area, including the last great battle at the Oldman River near present-day Lethbridge.

unknown artist, The Riel Rebellion: Scenes in the Saskatchewan Country

artiste inconnu, La rébellion de Riel: Scènes de la campagne en Saskatchewan

Riel’s emissary Rougeblanc met with representatives of Sakimay, Cowesses, Kahkewistahaw, and Ochapowace on the night of March 24, 1885. Five days later, another messenger, Keniswayweetung, tried to persuade the Indians to join the Metis. After much discussion, Chief Kahkewistahaw summed up the mood: “Agent, you remember the time I promised you I would go to my reserve I also said that I and my young men’s fighting days were over. I stick to those words no matter what may be done up north, we will remain on our reserves and tend to our work.”

On April 20, 1885, Chiefs Muscowpetung and Pasqua sent a telegraph to Prime Minister Macdonald stating, “We have good thoughts in our hearts. . . . surprised to see soldiers coming here. . . . don’t think anything disloyal of us.” A few days later, Chief Piapot sent a similar message: “It is eleven years since I gave up fighting. When I took the Government Treaty I touched the pen not to interfere with the whiteman and the whiteman not to interfere with me.”

Oliver B. Buell, York and Simcoe Battalions leave the Valley to Support Middleton at Batoche following the roops en route on Touchwood Trail To Batoche

Oliver B. Buell, Les bataillons York et Simcoe quittent la vallée pour soutenir Middleton à Batoche en suivant les troupes sur le sentier Touchwood en route vers Batoche

Fear and apprehension reigned, and many Indians left in order to avoid trouble. Others kept their weapons nearby in case they were attacked. After the resistance, the government took any sign of non-cooperation—including being absent from reserves—as indications of rebelliousness. Although the Indians of the Qu’Appelle Valley stayed out of the conflict, they became subject to punishments imposed after the rebellion, including not being allowed to leave their reserves without permission of the Indian Agent.

Oliver B. Buell, Old Bridge at Hudson Bay Store, Fort Qu’Appelle

Oliver B. Buell, Vieux pont au magasin de la Baie d’Hudson, Fort Qu’Appelle

Next: Treaty Number Four