Canada and the Métis, 1869-1885

by D.N. Sprague, Thomas R. Berger (Foreword by)

Overview

“In this book, Professor D.N. Sprague tells why the Métis did not receive the land that was supposed to be theirs under the Manitoba Act.... Sprague offers many examples of the methods used, such as legislation justifying the sale of the land allotted to Métis children without any of the safeguards ordinarily required in connection with transactions with infants. Then there were powers of attorny, tax sales—any number of stratgems could be used, and were—to see that the land intended for the Métis and their families went to others. All branches of the government participated. It is a shameful tale, but one that must be told.”

— from the foreword by Thomas R. Berger

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781554587919
Publisher:	Wilfrid Laurier University Press
Publication date:	08/10/2009
Sold by:	Barnes & Noble
Format:	eBook
Pages:	216
File size:	3 MB

About the Author

D.N. Sprague has been teaching history at the University of Manitoba since 1971. In 1978 he began working with the Manitoba Métis Federation to develop the history of the administration of the land promised the Métis by the Government of Canada. His articles on the subject have appeared in Canadian Ethnic Studies, The Journal of Canadian History, and The Manitoba Law Journal. Professor Sprague's other publications are in the fields of general Canadian history and historical methods. He is co-author of The Structure of Canadian History.

Thomas R. Berger was formerly a judge on the Supreme Court of British Columbia, 1971–83. He has also served as Commissioner of the Mackenzie Valley Pipeline Inquiry, 1974–77, and the Inquiry of Indian and Inuit Health Consultation, 1979–80.

Table of Contents

Table of Contents for
Canada and the Métis, 1869–1885 by D.N. Sprague with foreword by Thomas R. Berger

List of Illustrations

Foreword

Preface

Acknowledgements

1. Historiographical Introduction

2. Acquiring Canada’s First Colony

3. Asserting Canadian Authority Over Assiniboia

4. Negotiating with Delegates from the North West

5. Eliminating the Riel Factor from Manitoba Politics

6. “Unlocking” the Territory for “Actual Settlers”

7. Amending the Manitoba Act

8. Completing the Dispersal of the Manitoba Métis

9. Reaching for the Commercial Value of the North West

10. Confronting Riel and Completing the CPR

Conclusion

Note on Sources and Method

Selected Bibliography

Index

Editorial Reviews

"... sufficiently important to establish Canada and the Métis as the new interpretive standard."

Canadian Book Review Annual

"If Canada and the Métis causes serious scholarly re-examination of other accepted assumptions about the Métis, then the history of Canada stands to benefit."

5 Native Studies Review