PrologueIt was a tragic day at Seven Oaks, Manitoba. On June 19, 1816, the Metis leader, Cuthbert Grant, and his men were armed for war and many were painted with war paint. As their captain general, Grant was leading over 60 Metis on horseback to capture the Hudson's Bay Company's Fort Douglas, the centre of Selkirk's Red River settlement.There was no surprise element to the attack. The colony's Governor Semple, a Boston-born Loyalist, had already been warned about an attack, but had chosen to ignore the warning. Semple believed diplomacy was all that was needed to diffuse the situation. His plan was to meet the attackers and read them the proclamation forbidding Metis to commit acts of violence against the colony.Grant and his mounted riders arrive.

He calls for the Metis to halt at the group of trees known as Seven Oaks. They stop to position themselves in a half-moon formation. At the same time, Semple leads about 30 volunteers, on foot, out of the fort. In single file, they walk across the field to meet the Metis.The Metis begin to tighten their half-circle, manoeuvring Semple and his men towards the river bank. Grant signals a Metis named Francois Boucher to order Governor Semple and his men to lay down their arms - or be shot. Boucher slowly brings his horse forward. Semple strides forward to meet him and boldly seizes the bridle of Boucher's horse.

Grant has his gun trained on Semple.A heated discussion develops. ""What do you want?"" asks Boucher in broken English. ""What do you want?"" says Semple, throwing the question back to Boucher. "We want our fort," is the reply. "Well, go to your frt!" Semple yells back.There is a scuffle as Semple tries to seize Boucher's gun. A shot rings out.

Grant, who still has his gun onthe governor - pulls the trigger - wounding Semple in the thigh.And the fierce competition for the fur trade becomes warfare.