Forks of Destiny: The Red River Resistance and the Creation of Modern Canada
David Grebstad
Striving to serve others. Strategic and transformational leader. Army Officer. Author. Red River Metis.
On Sunday 29 September, I had the tremendous honor to deliver a lecture on the History Symposium YouTube channel, entitled "Forks of Destiny: The Red River Resistance and the Creation of Modern Canada." My goal was to convey the immense historical significance of the Red River Resistance, an event that profoundly shaped the course of Canadian history but which lamentably remains largely underappreciated.
The presentation began by setting the stage with the strategic situation in North America during the mid-19th century. Canada was in the early stages of its expansionist ambitions, eyeing the territories west of its borders. This period was marked by the end of the American Civil War in 1865 and the onset of the Fenian Raids in 1866, both of which influenced Canada’s strategic priorities. The signing of the British North America Act in 1867 further solidified Canada's intention to become a transcontinental dominion.
To understand the roots of the resistance, it's essential to explore the land and the people. Rupert's Land, granted to the Hudson's Bay Company (HBC) in 1670, became home to the Red River Settlement. It was here that the Métis people—a distinct nation with a unique identity, culture, and connection to the land—emerged. The Red River Métis evolved to become a nation and a people with a shared history, language, and territory in the western plains, centered around the Red River Valley.
Canada’s intentions toward the west were clear and ambitious. As outlined in the 1864 Quebec Resolutions and the British North America Act of 1867, Canada sought to expand its borders, bringing Rupert's Land and the North-Western Territory under its control. The Rupert's Land Act of 1868 set the stage for transferring this vast territory from the HBC to Canada, with little regard for the region’s inhabitants. This neglect sparked a powerful sense of injustice among the Métis, famously expressed by Louis Riel: "We were sold like a herd of cattle."
The Canadian government's encroachment became more tangible in 1868 when surveyors arrived in the Red River Settlement. They began to divide the land into square plots, disregarding the Métis' traditional river-lot system. The Métis, led by Riel, resisted this intrusion. On October 11, 1869, they took a stand by literally "standing on the chains" of the Dominion surveyors, marking the beginning of the Red River Resistance.
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The situation quickly escalated as the Métis formed the National Committee and took decisive actions to assert their rights. In November 1869, they seized Fort Garry, the central hub of power in the North-West, and eventually formed a Provisional Government representing Assiniboia. This government, under Riel's leadership, demanded negotiations on a nation-to-nation basis with the Canadian government, a bold assertion of the Métis' sovereignty.
A key outcome of this resistance was the Manitoba Act of 1870. After intense negotiations, the act recognized many of the demands outlined by the Métis, including the creation of the province of Manitoba. The act was a monumental step that brought the Red River Settlement into Confederation as a province, not just a territory, marking a significant shift in how Canada treated its western lands.
However, this victory was short-lived. The arrival of the Red River Expeditionary Force, often known as the Wolseley Expedition, in August 1870 marked the beginning of the Reign of Terror. This force, comprised of British regulars and Canadian militia, and many of the latter, who would remain as a garrison in the area for seven years, harbored hostility towards the Métis. Their presence led to widespread intimidation, violence, and eventually, the displacement of many Métis from their homeland.
The legacy of the Red River Resistance is profound. It solidified Canada as a transcontinental dominion, paving the way for British Columbia's entry into Confederation in 1871. It also established Manitoba as a province rather than a territory, setting a precedent for how Canada would negotiate its western expansion. Despite its significance, the story of the Red River Resistance and its pivotal role in shaping modern Canada often remains obscured in the broader narrative of Canadian history.
In my lecture, I emphasized that understanding the Red River Resistance is crucial for recognizing the complexities of Canadian nationhood. It underscores themes of Indigenous rights, cultural resilience, and the ongoing challenges of reconciliation. By shedding light on this historical event, we not only honor the legacy of the Métis but also gain insight into the foundational struggles that continue to shape Canada today.
I encourage everyone to check out the lecture at the link below, and support the work of the team at History Symposium.