Minds On
North-West Mounted Police
In this learning activity, you will be learning about the creation of the North-West Mounted Police and the conflicts that they were involved in. By analysing these conflicts, you will consider the role the North-West Mounted Police had in the settlement and expansion of Canada.
Student Success
Think-Pair-Share
If possible, with a partner, reflect on the following questions:
- What comes to mind when you hear of the RCMP (Royal Canadian Mounted Police)?
- In what ways are they a symbol of Canada?
Record your ideas in a notebook or a method of your choice.
Note to teachers: See your teacher guide for collaboration tools, ideas and suggestions.
What do you notice?
Now, let’s compare the following two pictures of RCMP officers. How are they different? What do you think some of the responsibilities of the RCMP might be?
Record your ideas in a notebook or a method of your choice.
Action
While the content in this learning activity is aligned to the curriculum, some content may be sensitive to individual learners. Consider reaching out to a trusted adult to share your feelings and questions.
Origins
After the Red River Rebellion, disturbing news of illegal whiskey trading and warfare in the plains reached Ottawa. The federal government knew that for the West to attract settlers, peace had to be attained.
In 1873, the Canadian government formed the North-West Mounted Police (NWMP) to encourage peace and order in the Northwest Territory. The Northwest Territories included all of present-day Manitoba, parts of Saskatchewan, Alberta, and the Northern Territories.
The NWMP were modelled after the Royal Irish Constabulary and adopted a uniform of a scarlet tunic and blue trousers. Applicants had to be male, between the ages of 18 and 40. They had to be able to read either English or French. Numerous men applied and many of those who had previous military or police experience were accepted.
Press the following two tabs to explore two diverse roles of the North-West Mounted Police.
A primary role of the North-West Mounted Police was to deal with the illegal whiskey trade. Traders had begun to operate illegal trading posts where Métis and Indigenous peoples would trade buffalo hides in exchange for guns, ammunition, blankets, and most profitable of all, alcohol.
The illegal trade had resulted in the murder of several Assiniboine First Nations men in 1873 by American whiskey traders, and the government was concerned that there would be more violence.
The NWMP also played a crucial role in the management and containment of the Indigenous peoples living in the area. Despite having their own laws and governing systems, Prime Minister John A. Macdonald believed that First Nations and Métis were lawless people who would violently resist both their relocation to reserves and the arrival of settler farmers.
Source: Edward Butts, 2006
The increased presence of alcohol and weapons from the illegal whiskey trade convinced Macdonald that the solution to “law and order” was for the NWMP to help to establish “good relations” between the increasing number of settlers and the First Nations communities.
Source: Edward Butts, 2006
The presence and actions of the NWMP were not always beneficial to the Indigenous peoples, as they were used to enforce colonial policies intended to assimilate and forcibly relocate Indigenous peoples to reserves.
Other roles of the North-West Mounted Police included:
- establishing law and order
- collecting customs dues
- enforcing prohibition
- “supervising” treaties between the federal government and the First Nations peoples
- assisting in settlement and ensure the welfare of immigrants and settlers
- enforcing the Indian Act
- removing Indigenous children from their homes and bringing them to residential schools
- returning Indigenous children to residential schools if they ran away
Prohibition: a ban on sale and distribution of alcohol.
The Indian Act: a set of federal laws created in 1876 that addressed Indigenous culture, language, and identity. The laws were created to assimilate Indigenous people into mainstream Canadian life and values.
Becoming the RCMP
In 1920, the RCMP was created out of the North-West Mounted Police. Its headquarters moved from Regina to Ottawa, and they were given jurisdiction over all of Canada. Women were accepted as uniformed officers of the RCMP in 1974.
Today the RCMP serves as the main policing force in eight provinces and three territories. It is also their job to protect high levels of government, fight terrorism and organized crime, and keep the borders of our country safe.
Military
The Royal Canadian Mounted Police has a proud military heritage.
Check out some of the conflicts in which the RCMP has been involved in.
Press each historical event to explore the RCMP’s contributions.
Unfortunately, the government wanted the NWMP to stay in Canada and provide essential wartime duties for security and the protection of the railway. This was not widely supported by the men of the NWMP, which led many to join the Canadian Expeditionary Force once their time had expired.
Learning check!
Consider each statement, then choose if the statement is true or false.
Select the correct answer, then press ‘Check Answer’ to see how you did.
RCMP and Indigenous Peoples today
Although the RCMP helped to expand the Dominion of Canada, in recent years greater scrutiny has turned to the relationship between the RCMP and the Indigenous Peoples.
The RCMP, as a force, is aware of their need to rekindle trust and strengthen the relations with Indigenous communities in Canada. They are working to acknowledge and learn from their past, analyse their current relationship, and work with Indigenous communities to strengthen their relationship in the future.
What is the current relationship between the RCMP and the Indigenous communities?
Research
Using a reputable news site such as CBC, national or provincial newspapers/news sites, or Indigenous news sites, research for a recent story relating to the RCMP and Indigenous communities in Canada today, and complete the following chart:
Complete the Research Activity in your notebook, in the following fillable and printable document, or in a method of your choice.
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Name of the Article: |
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News Source: |
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List five facts learned from this news story: |
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What does this article tell you about the current role of the RCMP? |
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What does this article tell you about the relationship between the RCMP and our Indigenous peoples? |
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How do you know the news source you chose is credible? (i.e., it is a well-known source of information, the sources within the article are experts, they sourced a variety of experts in the article, etc.) |
Press the ‘Activity’ button to access Research Activity.
Consolidation
Relations
In what ways can the RCMP help to heal the relationship between themselves and Indigenous Peoples today?
Create a list of recommendations that could help to make a better relationship between the RCMP and Indigenous Peoples. For each recommendation that you list, explain how this would help to create a stronger relationship in the future.
Who could you communicate this list of recommendations to? Why would you choose this audience? How could you most effectively share these recommendations to this audience?
In a method of your choice, describe your choices for audience and format and then create a plan for this communication.
Press ‘Show Example’ to access a recommendation.
For example:
The RCMP should consult with Indigenous leaders when determining their responsibilities within Indigenous communities. This would help the RCMP as a force understand the needs of those living in Indigenous communities.
Complete the Recommendations List in your notebook, in the following fillable and printable documents, or in a method of your choice.
Reflection
As you read the following descriptions, select the one that best describes your current understanding of the learning in this activity. Press the corresponding button once you have made your choice.
I feel...
Now, expand on your ideas by recording your thoughts using a voice recorder, speech-to-text, or writing tool.
When you review your notes on this learning activity later, reflect on whether you would select a different description based on your further review of the material in this learning activity.