The Selkirk Settlement

In 1812 a wave of immigration brought many Scottish farmers to the Red River valley. The Scottish noblemen that were assigned to this land by the Hudson Bay Company renamed it the "Territory of Assiniboia". By taking this land, the settlers cut the North West Company's trade route in half. The Metis and the new settlers had a harsh winter that lasted seven months, which left the Metis and the settlers with a short growing season that was not very productive. The Metis then began to aid the settlers by teaching them how to hunt and trap, and in return, the settlers taught the Metis how to farm.