Through lack of representation in the government of the North-West Territories and the lack of response to several petitions by the Métis, the roots of the North-West Resistance began. In 1884, Charles Nolin and Maxime Lépine organized a committee that consisted of Métis people and desired to improve the recognition of their rights. Along with his first cousin Louis Riel, Nolin initially took part in Riel's Council at Batoche during the resistance. Although, he distanced himself from Riel in terms of advocated taking up arms in order to resolve Métis grievances with the Canadian government. His stance had changed following Riel's estrangement from the Roman Catholic clerics of the Saint-Laurent mission.