Small matter overlooked In 1870, on the eve of the Manitoba Act, Canada consisted of four provinces—Quebec, Ontario, New Brunswick, and Nova Scotia. Quebec and Ontario were much smaller than they are today, confined within the definitions imposed upon New France by the Treaty of Utrecht of 1713. They were squeezed in between the United States on the south, and, the British territories. The vast bulk of what is Canada today was held firmly under British sovereignty; with British Columbia, Prince Edward Island, and Newfoundland as self-governing colonies outside Confederation. Apart from these colonies, more or less defined then as they are today as provinces, direct British sovereignty covered Rupert’s Land, the Indian territories of the North West, and the Arctic islands. Britain was eager to unload the lot, indeed, willing to give away half a continent to the fledgling Confederation, but the colonies were not so eager to join. Newfoundland, given a choice, threw its pro—Confederation government out of office, and stayed out for 80 years. Prince Edward Island which participated in the original Confederation idea, took six years to think it over. British Columbia laid down terms, depending on the fate of Rupert’s Land, and the building of an ocean-to-ocean railway. And inside Confederation itself, Nova Scotia had been agitating to get out. Such were the circumstances when Britain offered Canada the gift of Rupert’s Land and the Indian territories of the North West. A minor and insignificant part of the transaction was the payment of 300,000 pounds sterling to the Hudson’s Bay Company for its ancient privileges in Rupert’s Land. Apart from the North West, the company rule encompassed abOut three- fifths of the present day definitions of Quebec and Ontario. Insofar as Britain was concerned, the reluctant colonies were to be permitted to determine their own course, but all the rest was to be given to Canada. With the small payment to be made to the HBO, a vast country was to be created on book- keeping. But one small matter had been overlooked—the people of the Red River. There, about 12,000 people, predominantly of mixed blood, objected to being transferred as chattels of the land agreement. They formed their own government and compelled Canada to recognize their rights and, after receiving satisfaction, joined Confederation. The tiny province of Manitoba—a mere speck of self-govern- ment in half a continent of imperial red—set a new concept of Confederation, and Canada expanded from sea to sea. It would have been a dull exercise in bookkeeping except for the people of the Red. film Norimwter. Vol. 100 No. 1 July 15, 1970 An INFO publication produced for the Manitoba Centennial Corporation, pre- pared and published at 462 Hargrave Street, Winnipeg 2, Manitoba, Canada. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED Copyright 1970 by INFO Editor—Eric Wells. Staff—Thora Cooke, Denise Dawes, Jed Stuart. Acknowledgements — James H. Gray, Les Rutherford, George Barton, Joanne Hoople, Shirlee Smith, Marjorie Morley, Clementine Combaz, John A. Bovey, Barry Hyman, Elizabeth Blight, Louisa Douglas, Duncan McLean, John Jack. This publication is dedicated to the late Alistair Stewart who said “History should be fun to read,” and suggested The Nor’Wester as a vehicle for, such an attempt in Manitoba’s Centennial Year. Notes—~Back cover, a reproduction of a poster displayed in Ontario in 1870. Picture of Riel is a reproduction of a premium print in Montreal, 1874. Front page is a reproduction of the original Nor’Wester with the map of Canada 1870. 1870 MANITOBA CENTENNIAL 1970 INDEX Map of Canada 1870 . . . Page 1 Crocus, symbol of Manitoba . Page 2 Confederation 1870 . . . Page 3 Blot on the Horizon . . . Page 4 Sea of Grass . . . . . . Page 8 Under Two Flags . . . . Page 9 Successful Failure . . . . Page 11 Tranquil Colony . . . . Page 14 Fumbled Transfer . . . . Page 17 Amnesty . . . . Page 21 Annexation . . . . . . Page 22 Provisional Government . . Page 23 Military Solution . . . . Page 27 Eclipse of a Nation . . . Page 30 Tarnished Sunset . . . . Page 35 Adventures of Kitty . . . Page 37 Riel Diary . . . . . . Page 47 Glossary . . . . . . . Page 61 Last Words . . . . . . Page 62