Resistance: 1869 & 1885

Image of exterior of the guardhouse at the North West Mounted Police post in Regina, where Louis Riel was held.

Note: The title and description of this document uses wording that was common to mainstream society of that time period in history. As such, it contains language that is no longer in common use and may offend some readers. This wording should not be construed to represent the views of the Indigenous Studies Portal or the University of Saskatchewan Library. Two Metis men at Batoche. On the back of the photo is written: "Halfbreeds at Batoche. Gabriel Dumont's brother on the right and One of the leaders in the Rebellion of 1885." Probably taken in the late nineteenth century.

Sources include Record Group 10 records relating to Indian Affairs (1872-1950), Sir John A. Macdonald Papers, Alexander Mackenzie Papers, David Laird Papers, Alexander Morris Papers, Edgar Dewdney Papers, and L. Vankoughnet Letterbooks.

Interviewee discusses the role of his family in the Riel Rebellion; and gives a general account of his life.

Photograph. Caption: "Local HBC manager William McKay left the safety of the fort to meet with the Cree. When he told a group of Indians to leave his store, they did so--without a word of protest". From the book Loyal till Death: Indians and the North-West Rebellion by Blair Stonechild and Bill Waiser.

Image of Captain John French, killed at Batoche. On back of photo: "An old French halfbreed, named Ross, was standing at the corner of a house nearly opposite Batoche's house, and fired the fatal shot, then made a run for cover, but paid the penalty for shooting French just before reading it."

Head and shoulders portrait of Chief Poundmaker, a Plains Cree Chief in what was then called the North-West Territories of Canada, 1885.

Poster of sketches of key figures and a partial map relating to the Northwest Resistance.

Henry Dufresne (left) and Charles Trottier (right) who lived in Loon Lake in 1947. During the Rebellion Dufresne was an employee of the Hudson's Bay Company and surrendered to the Indians with 27 others at Fort Pitt. Trottier was a lieutenant of Gabriel Dumont at Duck Lake.

Historical note:

This photograph is part of a collection of images used by Reg Taylor of the Saskatoon Star Phoenix in an article he wrote which featured William Bleasdell Cameron, a survivor of the so-called Frog Lake Massacre, 2 April 1885. The article appeared in the Star Phoenix October 23, 1947.

Looks at how Métis General Gabriel Dumont is portrayed in modern interpretations of the 1885 North-West Rebellion.

A historic cairn commemorating the Battle of Cut Knife Hill (probably the same as detail shot in S-B6015: see S-B6015 for text of marker) flanked by two tipis, the red ensign flag, and an unveiling platform.

A historic marker at Batoche commemorating the surrender of Louis Riel to General Middleton on May 15, 1885.

Includes text of numerous primary documents.

Book review of: Hold High Your Heads: History of the Métis Nation in Western Canada by A. H. de Trémaudan, translated by Elizabeth Maguet.

Brief profile of several forts across North America, including Fort Battleford which played a role during the North-West Resistance of 1885.

Portrait of Honore Jaxon, holding a cane in his left hand and a hat in his right.

Historical note:

Honore Jaxon, aka William Henry Jackson. Jaxon was Riel's secretary leading up to the Northwest Resistance and his only white Protestant follower. Prior to this he had been secretary of the Prince Albert Settler's Union. After the resistance he escaped to the United States where he was active in the Labour Movement and the Bahai faith.

Detailed article on the life of Honoré Joseph Jaxon, known as Louis Riel's secretary immediately before the Northwest Rebellion. The article also details the unfortunate trashing of Jaxon's papers upon his death in New York City in 1952.

Image of a house used as a barracks by the Metis during the Northwest Resistance. On back of photo: "House built in 1879 and Â’80 by Xavier Batoche. Used as store and dwelling. In 1885 used as barracks by the Metis."

Original description reads: "A house at Battleford remaining from the Riel Rebellion days."

Image of the S.S. Marquis. On front of photograph: "Hudson Bay Co. S.S. “Marquis” / Prince Albert Sask / This boat was used as troop and supply boat in the North West Rebellion and was instrumental in breaking the blockade of the north branch of the Saskatchewan River."

Image of Chief Jacob Johnstone (Kah-kee-ka-pow), Cree, of the Mistawasis reserve, located approximately 20 miles west of Shellbrook, Saskatchewan. Chief Jacob is standing out of doors near a log fence, and is wearing treaty medals. Johnstone was the chief of the Mistawasis reserve from 1904 to 1915. He received a fractured jaw in a Cree-Blackfoot battle at Buffalo Lake that permanently disfigured his face. Inscription on back of original postcard reads, Chief Jacob- who had his lower jaw fractured by a bullet when he refused to join Riels' rising in the west.

Black and white photograph of the unveiling of the monument erected in memory of the battle at Batoche.

Black and white photograph of the unveiling of the monument erected in memory of the battle at Batoche. Church in background.

Black and white photograph of the unveiling of the monument erected in memory of the battle at Batoche. Church in background.

Head and shoulders image of Imasees, son of Big Bear. Caption: "Big Bear's son, Imasees, contradicted his father at every opportunity and eventually assumed leadership of the band." From the book Loyal till Death: Indians and the North-West Rebellion by Blair Stonechild and Bill Waiser.

Examines the relationship between Chief Big Bear and Henry Ross Halpin, a Hudson's Bay Company clerk during the 1885 Riel Resistance, and how Halpin came to Big Bear's defense after he was charged with treason.

Describes the people and events surrounding the Frog Lake Massacre (1885); includes extensive information regarding the genealogy of several Métis families and their connections through the North West Company and the Hudson’s Bay Company. Entire issue on one pdf file, scroll to page 63.

A collection of stories about the North-West Rebellion of 1885 written by grade 8 students of St. Vital School, Battleford, Saskatchewan in 1923. The stories pertain to the Mann family's escape to Fort Pitt, the capture of Thomas Dewan by Stony Indians, the effect of the rebellion on settlers, the escape of two dispatch riders Philip Atkinson of Battleford and William Diehl of Prince Albert, and John Pritchard's rescue of Mrs. Delaney and Mrs. Gowanlock from the Cree.

Local history includes some documentation about people from Carry the Kettle First Nation as well as Métis in this vicinity.

Presentation by the Chair of the Truth and Reconciliation Commission of Canada on the history of residential schools, treaty promises, abuse in the schools and more. Duration: 44:59.

This folder contains a large number of articles, mainly by Mrs. Wetton, describing Native people, their way of life, and problems they were experiencing in the post-contact period. Only a portion of the articles and two brochures were scanned, however there are many articles that contain multiple photographs and interpretations of how Aboriginal people lived on reserves in the 1940s, 50s and 60s.

A photograph of a group of Aboriginal men in ceremonial clothing celebrating 50 years of peace since 1885. Three of them are Battle River Indians who fought against the Queen's forces at Cutknife Hill in 1885. They are, top right, Fine Day; lower centre, Meesegon; and lower right, Kasokio the strong man. Back row, left to right, Tom Tootoosis (Poundmaker), Iron Child (Little Pine), Frank Knife (Sweet Grass), Peter Horsfall (Pasqua), Antoine Lonesinger (Sweet Grass), Edwin Wuttunee (Red Pheasant), Mokanis (Saulteaux, Jackfish), and Fine Day.

File containing correspondence relating to land claims (esp. by the Six Nation Council), the Haldimand Treaty, Indian Claims Commission, the Union of Ontario Indians, the Supreme Court.

Federal government review of Aboriginal life in the prairie provinces, covering areas such as pre-contact, explorers and traders, introduction of the horse, colonization, treaties, missionaries, the Northwest Resistance and education.

Sketch of an mob in Montreal's Victoria Square burning an effigy of Sir John A. Macdonald after the execution of Louis Riel in Regina, Saskatchewan.

A typed copy of Inspector Francis Dickens's North West Mounted Police journal from Fort Pitt in 1885. Recounts the events of the Resistance, the skirmish and subsequent abandonment of Fort Pitt by Dickens who was in command of the installation when hostilities broke out.

Historical note:

Article provides a description and interpretation of the cooperation between the NWMP and the Metis auxiliaries.

Mr. Ledoux, aged 99 at the time of the interview is of mixed French and Indian ancestry but is registered as a treaty Indian. He was present during the Riel Rebellion of 1885 and gives an account of what he saw in the Rebellion; views of the rebellion and the people involved.

J.F. Clark at ruins of a store used to house supplies during the Northwest Resistance. Date and location unknown.