Which term describes a document that asserted Metis rights within Canada?

• A. York boats
• B. Metis
• C. Provisional Government
• D. Bill of Rights

Answer: (D)

A Bill of Rights is a formal document that lists the rights and protections a group seeks from the government. In the Red River settlement crisis, Metis leaders under Louis Riel drafted the Metis Bill of Rights to demand recognition of Metis rights as Canada prepared to take control of the territory. It outlined guarantees on land rights, language and education, governance, and other protections, framing the terms under which Manitoba would enter Confederation. The other options refer to things that are not documents declaring rights—the York boats are vessels, the Provisional Government was a governing body, and the Metis are the people themselves.