The North-West Resistance of 1885

Card covers, saddle stitched with staples, 40 pages, 7x8.5 in - 17.5x21.5 cm, B&W photographs.

Cover corners very lightly bumped. Staples beginning to rust. Spine rubbed. Return mail label of a previous owner adhered to front cover verso.

This volume is the longest entry in the Gabriel Dumont Institute’s “Métis Historical Booklet” series, drawing together figures and events explored throughout the series. The book situates the 1885 North-West Resistance in a trajectory of growing conflict between the Red River Métis, settlers, and the newly formed Canadian government, covering topics like the establishment of Provisional Governments, the signing of treaties, and the role of politicians such as Lawrence Clarke. The second half of the volume focusses on battles at Fish Creek, Duck Lake, and Batoche. Throughout, the text characterizes the actions of Louis Riel, Gabriel Dumont, and the Métis as acts of resistance against wrongful treatment rather than rebellion against lawful governance. Transcripts of correspondence between key figures and large photographs appear throughout the text.