During the Battle of Seven Oaks, what occurred?

• A. Metis forces defeated Semple's party with heavy HBC casualties and forced surrender of Fort Douglas
• B. A treaty was signed between HBC and Metis
• C. Fort Douglas successfully repelled the Metis
• D. Only Metis suffered many casualties and retreated

Answer: (D)

The Battle of Seven Oaks shows a clear Métis victory, with heavy losses on the Hudson’s Bay Company side. Near Fort Douglas, the Métis, led by Cuthbert Grant and allied with the North West Company, attacked the HBC party led by Governor Robert Semple. Semple was killed and many HBC men died or were wounded, while Métis casualties were relatively light. The HBC force was defeated and retreated. This event is a notable moment in the Pemmican War, illustrating the Métis resistance to HBC encroachment. It isn’t true that only Métis suffered many casualties or that they retreated; the opposite happened.