Pathfinder to support the study of Louis Riel and the 1885 Rebellion
(Websites are listed first, but other McMath Library resources are also listed)
ONLINE RESOURCES
The Northwest Resistance
Features an extensive searchable database of materials focussed on the 1885 resistance. Includes a chronology and biographies of many key participants -- Big Bear, Gabriel Dumont, Poundmaker, Louis Riel, William Dillon Otter, and Frederick Dobson Middleton. Also includes an English translation of Riel’s diary for May 2-8, 1885.
Riel, Dumont, and the 1885 Rebellion
An extensive, multi-chaptered online ‘pamphlet’ on Louis Riel, Gabriel Dumont, the Metis, and the various battles that led to and formed the 1885 rebellion. Includes primary source materials in the forms of diaries, letters, and transcripts.
Louis Riel
Provides six pages of text with some illustrations on the life of Louis Riel, as well as his importance to the Metis people.
Poundmaker, Big Bear, and the Northwest Rebellion, Part 1: Events leading up to the Rebellion
Provides background material to the First Nations involvement in the 1885 Northwest Rebellion led by Louis Riel. Provides biographies of Big Bear and Poundmaker as well as information on the treaties and native stuggles leading them to side with the Metis.
Poundmaker, Big Bear, and the Northwest Rebellion, Part 2: Details of what occured during the Northwest Rebellion
Continues the history of the First Nations involvement in the 1885 Northwest Rebellion led by Louis Riel. Includes battles at Frog Lake, Fort Pitt, Frenchman Butte, and Loon Lake, plus the trials of the native chiefs Big Bear and Poundmaker.
Louis Riel, 1844-1885
Extensive information that is nicely sorted by subtopic. Includes a biography of Louis Riel, causes of the rebellion, the battles, the trials, an examination of Riel’s mental condition and a Metis perspective.
Louis Riel - One Life, One Vision
Features extensive information on all aspects of the life of Louis Riel, including his early life, his leadership of the Metis, the rebellions, his exile, his trial, and his death. Includes circumstances around the death of Thomas Scott.
About the Northwest Rebellion of 1885
Provides information and hyperlinks about the events of the Northwest Rebellion. Includes photographs and maps.
Poundmaker
Provides a biography, complete with photographs, on the Cree chief, Poundmaker.
Great names of the French-Canadian community - Louis Riel
Provides biographical information on Louis Riel and his role in the Northwest Rebellion of 1885.
The Trial of Louis Riel
Provides a Metis perspecitive on the trial of Louis Riel and why they believe it was unjust and unfair. (Complete text of the final chapter of a book by the same name.)
The Queen’s Own Rifles of Canada - The Northwest Rebellion
Provides the army point of view of the Northwest Rebellion. Includes information on the army leaders (Otter) and the battles from their perspective.
Canadian Military Heritage
Provides links to biographies for Louis Riel, Gabriel Dumont, Big Bear, Poundmaker, Middleton, and Otter.
Metis Culture, 1875-1885
Provides information, in timeline format, of the Northwest Rebellion.
Louis Riel - Martyr, Hero or Traitor?
Provides a brief biography of Louis Riel, plus an editorial attemting to answer the questions in the title.
Riel House National Historic site
Features two videos that give a virtual tour of the historic site and includes photographs of Louis Riel and his mother.
MetisNet, A Handbook of Metis Facts
This is the “N” section of the handbook, but links to all other sections. Scroll down to North-West Rebellion, but read some of the other entries along the way.
North West Rebellion (Wikipedia)
Information is divided into ‘chapters’ for easy access. Includes a background section, descriptions of the major battles, and the aftermath.
The Riel Rebellions (Canada in the Making)
Scroll down to the 1885 rebellion. Good summary of events.
BOOKS IN McMATH LIBRARY
971 MOR Rebellions in Canada
971.05 BOW Louis Riel : selected readings
971.05 CAM Riel’s people: How the Métis lived
971.05 DUM Gabriel Dumont speaks
971.05 FLA Louis 'David' Riel : prophet of the new world
971.05 FLA Rebellion in the Northwest : Louis Riel and the Métis people
971.05 LOU Louis Riel and the Metis : Riel mini-conference papers
971.05 PAL Louis son of the prairies
971.05 SIG Riel : a life of revolution
971.05 STA The birth of Western Canada: A history of the Riel Rebellions
971.05 WOO Gabriel Dumont
VERTICAL FILE RESOURCES IN McMATH LIBRARY
VF 971.054 Metis Development and the Canadian West is a series of five booklets which examine the development of Metis culture and the role of the Metis in western Canada. Each booklet includes illustrations and maps. Book 5: Ending an Era is an examination of the resistance battles, Riel’s trial, the political situation and the immediate aftermath of the resistance.
VIDEOS IN McMATH LIBRARY
VHS 971.05 GAB Gabriel Dumont prince of the Prairies.
VHS 971 CAN Canada: A people’s history, volume 10
SEE ALSO
• General history of Canada books in 971
• your textbooks
• the Canadian Encyclopedia online (accessible from the library homepage)
• You may also wish to look at resources for the Red River Colony, Selkirk settlement, Louis Riel, and the 1870 Red River Rebellion.
• Check out biographies of some of the key people using the Dictionary of Canadian Biography Online link from the library homepage.
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This page is created and maintained by Ms. B. Knoepfel (Teacher-Librarian), McMath Secondary School. Updated March 2007.
