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The
Red River Colony: The
Hard Times Continue
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When Lord Selkirk
heard that Fort Douglas had been destroyed, he appointed a new governor,
Robert Semple. He arrived at the Red River Settlement with
more settlers. They rebuilt the fort, but the trouble was not over.
It was just beginning.
Semple wanted
the violence to end. He believed that he could use his authority
as governor to make the Nor'westers stop fighting. He decided
to read them a proclamation that prohibited the Métis from
acting violently against the Red River Settlement. He set off with
26 or 27 men (mostly settlers) to command them to obey his orders.
Semple and
his men met a group of Métis and Nor'westers fur traders
at a place called Seven Oaks. They began a shouting match that
soon turned violent. In a matter of minutes, Semple, 19 of his
men, and one Métis lay dead on the ground. The Nor'westers
then captured Fort Douglas. The settlers were forced to flee. This
became known as the Battle of Seven Oaks.
Despite all
the hardships including floods, drought, crop failure, violence and
murder, the Red River colony survived. By 1867, there were over
10 000 settlers. They had worked hard for a new way of life, but were
never without hardship. There was conflict right up until Louis
Riel led the Red River Rebellion in 1869-70.
Links
to more information…
…About
the Selkirk Settlers and the Battle of Seven Oaks:
The Métis Resource Centre: The
Battle of Seven Oaks
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Why
did the Nor'westers hate the settlers?
Bonus: How do you think Selkirk could have prevented
the problems and fighting?
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