Efforts to Calm the Metis

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An 1876 Statement by Major Walsh

In 1876, there were about 2,000 Indian and Metis families living at Cypress Hills and perhaps another 3,000 families at Wood Mountains. These people were increasingly dissatisfied with what they called the 'Police Law’ that was being imposed upon them by the Canadian government, which was introduced into the region in the spring of 1875.  As a result, the Indians and Metis met in grand convention forty-five miles east of Fort Walsh and decided that they must appeal against the further enforcement of the law against their normally free people. 

After his failure, Major Walsh sent for his interpreter and instructed him to go and call from among the Metis five men whom Walsh felt were the most intelligent and influential of the delegation. These men arrived at midnight. One of these men, named Walsh, was Vice-President of the Prairie Government. ​

Major Walsh

Walsh said to him that so serious was the step they were about to take that he could not allow them to depart without once more appealing to their better judgment.  He then stated that if they would not follow the white man’s law, that the law would have to be enforced using force.  He pleaded with them, telling them that the Government of Canada wished to be their friends, and if they became enemies it would be the fault of the Metis. They finally agreed, saying the delegation would observe our laws and that their council would be dismissed and their government abolished. 

For three days the discussion continued, and at the end of the third day the conference broke up without Major Walsh being able to convince the delegation to see things his way, and they withdrew, announcing their determination to resist the law.  
 
After his failure, Major Walsh sent for his interpreter and instructed him to go and call from among the Metis five men whom Walsh felt were the most intelligent and influential of the delegation. These men arrived at midnight. One of these men, named Walsh, was Vice-President of the Prairie Government. Walsh said to him that so serious was the step they were about to take that he could not allow them to depart without once more appealing to their better judgment.  He then stated that if they would not follow the white man’s law, that the law would have to be enforced using force.  He pleaded with them, telling them that the Government of Canada wished to be their friends, and if they became enemies it would be the fault of the Metis. They finally agreed, saying the delegation would observe our laws and that their council would be dismissed and their government abolished.

After agreeing to Walsh’s request, the Metis held true to their words and on two rendered Walsh and the local government assistance.  During possible trouble with Sitting Bull at Wood Mountain, two hundred Metis went so far as to tell the Hunkpapa Indians that whenever a dead Red-coat was found there would be a dead Metis, meaning that they would die fighting with the Canadian soldiers.
 
Unfortunately, as the government became more demanding, the Metis soon took a negative view of the peace they had made. Walsh still held out hope that he could make peace.  In his own words, he stated “I think a commission should have been sent out long ago, but that it has been neglected so long is no reason why it should not be sent [now] at once. What great credit would it be to Canada to kill a few poor Half-breeds who feel they have been neglected? Don't forget that these people have the hearty sympathy of all the white settlers in their district…These people are not rebels, they are but demanding justice.

The History of the North-west Rebellion of 1885: Comprising a Full and Impartial Account of the Origin and Progress of the War, Scenes in the Field, the Camp, and the Cabin; Including a History of the Indian Tribes of North-western Canada. Charles Pelham Mulvany, A.H. Hovey & Company, 1886 - Canada