The seeds of the 1885 Northwest Resistance began as early as the 1870s, with the lack of Métis representation in the government of the North-West Territories (which included present-day Alberta and Saskatchewan). Even after representation was granted in the 1880s, the Métis remained frustrated that the federal government did not address their many petitions regarding their lack of formal title to their lands and their desire for proper political representation. The Métis desperately wanted title because they did not want to be dispossessed like they had been in Manitoba following the Red River Resistance (1869-70).
The lack of a clear response to their numerous petitions made the Métis further determined to press the government. In the winter of 1883-84, Charles Nolin and Maxime Lépine organized a committee consisting of the leading Métis inhabitants of the Lorne district, North-West Territories. These Métis leaders held several meetings in which they sought ways to recognize their rights as a people, drew up a list of grievances and voted in favour of sending a delegation to Ottawa. They also resolved to bring Louis Riel back from the Montana territory.
