North-West Rebellion
The Capture of Batoche, D. Campbell, early 20th century. Canadian Museum of History, 78-589, IMG2009-0063-0018-Dm
1885
As Canadian settlement pushed west, Métis and First Peoples began to fear for their lands. In 1885, Métis leader Louis Riel set up a provisional government in Batoche, Saskatchewan. Skirmishes between Riel’s supporters and federal forces grew into all-out rebellion, and troops were sent west by Ottawa on the newly built railway. The North-West Rebellion was crushed; Riel was tried for treason and hanged. Also executed were eight Nehiyaw (Plains Cree) men, in the largest public hanging in Canadian history.
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