Ignore this post. Its going to be gone tommorow.
Dear Sir. John A McDonald,
This past year has been one of the most difficult that the Metis and the settlers of Red River were forced to suffer; but none were hit harder than the Metis. I am not sure whether you understand that your actions have had a negative effect on the inhabitants of Red River, so let me recap the events that have occurred through the eyes of a Metis.
Throughout 1868 and 1869, your gov’t sent surveyors to map out roads and boundaries before the land was officially transferred to the Dominion of Canada. The surveyors began to divide the lands into large areas as if measuring the land to be given out, which, I have no doubt, was your original intention. Many of us Metis were caught by surprise and were angered by the surveyors’ sudden arrival. I know for a fact that the settlers were also dumbfounded. So my people decided to take matters into their own hands and terrorized the surveyors by stealing the chains, which they were using. I admit that this was an incredibly reckless, stupid and not to mention irresponsible act. However, your act of sending these surveyors to the Red River area without warning can also be deemed reckless stupid and irresponsible.
After that curious event you were yet again reckless enough to appoint William Mcdougall as lieutenant governor of the NW territories. Both my nation and the settlers were enraged since Mcdougall was the federal minister who strongly favored the Northwest expansion. At this time, the inhabitants of Red River are extremely frightened and angered as well as confused.
Now to defend the rights of the Metis and perhaps negotiate the terms with your government, a fine man going by the name of Louis Riel and a group of Metis set up the Metis National Committee (hereby MNC) or Le comite National des Metis with John Bruce as its president. The Committee began its work by attempting to stop Sir Mcdougall’s entry into the settlement. By November 2, 1869 we intercepted Mcdougall with 14 armed Metis carrying a message from the MNC that he may not enter the settlement without permissions from the inhabitants. On that same day, the MNC seized the headquarters of the Hudson’s bay Company in Upper Fort Garry. The coming winter would prevent your forces to reach the fort for the next six months and our military had enough pemmican, as well as guns and canons, and were well provisioned for. We figured that our hold on Upper Fort Garry would allow us to negotiate with you from a position of military strength. The Metis were made out to look like terrorists in this event. However, if you would care to remember that during the seizing of Fort Garry, not a single shot was fired. Undoubtedly nothing was seriously hurt but the Canadians’ pride.
But Rupert’s land was still gripped with fear and uncertainty so Louis Riel met with a convention of 12 English and 12 French speaking Metis to discuss the possibility of forming a provisional government to keep everything in order since you and the HBC refused to take authority.
The Settlement was beginning to calm once again when that man you appointed governor stepped over a border, claimed Rupert’s land and took a step back, in a way that the Metis felt was mockery.
You may be wondering what the point of recapping all these events is, but I wanted you to see that you and the rest of Canada should not view us as terrorists but people who are only protecting their homes and family if you truly wish to make Rupert’s Land a part of Canada.
Sincerely Yours,
Frank T. Hopkins
Dear Mr. Hopkins
Thank you for the retell of the events, I certainly have a greater sense of the events leading up to the seizing of Fort Garry. I have no doubts that the Metis and the Settlers had to go through very troubling times and I can assure you that no one feels deeper regrets than I do. As to the arrival of the surveyors, as strange as this may sound, I had absolutely no idea of their coming. When I heard there was trouble in the settlement I was completely dumbfounded and had to scrounge for information.
As to the recklessness that you speak of by appointing William Mcdougall as the lieutenant governor, I assure you that we believed that it was in your best interest that a Governor is appointed to restore calm and order to the Northwest Territory. We had no knowledge that it was in fact William who was responsible for sending the surveyors.
I strongly agree with the forming of the National Metis Committee since every nation needs a leader but I am not sure if this Louis Riel was the best choice for a leader. However I have never actually met the man, I only know the side of him that is made a villain here in Canada.
Still I would have to disagree with the NMC’s decision in seizing Fort Garry. Truthfully speaking, my government will certainly listen to you in a calm orderly manner but the Metis insist on unnecessary violence. Though I am quite thankful that none was badly injured in the siege.
One final thing that you must understand. We do not want to continue seeing you and your nation as terrorist only. I believe that we should begin to work together to achieve the union that we strive for. If only the violence and the resistance would discontinue then I have no doubt that terms will not be rejected.