Interview: pp. 22-26 The Riel Rebellion: A Biographical Approach by Charles and Cynthia Hou
Sir John A. Macdonald was Prime Minister at the time of the Northwest Rebellion. Here are some links about him.
His biography: http://www.nlc-bnc.ca/premiersministres/h4-3031-e.html
http://www.nlc-bnc.ca/confederation/h18-2360-e.html
The National Policy:
http://www.canadahistory.com/sections/documents/macdonald_moves_the_national_policy.htm
http://www.thecanadianencyclopedia.com/index.cfm?PgNm=TCE&Params=J1ARTJ0005632
Macdonald's attitude towards the West: