The Red River Rebellion

The region in the vicinity of the Red River in the Northwest Territories was the object of numerous orders-in-council following the Canadian government's acquisition of this land from the Hudson's Bay Company. That agreement in late 1869 provoked a militant response from the resident Métis peoples, who were not consulted on the transaction. Led by Louis Riel (1844-1885), the Métis prevented the new lieutenant-governor from entering the territory, and then occupied Upper Fort Garry (later Winnipeg) where they established a provisional government. The ensuing negotiations led to the establishment of Manitoba as a province of Canada. Orders-in-council from the period, which euphemistically refer to the Red River "disturbances" or "difficulties," record the efforts of the Canadian government to develop the commercial and civil infrastructure in the Red River settlements, as well as the many details involved in the military response to Riel's uprising. The question of clemency for Riel and his associates remained at issue for many years after the rebellion.