Louis Riel

Louis Riel (October 22, 1844-November 16, 1885), sometimes called the "Father of Manitoba," was a leader of the Métis people in their resistance against the Canadian government in the Canadian Northwest. He is controversial to this day.

Riel was born in the Red River Settlement (now the area around Winnipeg, Manitoba). He trained for the priesthood and the law, but never graduated in either field.

By 1868, Riel had returned from Montreal to the Red River area. He became a leader of the Métis in the Red River area. Over the next two years, he organized and headed a provisional government, which eventually negotiated the Manitoba Act with the Canadian government. The Act established Manitoba -- previously part of the Northwest Territories -- as a province, and provided some protection for French language rights, an important issue for the largely French-speaking Métis.

Before this, however, the Canadian government appointed a notoriously anti-French governor, William McDougall. Riel's provisional government expelled McDougall from the province, and took control of Fort Garry (Winnipeg). When the Canadian government retook the fort, Riel fled to the United States. In 1875, Riel was formally exiled from Canada for five years. He was elected to the Canadian parliament three times while in exile, but never took his seat.

Riel became an American citizen in 1883. The following year, he was teaching at a Jesuit mission in Montana. A delegation from the community of Métis from the south branch of the Saskatchewan River asked him to represent them and present their grievances to the Canadian government. He did so, but received no response. By March of 1885, Métis patience was exhausted and a provisional government was declared.

Riel was the political and spiritual leader of a brief rebellion. He was increasingly influenced by his belief that he was divinely chosen as leader of the Métis. On May 15th, Riel surrendered to Canadian forces, and was tried for treason, with a jury consisting entirely of English-speaking Protestants.

During his trial, Riel made two long, eloquent speeches. He rejected his attorney's attempt to argue that he was not guilty by reason of insanity. The jury found him guilty but recommended mercy; nonetheless, Judge Hugh Richardson sentenced him to death. Riel was hanged for treason, and his execution caused lasting upset in Quebec.