The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1885-05-20
WHAT REL FOUGHT FOR.
Some of THE Causes that Led to the Revolt-A
Half Breeds Statement.

Some ofth Causes that Led to the RevOlt-A
Half Breeds Statement.
Philadelphia Press.
1t is a mistake to suppose that the Northwest
rebels have been without arguments and griev-
ances. Some time since a correspondent of the
Press met an old half fresh from the disaf-
fected district, and in the course of conversation
he gave his version of the causes which led to
the troubles, as follows:
They claimed that neither the occupation of
the Northwest territories by the Dom inion gov
eminent nor the purchase by them of the rights
of the Hudson Bay Company had extinguished
the Indian title. The government, it is true,
had by treaty with the Indians satisfied their
claims, but the half breeds. are partially of
Indian blood, and have the same rights, as oc-
cupants Of the soil, as the Indians have. Fur
ther, the government has always conceded the
right, and has practically extinguished the half
breed claim in Monitoba by an allotment of land
and scrip to heads of families-160 acres, and to
their children minors $40 acres. Further pro-
vision is made by act of Parliament and power
is delegated to the Governor, in council, to sat
isfy any claims existing in connection with the
extinguishment of the Indian title preferred by
half breeds resident in the Northwest territories
outside of the province of Manitoba, previous to
July, 1870, granting land to such persons to such
extent and on such terms as may be deemed ex-
pedient
Special legislation was not required in order to
deal with matters connected with claims legiti-
mately preferred by the half breeds. They only
asked to be dealt with as their compatriots in the
Province of Manitoba were dealt with in 1870.
Briefly, their demands were that each half breed
resident in the Northwest territories, and who
would have been entitled to receive an allotment
of land had he lived in the province of Manitoba,
and who has not received it, should be given 160
acres of land, in extinguishment of his claims to
participate in the Indian title; that where persons
have died since 1870 the allotment to which they
were entitled should revert to their heirs.
In the Province of Monitoba the original hold
ings were respected. AS was natural in early
times, they settled in Manitoba close together
along the rivers. Claims made by them were
most religiously respected amongst themselves,
and, in the final settlement growing out of the
Red River troubles, the government of Canada
agreed to respect those claims also. AS a con-
sequence, the system of survey adopted by the
Dominion government was not made to apply to
half-breed claims, but they were afterwards laid
out in from six to ten chain frontage on the sew
eral rivers in the Province Of Manitoba, running
back two miles for hay, land and pasturage for
animals. The half breeds settled in the North
west territories long before the country was
ravaged by the government, and they were, of
course, ignorant of the character of the survey
that would be made. They had a right to ex-
pect that, as occupants of the soil, they would
be the owners, as well as the surveyors. As was
the custom in Manitoba, they settled close to-
gether on the lakes and rivers, built their houses
and made any improvements required, without
any regard to the points of the compass. Gen.
orally their respective claims were recognized
among themselves AS so much waterfront and
extending back at right angles with the water.
In after years the Canadian government began
their survey, which ran with lines north and
south and east and west, cutting the land into
square blocks one mile each way and containing
GAO acres. This was done the country over.
without regard to lakes or rivers, and in the case
of half breed lands, without any regard to the
claims of the breeds. Odd numbered sections
were reserved by the government for the
Canadian Pacific Railway, except where occupied
previously to the letting of the railway contract.
To make the case plain, take a quarter section
of land on a lake shore line which runs north
west and southeast, and leaving, say, forty acres
in the lake. On the balance of l20 acres are
located, say, five half breeds, with their cottages
on the lake shore, and their Improvements at
right angles thereto. 1t will be seen that none
Of the five can get entry for the quarter section,
because of the other occupants, nor can they
describe the holdings according to the system of
survey, because it does not conform to it. The
consequence is that they cannot receive their
entry, the survey is made at their own expense,
and they have to take what is given them, so
that land which they have improved Is very
often, by the survey. tackled onto q neighbours
holding. Meanwhile, white settlers 90 into the
districts and occupy contiguous lands. and the