Lessons > Birth of Manitoba: Senior 3

Birth of Manitoba: Senior 3

Download printable PDF version

Purpose

• Students will explore the geographical impact of early settlement and the contributions of diverse cultural communities to Manitoba.
• Students will examine the individuals and important events that gave birth to Manitoba as a province.
• Students will examine Manitoba’s concerns and resistance, government reaction and entry into Confederation.
• Students will review the evolving relationships between the Metis, the Francophones, the Anglophones, and the Canadian government.

Curriculum Outcomes: Canada-A Social And Political History

• Canada has developed from a system of regional communities with differing interests and perspectives.
• Individuals have a role to play in government and have both rights and responsibilities.
• The history of the local area and region follows unique patterns, yet it is related to national and international history.
• Canada’s place in the world has changed with its evolution from colony to nation.
• Manitoba and the rest of the West changed in the first generation after Confederation.

Materials: (Activating for student interest and Acquiring information)

• From previous lessons and assignments, students should have information explaining the significant events, and interactions between the French, the English and the Aboriginal peoples within the Red River Settlement.
• Timeline of important dates and events that examine the lifestyle of the settlement.
• Biographical information on the prominent individuals such as Louis Riel, Tache, Thomas Scott, etc.
• Student maps of Canada and Manitoba
• Documents:
Newspapers
• New Nation. Newspaper published from Jan. 7, 1870 – Sept.3 1870
• Nor’Wester. Newspaper published from Dec.28 1859 – Nov.23, 1869
• Nor’Wester 1874. Newspaper published from June 29, 1874 – Dec.21, 1875
• Red River Pioneer. Newspaper published Dec. 1, 1869, one issue only

Photos and maps
• Canada flag over Schultz’s store
• John Christian Schultz
• Louis Riel and Council 1869-70
• Maps
• Metis cottage

Records
• Andrew W. Graham (Ref1, Ref2, Ref3, Ref4, Ref5, Ref6, Ref7, Ref8, Ref9, Ref10, Ref11, Ref12, Ref13, Ref14, Ref15, Ref16)
• Declaration of the people of Rupert's Land and the North West
• Governor Mactavish to the inhabitants of Red River Settlement
• List of rights 1869
• Letter dated January 9, 1870 from George Duncan MacVicar to Alex Polson
• Letter of 5 February 1870 from George Duncan MacVicar to Josie
• Public notice to the inhabitants of Rupertsland
• Resolutions passed at a public meeting of the parish of St. Clements 22 February 1870
• Telegram of 16 April 1870 to Lt-Col Barnett

Vocabulary : to promote use of language in oral discussion, reading, and written work

territory red negotiate Fort Garry Metis Manitoba Act languages Aboriginal traders expedition influx delegates treason

terms river Rupert’s Land Hudson’s Bay assiniboine French equal rights amnesty voyageurs ancestry transfer rebels compensation

resistance commenced Louis Riel opposed government English legislation fur trade bison consultation foreign dispersed allotted

Suggestions for Instruction:  (Applying)

Have students review and compare the geographical changes that resulted from the settlement of diverse cultural communities. Discuss the impact on the cultural communities as Louis Riel proclaimed a provisional government. Have students further explore the following:

• The challenge and promotion of central authority.
• The rights of minority groups, French-English relations, Aboriginal rights past and present.
• The purchase of Rupert’s Land, the implications for Canada at the time of purchase, and the significance of this event today.
• Manitoba’s impact on the rest of Canada.
• Actions that could have possibly been taken to avoid the resistance – how, by who and when.

Suggestions for Assessment

Students will demonstrate their understanding through various activities such as

• mapping skills
• oral discussion and written assignments
• historical debate
• re-enactment of specific characters
• student presentations on specific topic or issue, etc.

Extension Activities

• field trip to one or more of the following museums (St. Boniface Museum, Manitoba Museum, Seven Oaks Museum).
• visit to Louis Riel’s House
• inviting government representative to the classroom to discuss rights in Canada
• participation with activism – from classroom to society
• gathering further information on Manitoba through other resources, etc