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He immigrated from England to British Columbia and served as a Conservative Party member of Parliament after B.C. joined Canadian confederation in 1871. He was appointed a member of Prime Minister Sir John A. Macdonald's cabinet in 1879, where he served as Indian commissioner for the North-West Territories until 1888.
In 1881 Macdonald arranged Dewdney's appointment as lieutenant governor of the North-West Territories. Dewdney resigned his seat in the Commons, but remained Indian commissioner during his term as lieutenant governor, which lasted until 1888. Responsible government had not yet been granted to the North-West Territories, so Dewdney was the Territories' head of government and not a mere figurehead. Perhaps his most notable decision in office was changing the territorial capitalThis article concerns places that serve as centers of government and politics. For alternative meanings see capital (disambiguation In politics a capital (also called capital city or political capital — although the latter phrase has an alternative meanin from BattlefordBattleford is a town located just across the river from North Battleford, Saskatchewan. Founded in 1875 as a fur trading post and NWMP (Northwest Mounted Police, now Royal Canadian Mounted Police) it is the oldest community in Saskatchewan. Between 1876 a to ReginaRegina is the provincial capital of Saskatchewan, Canada and was incorporated as a city on June 19, 1903. Regina was proclaimed the capital on May 23, 1906 by the first provincial government led by Premier Walter Scott. Regina is located at a latitude of in 1883Events January January 16 The Pendleton Civil Service Reform Act, establishing the United States Civil service, is passed January 19 The first electric lighting system employing overhead wires begins service ( Roselle, New Jersey) It was built by Thomas E.
After his term as lieutenant governor, Dewdney was again elected to Parliament and served as the member for Assiniboia East (now southeastern SaskatchewanSaskatchewan ( In Detail) ( In Detail) Motto: Multis E Gentibus Vires (From many peoples, strength CapitalLargest city Regina Saskatoon Area Total % fresh water 7th largest(5th lgst prov. 651 036 km² 9. 1% Population Total (2001) Density Ranked 6th 1 015) from 1888 to 1891. During this period he also served as minister of the Interior and superintendent of Indian Affairs.
In 1892 he was again appointed lieutenant governor, but this time for the province of British Columbia. He served in this post until 1897.
He retired from politics in 1900 after unsuccessfully running for Parliament in New Westminster, British ColumbiaNew Westminster, British Columbia is a small city located in the province of British Columbia in Canada. The city has a total population of 54,207 (2001 census). Geography New Westminster is located at 49° 13' North, 122° 54' West (49. 216667, -122. New W.
A major east-west street in Regina, Dewdney Avenue, is named after him.