The Metis are an indigenous group whose homeland is in Canada and the northern United States. They trace their heritage to North American tribes and mixed European settlers who were primarily French. The Canadian Constitution Act of 1982 legally recognized the Metis as indigenous people. In the United States, the Metis are considered part of the Chippewa tribe. The Metis developed a distinct culture and language that blended their French and Indian heritage that grew out of the fur trade.
The War of 1812 formalized the border between the United States and Canada. There were ongoing disputes between the Metis and the governments of both countries as the Metis struggled to maintain their way of life. The formalized border decreased the ease of movement for the Metis as they traveled between their settlements in the United States and Canada. St. Joseph, now called Walhalla, was known as the Metis capitol of North Dakota.
Louis Riel arose as an important Metis leader. He was elected president of the Metis National Committee. On this date in 1869, he gave a fiery speech to the Committee. He urged the Metis to resist Canada’s intrusion on their traditional lands. Inspired by his words, the Metis seized Upper Fort Garry and established a provisional government. When armed Canadians arrived to disband the Metis government, the Metis captured and imprisoned them. One Canadian was tried, sentenced to death, and executed by firing squad. Canadians blamed Riel and sought retribution. A reward of $5,000 was offered for his arrest. Riel fled to Dakota Territory and went into exile in Pembina.
When it became known that Riel planned to return to Canada, the Canadian government was anxious to avoid a confrontation and urged him to remain in the United States. Government officials offered him money to stay in Pembina, but in 1871 he returned to Canada, entered politics, and was elected to the House of Commons, but Parliament expelled him. He eventually moved back to Dakota Territory where he married and became an American citizen.
In 1884, Riel returned to Canada once more and helped organize the Metis in Saskatchewan establish a provisional government. Canada quickly sent a military force that easily defeated the Metis resistance. Riel was arrested, tried, and found guilty of treason. He was executed on November 16, 1885.
Dakota Datebook by Carole Butcher
Sources:
- State Historical Society of North Dakota. “ND Studies: Turtle Mountain Reservation.” https://www.ndstudies.gov/gr4/american-indians-north-dakota/part-4-reservations-north-dakota/section-5-turtle-mountain-reservation#:~:text=In%20Canada%2C%20the%20Me%CC%81tis%20are%20considered%20a%20separate,of%20both%20the%20Indian%20and%20the%20French%20cultures. Accessed 6/2/2024.
- Turtle Mountain Chippewa Heritage Center. “Three Metis Communities in North Dakota.” http://www.chippewaheritage.com/heritage-blog/three-metis-communities-in-north-dakota Accessed 6/2/2024.
- Dibaajimowin. “St. Joseph: The Metis Capital of North Dakota.” https://www.dibaajimowin.com/post/st-joseph-the-metis-capitol-of-north-dakota Accessed 6/2/2024.
- Gabriel Dumont Institute of Native Studies and Applied Research. “Timeline of Metis History.” chrome-extension://efaidnbmnnnibpcajpcglclefindmkaj/https://www.metismuseum.ca/media/document.php/149674.Timeline%20of%20M%C3%A9tis%20History.pdf#:~:text=The%20M%C3%A9tis%20are%20a%20distinct%20Indigenous%20nation%20with,Northwest%20Territories%2C%20and%20northern%20Montana%20and%20North%20Dakota. Accessed 6/2/2024.
- Lawrence Barkwell. “Louis Riel’s Exile.” chrome-extension://efaidnbmnnnibpcajpcglclefindmkaj/https://www.metismuseum.ca/media/document.php/149571.Louis%20Riel%20in%20Exile.pdf Accessed 6/2/2024.
