12/29/2023 0 Comments Spirit of the north plotJust as in the Red River settlement in 1869–1870, Metis in the territory of what is now Saskatchewan feared losing their land as government surveyors ignored the boundaries of their familiar river lot farms, chopping them into squares. Unresolved grievances in parts of the vast region then known as the North-West Territories had simmered for years before boiling over. Meanwhile, Deputy Minister of Militia and Defence Charles-Eugene Panet probably made the understatement of the year when he reported to Parliament that the department “was very severely tried” and that the campaign to suppress the uprising became “a very arduous and trying one.” The Minneapolis Tribune, for instance, stated that the Canadian government had sent out an expedition “totally unfitted for the work it has on hand.” We hope he will be rewarded by Knighthood.”Ĭontrast that with what Ord, the self-described “bungler,” had to say about Middleton after serving under him as a member of the Dominion Land Surveyors Intelligence Corps: “Blinded with a sense of his own importance, he was above advice of any kind and from the day he left Qu’Appelle until his return to Winnipeg his course was one continued series of gross blunders, the result of conceit and stupidity.” Again the Leader commented: “The Government and the country were specially fortunate in their General who is not only a brave man and good commander but one who understands the temper of Canadians. Reports also lavished praise on the commander of the expedition, fifty-nine-year-old British-born General Frederick Middleton. Since the term “rebellion” was used most often in contemporary accounts and since this article focuses primarily on the military campaign rather than on the rights and resistance of the Metis, that term seems appropriate here.Īccounts of the time tended to regard the expedition to suppress the uprising as an efficient and even glorious little campaign. Variously known as the Second Riel Rebellion, the North-West Rebellion, the North-West Uprising, and the North-West Resistance, its names convey various interpretations and levels of intensity. The conflict remains shrouded in confusion, contradiction, and controversy.Įven the name stirs strong emotions. Aside from the interpretation of events, which is an endless task in itself, is the problem of simply trying to determine the facts. Then, as now, the North-West Rebellion of 1885 was a subject of contention within Canada. The title of Lewis Redman Ord’s 1887 book says it all: Reminiscences of a Bungle, by One of the Bunglers. At least one of the participants in the campaign had a much more jaundiced view. Yet this cheerful assessment was not shared by all the victors. So declared the Regina Leader shortly after the North-West Rebellion of 1885 came to an end. “The Government have put down a formidable rebellion without a mistake, in a manner which sheds on Canada and her young chivalry, on the Government, and especially on Caron.” Canada's History Youth Committee Members.The John Bragg Award for Atlantic Canada.Historical Thinking Community of Practice.
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