Decisive Canadian defeat of Métis rebels at Batoche

Background. In 1884, Métis leaders in Saskatchewan called upon Louis Riel to help resolve longstanding grievances with the Canadian government. Riel had fled to the United States after the Red River Rebellion and was naturalized there on 16 March 1883. On March 8, 1885, Riel and other prominent Métis at Batoche passed a 10-point "Revolutionary Bill of Rights" asserting Métis rights of possession to their farms. The North-West Rebellion began in March 1885 after Riel returned from political exile in the United States.

The Battle. The engagement occurred at Batoche, the ad hoc capital of the Provisional Government of Saskatchewan. General Frederick Middleton's force possessed greater numbers and superior firepower, which eventually overwhelmed the Métis fighters. By the time Batoche fell in May 1885, only 250 defenders remained, as many original followers had departed. The battle concluded on May 12, 1885.

Consequences. The defeat at Batoche ended Métis resistance in the North-West Rebellion. Louis Riel was tried for treason; the jury found him guilty but recommended mercy. Nonetheless, Judge Hugh Richardson sentenced him to death on 1 August 1885, and Riel was hanged on 16 November 1885 at the North-West Mounted Police barracks in Regina.