Who were the Métis and what were the Métis Rebellions about?
The Métis were a people of mixed aboriginal and French descent who lived in the Northwest Territories and who engaged in hunting, trading and some agriculture. The Métis were involved in two rebellions in Canada. One in 1870 which resulted in the creation of the province of Manitoba and another in 1885 known as the Saskatchewan Rebellion. In both rebellions they were led by Louis Riel.
Louis Riel
The Manitoba Rebellion 1870
In 1869, the Northwest Territories was to be transferred from the Hudson's Bay Company to the Canadian government. The Métis, who resided along the Red River, were never consulted about the terms and date of the transfer. Fearful  for their language, culture, religion and the possible loss of land, Riel and his followers set up a provisional (temporary) government. A Bill of Rights embodying the people's demands was also drafted. 
The Canadian government sent its negotiators and on May 12, 1870 the federal government passed the Manitoba Act creating the province of Manitoba. French and English were to be the official languages in Manitoba's legislature and Catholic and Protestant schools were to be maintained.
The Saskatchewan or the Northwest Rebellion 1885
In 1885, Riel came back to lead an armed rebellion against the federal government. Once again both the Métis and Native populations feel threatened by the arrival of the railroad and large number of immigrants. The rebellion however failed with the Métis defeat at Batoche and the capture of Riel. Riel was tried in court, convicted of treason and given the death penalty. The hanging of Riel in 1885 sparked protests in Quebec. The incident ignited French Canadian nationalism and divided the country. English Canada supported the execution, however, in Quebec, Louis Riel was seen as a martyr and a victim of Protestant hatred. Shortly afterwards, Honoré Mercier was elected and became the first nationalist premier of the province.

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