Complex sentence: The role of aboriginal peoples prior to--and during--the outbreak of the rebellion is often misunderstood; a number of factors have created the misconception that the Cree and Métis were acting in unison.
Split into simpler sentences: The role of aboriginal peoples prior to--and during--the outbreak of the rebellion is often misunderstood. A number of factors have created the misconception that the Cree and Métis were acting in unison.