1885 and After: Native Society in Transition

Edwin G. Higgins was a freelance writer in Sudbury, Ontario.

This ambitious contribution to Canadian history is the result of a conference held at the University of Saskatchewan in 1985. Eighteen papers marking the Centennial of the Northwest Rebellion were presented. The first section deals with the events leading up to the outbreak — the Riel rebellion, colonization companies, Indian agents, and the Reserve Agricultural Program.

In addition to its focus on the Northwest Rebellion and the well-known Iroquois Wars against the French, the book also draws attention to a less known but important phase of Canadian history. This is the Micmac War (1613-73) which was fought on land and sea against the British. When both wars are examined in detail, it becomes clear that the nature of the conflicts had been the same. Micmacs, Metis, Crees, and Amerindians were struggling for lands, which they had taken for granted before the arrival of the Europeans. When all these groups were defeated individually their cultural cohesiveness disintegrated. In the case of the Micmacs, this decline was hastened by the French abandonment of their allies at the Treaty of Utrecht. In the Northwest, both Indians and Metis were victims of the attitudes and policies of the government of Confederation. The great Indian leaders Poundmaker, Little Pine, and Big Bear receive their belated due in this part of the study.

The second phase deals with the transition of native society following 1885. Continuing to follow the bison-hunting way of life, some of the Metis migrated from the Red River North and West to southern Saskatchewan. Others migrated to Alberta, outside of Edmonton, to a mission area known as St. Laurent.

The Scrip Policy for the Metis and the Agricultural Reserve Program of the Indians are dealt with in detail.

This book will appeal to general readers interested in Canadian history and the western plains. There is an extensive bibliography which should be of value to both students and researchers. 1885 and After is a very readable and interesting addition to Canadian history.