Louis Riel Part Three Summary

Louis Riel Part Three Summary

        Part three begins with many Métis people angry about their lands not being surveyed by the Canadian government. Henceforth, Métis people find out about how the Canadian government is using the Grid system to divide the land up, and how their system is hurting the farm lands. To resolve this issue, Gabriel Dumont visits the Dominion Land office in Prince Albert to find out when their lands are being surveyed. The representative of the office says surveying the land would be too expensive and Dumont says how can they officially own the title of their land when the lands have not been surveyed. He also asks why they must wait three years to own their land and the office representative says every person who applies for the land must wait three years and the rule applies to Métis and the English population. Gabriel Dumont is frustrated and decides to send a petition to Ottawa and he hopes for the best. Later, Father André shares his concerns with Governor-General Lord Lorne about the problems of his people and how the Manitoba Act should also give land to Métis people living outside of Manitoba. Tired from the lies of the Canadian government, Gabriel Dumont rallies the Métis population to fight for what is rightfully theirs, and to seek out the one person the Canadians fear, Louis Riel. Henceforth, several Métis men ride to Montana to convince Louis Riel to help with their struggle involving the Canadian government. Louis Riel believes it is the will of God for him to help the Métis people and he decides to travel to the Batoche. Louis meets with the tribe leaders Big Bear and Poundmaker, with both discussing how the Canadian government is supposed to feed them, while they learn how to farm. Once again, with the Canadian government lying, many of their tribe members died due to starvation. Canadian Prime Minister John A. Macdonald hears the news of Louis Riel’s arrival in the Red River Settlement and his request for more money and land. The Prime Minister ignores his request and waits for an official petition. Meanwhile, to help build the Canadian Pacific Railway, John A. Macdonald asks for loan but his request is denied from the Baring Brother’s financial institution. George Stephen president of the Canadian Pacific Railway tells John how important it is to build a railway going across Canada, and If he doesn’t he can lose his job as the prime minister. Fed up with this situation, John hatches a plan which includes denying all requests from the Métis, sending Canadian troops in the Canadian Pacific Railway, which inevitably will gain Canada’s support and the government will be happy to lend money to George Stephen to finish building the railway. Moving forward, John A. Macdonald receives a petition from Louis Riel and denies the request for new surveys and title to their land. The telegraph is send to Edgar Dewdney, Lieutenant Governor of the North-West Territories who changes John A. Macdonald’s response to prevent a full-scale rebellion from occurring. Louis Riel rejoices from hearing this news and decides to go back to Montana, but his friends convince him to stay. Later, John A. Macdonald tries to ignite a rebellion in hopes of receiving money from the government. Louis Riel is enraged when he finds out about the original telegraph and arranges a meeting at the church, for all men to attend. However, they are stopped by Father André, who says he will not provide sacrament to those who will oppose the government. Later, Louis Riel strips Father André from his duties and decides to make their own provisional government. Furthermore, Louis Riel gives a speech about himself, being a prophet and breathes the Holy spirit on his followers. The next day, full scale war erupts  between the Métis and the Mounted police. After several days of fighting, the Mounted Police desert Fort Carlton and the Canadian government dispatches several thousand troops as reinforcement. Once arrived, the Canadian troops and Métis engage in battle, where the Canadian troops win inevitably. Following their retreat, Gabriel Dumont and Louis Riel are the only ones who escape and Louis finally decides to surrender to the Canadians.

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