Saskatchewan Rebellion
Saskatchewan Rebellion, 1885, the second and last uprising in Canada of the métis (persons of mixed French and Indian ancestry), led by Louis Riel. It is sometimes called the Northwest Rebellion.
The métis living in the Saskatchewan River valley felt their lands were threatened by the coming of the railroad and large numbers of settlers. They demanded recognition of their claims to the land by the Canadian government. When no action was taken, Louis Riel set up a provisional government in March, 1885. A Mounted Police force sent to put down the rebellion was defeated at Duck Lake. In April, some Cree Indians allied with the métis massacred most of the white settlers at Frog Lake. This incident aroused eastern Canada, and more than 4,000 militiamen were sent to Saskatchewan. In May, the militia decisively defeated the métis at Batoche. By July, the Indians had also been subdued. Riel was tried and hanged with eight others.
Although the uprising failed, the métis were given titles to their land. Also, representation in the Canadian Parliament was granted to the Northwest Territories (in which Saskatchewan was one of four districts), and a territorial legislature was established.