In the summer of 1869 the proposed transfer of the northwest (Rupert’s Land) from the Hudson’s Bay Company to Canada brought about a period of unrest in the region. Concerned that they had not been consulted, several inhabitants of the Red River colony, including a large number of Métis led by Louis Riel, organized a resistance. A provisional government prepared a list of demands and began negotiations with Canada, which led to the Manitoba Act. It responded to several of the demands, including respect of land titles, provincial status, the establishment of responsible government, bilingual institutions, and separate schools. The act came into effect officially on 15 July 1870, when Manitoba joined confederation. The creation of the new province was, however, followed by a period of instability and violence marked by Riel’s exile.