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Draft Article; Edgar Dewdney

Claire Crompton, Jessica Parsons, Alexander Mackenzie:

As a group, we extended our research to points such as Edgar Dewdney's early life and career, the starvation of the Natives, the North-West Rebellion of 1885, as well as criticism of Dewdney. We created a new section on Indigenous relations as these relationships were vital to the development of Dewdney’s character throughout his career as Indian Commissioner and Lieutenant-Governor. We also noted that the existing Wikipedia page fails to mention several appointments and other positions in his political life such as the Indian Commissioner. We expanded our resource base and found new sources that spoke to the lasting impact that he has had on what is now known as British Columbia. By highlighting these points, we hope to show both the positive and negative impacts that Dewdney has had throughout his career and lifetime.

Early life and career: Research: Dewdney was active in political life in British Columbia throughout the 1860s. Dewdney had little to no knowledge regarding Canadian politics when his interests first piqued. (Titley, 1999, 39) After a few years in Provincial politics, Sir John A. Macdonald wanted Dewdney to become the Indian Commissioner in the North-west because he knew of the “Indians” in the area quite well. (Titley, 1991, 39) Dewdney had an advantage due to his “knowledge of the Indian Character,” and not originating from Ottawa. (Titly, 1999, 40) Later on in his life, Dewdney held dual titles of Indian Commissioner and Lieutenant-Governor of the Northwest Territories. (Dempsey, 1994, 180.) He was also the Lieutenant-Governor of BC and after 3 years, retired and became a surveyor. (Harvey,1998, 117) Due to his prestigious career in politics, he was believed to be the right fit for them to study and surveying of the Cascades. He discovered three routes, Allison, Coquihalla, and Railroad Passes in his 1902. However, he disclosed that he never liked any of these routes due to their engineering difficulties. So, Dewdney suggested the Canadian Pacific Railway (CPR) should build from Midway to Princeton, the north to Merritt and Spences Bridge, and have Fraser Canyon as the way through the Cascades. (Harvey, 1998, 134) Dewdney was recognized as a legendary trail builder of colonial days in British Columbia. (Harvey, 1998, 116) He played a large role in the westward expansion of Canada. He faced issues regarding Canadian expansionism and the effect on Indigenous peoples. Crisis: The Starvation of the Natives: Research: The bison population had been at risk following 1840 when large hunts began to be conducted to supply hides for trade. This exploitation of bison for the fur trade greatly affected the Indigenous peoples who relied completely on every aspect of the bison for food, clothing and resources for housing. (Mcquillan, 1980, 383) Dewdney outlined in the Royal Commission to inquire into Changes affecting the Administration of Justice in the North-West territories that the “scarcity of buffalo [in Fort Walsh] had not been exaggerated, and numbers of Indians of the Cree, Assiniboine and Blackfeet were awaiting the arrival of Col. MacLeod and myself.” (Canada, 1880,76) After the decline of the bison populations created a famine which “reduced the Indians to a state of dependence on government relief supplies and even forced the Indians to seek government on their reserves.” (Mcquillan, 1980, 384) Despite the scarcity in bison populations, the government provided Indigenous peoples on reserves with food rations from the North West Mounted Police. Dewdney travelled parts of the North-West with Col. James Macleod in response to the starvation crisis. Before heading to Blackfoot Crossing, Macleod stated in Fort Walk that the resolution to the buffalo problem and the starvation of the Indigenous was to promote an agricultural lifestyle rather than one based on buffalo. After seeing the crisis at Blackfoot Crossing, Dewdney stressed that the Indigenous people there should work to help themselves out of the buffalo crisis. (Canada, 1880, 79) The Royal Commission shows that members of the Blackfoot nation were grateful for Dewdney’s promises to end the crisis. (Canada, 1880, 79) Ottawa and Dewdney believed that the Blackfoot Crossing could be a prosperous agricultural settlement. Upon arriving in Blackfoot, Dewdney hoped to talk about this possible prosperity but before his arrival, he had received the news that a few buffalo had crossed through the settlement and destroyed the crops. (Mulvaney, 1885, 59) In the early 1880s, government officials withheld rations from Indigenous people as a tool to bring them into submission. (Carter, 1999, 142) From 1881-1883, it was recorded that bison and buffalo herds were headed towards Fort Walsh. Upon hearing so, Indian Commissioner Edgar Dewdney ordered that the food rations for Fort Walsh be reduced. The North West Mounted Police began preparation to abandon their post at the fort, which meant, Indigenous people could only receive their treaty payments and other assistance if or when they sign the treaty and moved north. Dewdney's refusal to allow and supply relief pushed many over the edge. (Hogue, 2015, 155) In October of 1882, the reports from Augustus Jukes regarding the limited food, and lack of shelter did not have an effect on Dewdney. As a result, Fort Walsh closed in 1882 which left many Indigenous people starved, unless they signed Treaty One or Treaty Two. (Carter, 1991, 142) Dewdney said that he would recognize any male Cree as a chief if he could get the support of 100 or more men to accept him as a leader. With this, many men separated from their bands in order to create new so that they could receive the rations promised to them by the government and NWMP. (Carter, 1999, 142) In 1882, it was reported that Cree and Assiniboine that settled in Cyprus Hill were supplied with minimal rations and no proper forms of transportation. As a result, many Cree and Assiniboine began travelling to Indian Head. However, along the journey, due to starvation many died on their way. The reserve in Indian Head was called Win-cha-pa-ghen, or Skull Mountainettes because the mountains were littered with skulls due to intentional lack of support from the government. (Carter, 1999, 142) In the spring, many made the journey back to Cyprus Hill, this is where Augustus Juke’s reported that many of the Cree and Assiniboine were in starving condition and did not have common necessities of life. This was the direct result of the Indian Commissioners insistence on letting them starve unless they give in and sign the treaty. (Carter, 1999, 149) Dewdney was quoted saying “the longer they continue to act against the wishes of the Government, the more wretched will they become.” (Carter. 1999, 148) In 1884, tensions were rising. A letter was written by Charles Borromée Rouleau, Justice of the Supreme Court of the Northwest Territories and legal advisor in the Northwest Territories, to Edgar Dewdney on September 5, 1884. This letter discussed the conditions in Indigenous communities during the Northwest Rebellion, stating “ Riel can harm the country, and that the government must come to the assistance of the Indians or misery and starvation will result.” Dewdney ultimately ignored this information, allowing the half-breed (Metis) to starve. (http://www.glenbow.org/collections/search/findingAids/archhtm/extras/dewdneye/m-320-1398-1427.pdf) ******* DISCLAIMER: Rouleau, Charles Borromée. Charles Borromée Rouleau to Edgar Dewdney, September 5, 1884. Letter. This citation is incomplete. It will be corrected in the final draft. In 1886, Dewdney describes the state's initiatives to provide rations to Indigenous communities as a “policy of reward and punishment,” only bands deemed as “loyal” would receive rations, livestock, and other farming equipment. (Daschuk, 2013, 159) To help promote an agricultural lifestyle within Indigenous communities, treaties stipulated that farming supplies would be made available as well as livestock. Dewdney believed that one of the reasons Indigenous people could not become self-supporting was due to the treaties failing to provide grist mills for grain farming. (McQuillan, 1980, 391) Dewdney, as Commissioner noted and knew that there were insufficient resources and supplies despite the terms of the treaties. “Because of inadequate supplies, the Indians grew disillusioned with the prospect of supporting themselves by agriculture.” (McQuillan, 1980, 389-390) The North-West Rebellion can be linked to the starvation crisis. The Frog Lake Massacre on April 2, 1885, was due to the restlessness of the native people in the area of Frog Lake due to the lack of food and resources. (Mulvany, 1885, 89) Theresa Delaney, a settler who was held captive and husband shot in Frog Lake believed that Edgar Dewdney should be blamed as a cause for the massacre in that while visiting Frog Lake, Dewdney made many promises in regards to food and aid, but none of the promises were fulfilled. (Delaney et al. 1994, xxx) The Northwest Rebellion of 1885:

Research: It was clear that there were many issues in the North-West region prior to the outbreak of the Metis rebellion. Peter Ballendine and Superintendent Crozier acted as informants for Dewdney in the events leading up to the outbreak of rebellion. With the information that he had gathered, Dewdney believed that he could maintain peace within the region and that he had control of the situation. (Titley, 1999, 63) He, however, did not have faith in the ability of Indian agents across the region to maintain and control the unrest that was beginning to arise within Indigenous communities. As a result, Dewdney called for the appointment of a second roving inspector in 1885, as he believed that it was difficult for one man to do the job effectively over a vast amount of territory, as well as the fact that the current roving inspector T.P. Wadsworth was reporting his findings to other officials behind Derdney’s back. (Titley, 1999, 63) Since his arrival in the North-West, Dewdney supported the increase of rations for Indigenous communities and believed that it was crucial that the terms outlined in treaties were met in order to maintain peace between the Metis and colonial settlers. (Titley, 1999, 64) The issue regarding Metis land claims and entitlement had been a topic of discussion for many years prior to the outbreak of rebellion. Louis Riel’s return to Canada caught the attention of the Canadian government which motivated the efforts of communities along the Saskatchewan River to advance political demands. The Federal Government did not want to negotiate. Riel and the Metis forwarded their demands to Ottawa in 1884. Dewdney; Lieutenant Governor, stated the government would investigate the claims of those who did not receive land or script in Manitoba, but made no other promises. (Hogue, 2015, 174) Riel wanted “land titles and government by the people” instead of Dewdney holding absolute power in the region. (Titley, 1999, 66) The issue had been brought up to Prime Minister Sir John A. Macdonald many times, but had always been pushed aside to prioritize other issues occurring within the dominion. Many settlers in the region were becoming anxious and feared the outbreak of a rebellion, so in February 1885, Dewdney urged the Prime Minister to respond to the land claims request from the Metis. This request was once again ignored. Later that month, officials in Saskatchewan began sending reports to Dewdney regarding Metis military action that had begun in the area. It had been reported that the Metis had obtained weapons and ammunition from traders, which was considered illegal. This was alarming for Dewdney, who believed that action needed to be taken to control the Metis and suppress tensions. As a result, Dewdney prepared to send police to the area if need be. (Titley, 1999, 65) When Riel and his followers began to take prisoners and recruit support from individuals on nearby reserves, Dewdney allowed one hundred Mounted Police to intervene. (Titley, 1999, 66) Dewdney was devoted to preventing other Indians on reserves from joining Riel in the rebellion as an attempt to keep settlers in the area at ease. His idea was to “tempt” Indians to remain on their reserve and and remain devoted to the Canadian state by offering them more rations and goods. (Titley, 1999, 67) When violence broke out between Riel and the government, Dewdney conducted a tour of Indian reserves in the area, listening to the specific needs of the individuals living on the reserves in an attempt to keep them happy. Dewdney offered them more rations of tobacco, bacon, flour, and tea. This was done to keep the Indians on the reserve loyal to the state and separated from the rebellious Metis. (Titley, 1999, 67) Dewdney maintained this appeasement strategy throughout the rebellion.

Dewdney emphasized the need to be loyal to the state throughout the rebellion. He suggested that rations and other goods should be withheld from “rebel” Indians after the rebellion had ended until it was decided how justice could be achieved. (Titley, 1999, 74) Dewdney believed that the Indians who had been loyal to the state should be rewarded after the rebellion had ended. These individuals were awarded through the distribution of money and livestock. (Titley, 1999, 76) After the rebellion had ended, Dewdney took actions to improve the level of security on reserves. This was done to ensure that another rebellion did not break out. (Titley, 1999, 78) Dewdney believed that all those involved in the rebellion should be sentenced accordingly. He supported the use of jail sentences and believed that many executions needed to be carried out in order to make a statement, including the execution of Louis Riel. (Titley, 1999, 77) Dewdney believed that the future of Indigenous communities lay in the younger generation. He feared Indigenous children and the power that hey held. This was one of the arguments that justified his support the closing of day schools and the creation of residential schools in order to fully transform Indigenous children into model citizens. This needed to be done in order to maintain control and ensure that another rebellion did not occur. (Titley, 1999, 78)

Indigenous Relations: New Section!

Westward expansion further strained Indigenous and Crown relations with the increase in European settlers moving east. Metis and Indigenous peoples were affected by the increase in settlement and the methods of land settlement imposed by the government in Qu’Appelle and Saskatchewan. Indigenous peoples distrusted Dewdney due to his control over the land in question for settlement. New settlers arriving in the region began to push out the Metis in Manitoba. (Mulvany, 1885, 23) The anxieties held by the Metis in regards to settler migration became a reality. Surveying of Metis land for the new settlers created new tensions and Dewdney failed to acknowledge or remedy the situation. (Janigan, 2012, 75) There are some instances that Dewdney mediated territorial disputes as Superintendent-General of Indian Affairs and while travelling the areas affected by the starvation crisis in 1879. He notes in the Royal Commission that the Sacree nation was in dispute with the Blackfeet over flour rations. The Sacree were to travel to Fort MacLeod to avoid further trauma caused by starvation but voiced concern over the area also being inhabited by the Blackfeet. Dewdney ends the dispute and the Sacree agree to move to Fort MacLeod. (Canada, 1880, 80-81).

The early 1880s saw raids led by Indigenous bands to steal cattle and horses from ranchers. This is directly linked to the loss of the bison in the area and the subsequent starvation crisis. These raids occurred across into the United States and created American tensions. As a Result, Dewdney created a permit system in 1882 so that groups such as the Blackfeet and Assiniboine could move across the border to hunt, visit relatives, and for leisure. (Hogue, 2002, 11-12) Dewdney supported and defended the allegations against Canadian Indigenous peoples as being held responsible for the depredations in Northern Montana. (Hogue, 2002, 11) Rancher anxieties and prompts from the Americans due to raids by Indigenous peoples pushed Dewdney to move Indigenous bands “from the southern prairies of Assiniboia to reserves north of the Canadian Pacific Railroad;” this plan disrupted bands searching and following remaining bison across the international boundary. The Mounted Police were instructed to use force in the movement of bands north. (McQuillan, 1980, 385) Dewdney triumphantly claimed that there were no more natives north of the CPR line. (McQuillan, 1980, 385)

Concerning governance, Dewdney advocated the use of the Indian At to dispose of Indian chiefs. This would help the colonial government to maintain power in local communities by removing leadership. Due to this, arrests were made towards those viewed as ‘bad Indians.’ (Monaghan, 2013, 502) Additionally, Dewdney mediated territorial disputes as Superintendent-General of Indian Affairs and while travelling areas affected

Criticism: Dewdney is known for making promises to the indigenous people which raised expectations, as well, many of these promises went unfulfilled. (Delaney et al. 1999, 30) At the time of the Northwest Rebellion, Dewdney was Indian Commissioner as well as Lieutenant Governor of the Northwest. This gave him a great deal of power and influence in the area. This caused a great deal of criticism towards him, as many believe that he was able to abuse this power to ultimately achieve his goals. (Titley, 1999, 80)

Bibliography

Canada. Royal Commission to Inquire Into Changes Affecting the Administration of Justice in the North-West Territories. Report of the Royal Commission to Inquire Into Changes Affecting the Administration of Justice in the North-West Territories. Ottawa: Indian Affairs, 1880.

Carter, Sarah. Aboriginal People and Colonizers of Western Canada to 1900. Toronto, ON: University of Toronto Press, 1999.

Daschuk, James. Clearing the Plains: Disease, Politics of Starvation, and the Loss of Aboriginal Life. Regina, SK: University of Regina Press, 2013.

Delany, Theresa, and Theresa Gowanlock. Two Months in the Camp of Big Bear. Regina, SK: Canadian Plains Research Centre, University of Regina, 1999.

Dempsey, Hugh A. Crowfoot: Chief of the Blackfeet. Norman, OK: University of Oklahoma Press, 1972.

Dempsey, Hugh A. The Amazing Death of Calf Shirt and Other Blackfoot Stories. Norman, OK: University of Oklahoma Press, 1994.

Harvey, R.G. Carving the Western Path, By River, Rail, and Road Through B.C’s Southern Mountains. Toronto, ON: Heritage House, 1998.

Hogue, Michel. “Disputing the Medicine Line: The Plains Crees and the Canadian-American Border, 1876- 1885.” Montana: The Magazine of Western History 52, no. 4 (2002): 2-17.

Hogue, Michel. Metis and the Medicine Line: Creating a Border and Dividing a People. North Carolina, USA: University of North Carolina Press. 2015.

Indian Treaties and Surrenders, From 1680-1890. Ottawa ON: University of Ottawa, 1891.

Janigan, Mary. Let the Eastern Bastards Freeze in the Dark: The West Versus the Rest Since Confederation. Toronto, ON: Alfred A. Knopf Canada 2012.

McQuillan, D. Aidan. “Creation of Indian Reserves on the Canadian Prairies 1870-1885.” Geographical Review 70, no. 4 (1980): 79-396.

Monaghan, Jeffrey. “Settler Governmentality and Racializing Surveillance in Canada's North-West.” The Canadian Journal of Sociology 38, no. 4 (2013): 1-13.

Mulvany, Charles P. The History of the North-west rebellion of 1885. Toronto, ON: A. H. Hovey and CO., 1885.

Titley, Brian. The Frontier World of Edgar Dewdney. Toronto, ON: UBC Press, 1999.

Peer Review
MeliviaBlank (talk) 17:05, 14 February 2018 (UTC)
 * So far you're off to a great start
 * You cover a lot of information about different parts of his life
 * It is clear that you know what you want to cover in this article and that you have already put a lot of work into it
 * There are some parts that will need rephrasing as they sound a bit too much like an essay minor example "So, Dewdney suggested" could just be "Dewdney suggested"
 * Don't forget to link to relevant wiki pages in your final version (as you did with the CPR)
 * You use a good selection of sources
 * Overall, this is really well written and I can't wait to read the final product

Peer Review

 * All I can say is WOW!
 * The article is thorough regarding his entire life, which is impressive. We have an issue on getting information on Wandering Spirit, so I am quite jealous.
 * The way this article is structured is easy to follow, and well-created.
 * Just like the above comment, some parts sound too much like an essay compared to a wikipedia article. Perhaps after everything is written, get someone outside of the class to read it and see if they think it sounds like an essay or a wikipedia article.
 * Wish I had more suggestions! A very thorough job, great job. — Preceding unsigned comment added by Brycesaulnier (talk • contribs) 17:39, 8 March 2018 (UTC)