What prompted the Northwest Resistance in 1885?

• A. The encroachment of railway and settlers into western Canada threatening Métis lands.
• B. A desire to establish a new Métis province.
• C. A discovery of gold in Alberta.
• D. The signing of a new treaty guaranteeing Métis land.

Answer: (A)

The event was sparked by Métis fears that their land and way of life would be erased as settlers moved into western Canada and the railway pushed through Métis territory. The rapid growth of settlement, along with government policies that didn’t adequately recognize Métis land rights, left many Métis feeling their communities were being displaced. Leaders like Louis Riel and Gabriel Dumont organized to defend their lands and livelihoods, leading to the confrontation known as the Northwest Resistance in 1885. This is why the option describing encroachment by railway and settlers is the best answer. The other ideas don’t fit the situation: there wasn’t a push to create a Métis province, no gold rush sparked the resistance, and there wasn’t a new treaty guaranteeing Métis land at that time.