The Canadian government appointed the notoriously anti-French McDougall as the Lieutenant Governor of the North-West Territories-designate on September 28, 1869, in anticipation of a formal transfer to take effect on December 1.
 This increased tensions among the Métis.
In July 1869, the Metis suspicions had increased when McDougall ordered a survey of the settlement.
Emerging as a leader, Louis Riel, who had been formally educated in European-style schools, denounced the survey in a speech delivered in late August from the steps of Saint Boniface Cathedral.
His lifestyle was very different from those of buffalo-hunting Metis.
When Riel returned to the west, it was apparent that MacDonald fearing the United States was negotiating with HBC for the transfer Rupert’s land without consulting the Red River population and the Council of Assiniboia.
On October 11, 1869, Riel and other Métis disrupted the survey's work.
On October 16 this group organized the "Métis National Committee" to represent Métis interests.
 Riel was elected secretary, John Bruce as president, and two representatives were elected from each parish.

There were originally two resistance groups in Red River.
One was led by Riel, while the other was led by a Metis named William Dease.
Dease expressed the Metis values in his oppositions.
For a long time, they were locked in a power struggle.
The struggle was on a symbolic level, in while the two sides offered different perspectives on Metis unity.
It wasn’t until Riel had defeated Dease for the leadership of the resistance and consolidated his support system within the French Metis community that he felt strong enough to initiate the breach of October 1869.

Because the Hudson's Bay Company's Council of Assiniboia still had authority over the area, its representatives summoned Riel on October 25 to explain the actions of the committee.
 On October 30, McDougall had reached the border despite the written order from Riel.
Riel declared that any attempt by McDougall to enter the Red River Colony would be blocked unless the Canadians first negotiated terms with the Métis and with the general population of the settlement.

On November 2 under the command of Ambroise-Dydime Lépine, the Métis turned back McDougall's party near the United States border and forced them to retreat to Pembina, Dakota Territory.
 The number of Riel's followers had grown rapidly.
 That same day Riel led about 400, who were recruited from the fur-brigades who had recently returned to the settlement for the season, in seizing Fort Garry without bloodshed.
This would come to be known as one of Riel's most brilliant moves, as control of the fort symbolized control of all access to the settlement and the northwest.

Residents of the Red River Colony disagreed over how to negotiate with Canada; in particular, the French- and English-speaking inhabitants did not have a consensus on how to proceed.
In a conciliatory gesture, Riel on November 6 asked the Anglophones to select delegates from each of their parishes to attend a convention with the Métis representatives.
After few accomplishments at the first meeting, James Ross expressed displeasure at Riel's treatment of McDougall.
Riel angrily denied this.
It was then that he also stated that he had no intentions of invoking American interventions, and instead throughout the entire resistance he insisted that he and the Metis were loyal subjects of the queen.

On November 16, the Council of Assiniboia made a final attempt to assert its authority when Governor Mactavish issued a proclamation ordering the Métis to lay down their arms.
 Instead, on November 23 Riel proposed the formation of a provisional government to replace the council of Assiniboia to enter into direct negotiations with Canada.
 The Anglophone delegates requested an adjournment to discuss matters.
They did not succeed in rallying the English-speaking parishes behind this move.
Nor did they originally approve of the “List of Rights”, which was presented to the convention on December 1, after McDougall’s proclamation.
Despite his Métis sym
The Canadian government appointed the notoriously anti-French McDougall as the Lieutenant Governor of the North-West Territories-designate on September 28, 1869, in anticipation of a formal transfer to take effect on December 1.  This increased tensions among the Métis. In July 1869, the Metis suspicions had increased when McDougall ordered a survey of the settlement. Emerging as a leader, Louis Riel, who had been formally educated in European-style schools, denounced the survey in a speech delivered in late August from the steps of Saint Boniface Cathedral. His lifestyle was very different from those of buffalo-hunting Metis. When Riel returned to the west, it was apparent that MacDonald fearing the United States was negotiating with HBC for the transfer Rupert’s land without consulting the Red River population and the Council of Assiniboia. On October 11, 1869, Riel and other Métis disrupted the survey's work. On October 16 this group organized the "Métis National Committee" to represent Métis interests.  Riel was elected secretary, John Bruce as president, and two representatives were elected from each parish.
There were originally two resistance groups in Red River. One was led by Riel, while the other was led by a Metis named William Dease. Dease expressed the Metis values in his oppositions. For a long time, they were locked in a power struggle. The struggle was on a symbolic level, in while the two sides offered different perspectives on Metis unity. It wasn’t until Riel had defeated Dease for the leadership of the resistance and consolidated his support system within the French Metis community that he felt strong enough to initiate the breach of October 1869.
Because the Hudson's Bay Company's Council of Assiniboia still had authority over the area, its representatives summoned Riel on October 25 to explain the actions of the committee.  On October 30, McDougall had reached the border despite the written order from Riel. Riel declared that any attempt by McDougall to enter the Red River Colony would be blocked unless the Canadians first negotiated terms with the Métis and with the general population of the settlement.
On November 2 under the command of Ambroise-Dydime Lépine, the Métis turned back McDougall's party near the United States border and forced them to retreat to Pembina, Dakota Territory.  The number of Riel's followers had grown rapidly.  That same day Riel led about 400, who were recruited from the fur-brigades who had recently returned to the settlement for the season, in seizing Fort Garry without bloodshed. This would come to be known as one of Riel's most brilliant moves, as control of the fort symbolized control of all access to the settlement and the northwest.
Residents of the Red River Colony disagreed over how to negotiate with Canada; in particular, the French- and English-speaking inhabitants did not have a consensus on how to proceed. In a conciliatory gesture, Riel on November 6 asked the Anglophones to select delegates from each of their parishes to attend a convention with the Métis representatives. After few accomplishments at the first meeting, James Ross expressed displeasure at Riel's treatment of McDougall. Riel angrily denied this. It was then that he also stated that he had no intentions of invoking American interventions, and instead throughout the entire resistance he insisted that he and the Metis were loyal subjects of the queen.
On November 16, the Council of Assiniboia made a final attempt to assert its authority when Governor Mactavish issued a proclamation ordering the Métis to lay down their arms.  Instead, on November 23 Riel proposed the formation of a provisional government to replace the council of Assiniboia to enter into direct negotiations with Canada.  The Anglophone delegates requested an adjournment to discuss matters. They did not succeed in rallying the English-speaking parishes behind this move. Nor did they originally approve of the “List of Rights”, which was presented to the convention on December 1, after McDougall’s proclamation. Despite his Métis sym
Red River Rebellion