Northwest Rebellion

Northwest Rebellion. , Prairie Tension Erupts , In the early 1880's, some people felt militant action was needed to force the Canadian government to settle all unresolved land claims in the North West Territories (Alberta and Saskatchewan). In March 1885, French-Catholic Louis Riel formed a Métis provisional government and a small military force to suppress existing government troops. He counted on the unfinished Canadian Pacific Railway line to delay eastern military reinforcements from arriving for months. , Epic Journey West , As part of the rapid military response to Riel's actions, four companies of the 35th Simcoe Foresters militia left the Barrie Train Station on April 2nd 1885. In an epic journey, the York-Simcoe Provisional Battalion marched day and night, through three separate railroad gaps along northern Lake Superior. They survived winter conditions, heavy rainstorms, and plummeting temperatures where their clothes froze to their skins, to safely arrive in Winnipeg. , First Battle Honour , The battalion guarded supply lines at Swift Current and Qu'Appelle and provided support following the Battle of Batoche, where Riel's forces were defeated in May 1885. As a result of this expedition, the Simcoe Foresters won their first battle honour “Northwest Canada 1885.” Barrie celebrated their safe return home on July 18th, with a parade down Dunlop Street. , Canadian Turning Points , Hanged for his actions, Riel became a heroic martyr to Francophone Canada. Control of the Prairie Provinces changed from French to English speakers. The unresolved land grants requested by the Saskatchewan Métis were provided by the government by the end of 1887. , Parliament authorized much needed funds to complete the country’s first transcontinental railway.