Metis Matters
Who are the Métis?
People of mixed First Nations and European (mainly French or Scottish) ancestry, with their own distinct culture.
Who was Louis Riel?
Métis leader, founder of Manitoba, led resistance movements against Canadian government.
What year did Manitoba join Canada?
1870
What pushed people to leave Europe in the 1870s?
Poverty, land shortages, and political unrest.
What was Canada’s National Policy?
A 3-part plan to grow the economy: build a railway, add tariffs to protect Canadian businesses, and encourage immigration to the West.
What is the symbol on the Métis flag?
An infinity symbol, representing the blending of cultures and a strong future.
Where was Riel born?
Red River Settlement (now Winnipeg, Manitoba).
What was Manitoba sometimes called at first?
The “Postage Stamp Province” due to its small size.
Name one group that immigrated to Canada then.
Ukrainians, Germans, Doukhobors, or British settlers.
Was the railway or tariffs part of the National Policy?
Both! The CPR (railway) and protective tariffs were key parts.
What language combines French and Cree, spoken by some Métis?
Michif, a language combining French nouns and Cree verbs.
What year was the Red River Resistance?
1869
What was the first capital of Manitoba?
Winnipeg
Who helped build the Canadian Pacific Railway (CPR)?
Chinese workers, Irish immigrants, and other newcomers.
What region did the NWMP police?
The North-West Territories (including what is now Alberta and Saskatchewan).
Name two Métis communities from the 1870s.
Red River Settlement and Batoche.
What government role did Riel play in Manitoba?
He led the provisional government and helped negotiate Manitoba’s entry into Confederation.
How did adding Manitoba change Canada's map?
It expanded Canada westward and created a pathway to British Columbia.
How did homesteads bring immigrants to the Prairies?
Free or cheap land (160 acres) was offered to settlers who farmed it.
How did the NWMP support settlement?
They kept peace between settlers and Indigenous peoples, enforced laws, and helped secure the land for newcomers.
French, Cree, or Scottish—what cultures helped shape Métis identity?
All of them. The Métis culture is a rich mix of French, Cree, and Scottish influences.
Why was Louis Riel executed?
He was charged with treason after leading the North-West Resistance in 1885.
Did the Manitoba Act promise to protect Métis land and language rights?
Yes — land rights and education for both French and English speakers were promised - not all promises were kept
Name two hardships immigrants faced.
Harsh weather, isolation, poor farming land, language barriers, or racism.
How did the three parts of the National Policy work together to shape Canada’s western expansion and economy?
The National Policy’s railway connected the West to the rest of Canada, making trade and movement easier. Tariffs protected new Canadian industries from foreign competition, helping factories grow. Immigration filled the Prairies with settlers who farmed the land and bought goods, fueling economic growth and strengthening Canada’s control over the West.