Louis Riel is possibly the most significant and definitely the most controversial Metis leader throughout all of Canada’s history. He was a leader, a rebel, the father of Manitoba, a politician, a defender of the Metis people and their culture, and so much more. Louis Riel was a Metis man born on October 22, 1844 in the Red River Settlement, and died on November 16, 1885 in Regina. Throughout his complex life, Riel accomplished much, despite his failures, and never broke faith or loyalty to his Metis people. Louis Riel is viewed differently by everyone; to some he was a hero, to others he was a traitor, and some believe he was simply insane.
To many people in Canada, particularly to the Metis of the Prairies, Louis Riel was undoubtedly a hero. …show more content…
The goal of the List of Rights was to establish the Red River area into confederation as the province of Manitoba, while guaranteeing the rights of the Metis at the same time. When the federal government continued to delay its acceptance of the List of Rights, Louis Riel helped in the formation of a provisional government in the Red River area, and also became its leader. On July 15, 1870, Manitoba was finally established as a province and most of the terms of the List of Rights were accepted by the Canadian government. This was one of Riel’s most memorable acts and it makes him a hero to all who live in Manitoba. In addition to the creation of Manitoba, Louis Riel also aided in the formation of the province of Saskatchewan, although with a less successful result. The government’s interest in negotiating with Metis had greatly decreased by 1885, due to the establishment of the North-West Mounted Police and the near completion of the Canadian Pacific Railway. In response, Riel drafted a bill of rights for the Metis in Saskatchewan (then Batoche), which would help secure their land rights. However, when the Metis heard that the government was …show more content…
Riel’s lawyers tried to convince the jury in his trial that Riel was insane and therefore not responsible for his actions. Whether this would have spared Riel’s life or not is uncertain, but Riel was quick to discard the idea all the same. Louis Riel knew that if he was viewed as insane, then the whole Metis cause would appear illegitimate. Riel made sure that the jury knew that he was sane, which unfortunately secured his demise. To this day, people are still conflicted over the the issue of Riel’s sanity. After all, even some of Louis Riel’s friends claimed that he was insane. In particular, Riel’s sudden change in faith in 1875 resulted in him becoming much more radical and eccentric. Riel claimed that he had been visited by the “Divine Spirit” which deemed him as a prophet in a new world. Riel accepted this role and began using “David” as his middle name, in some correlation to the Hebrew King David. As well, he had occasional episodes of unusual behaviour, particularly during sessions of prayer, such as violently taking off his clothes or loudly yelling. This bizarre behaviour resulted in Riel being admitted into several asylums, including one in Beauport, Quebec. However, Riel did make improvements while in these institutions and he was released without concern. Furthermore, it seems clear that Louis Riel was in a relatively stable state of mind during his involvement in the North-West Resistance, as
To many people in Canada, particularly to the Metis of the Prairies, Louis Riel was undoubtedly a hero. …show more content…
The goal of the List of Rights was to establish the Red River area into confederation as the province of Manitoba, while guaranteeing the rights of the Metis at the same time. When the federal government continued to delay its acceptance of the List of Rights, Louis Riel helped in the formation of a provisional government in the Red River area, and also became its leader. On July 15, 1870, Manitoba was finally established as a province and most of the terms of the List of Rights were accepted by the Canadian government. This was one of Riel’s most memorable acts and it makes him a hero to all who live in Manitoba. In addition to the creation of Manitoba, Louis Riel also aided in the formation of the province of Saskatchewan, although with a less successful result. The government’s interest in negotiating with Metis had greatly decreased by 1885, due to the establishment of the North-West Mounted Police and the near completion of the Canadian Pacific Railway. In response, Riel drafted a bill of rights for the Metis in Saskatchewan (then Batoche), which would help secure their land rights. However, when the Metis heard that the government was …show more content…
Riel’s lawyers tried to convince the jury in his trial that Riel was insane and therefore not responsible for his actions. Whether this would have spared Riel’s life or not is uncertain, but Riel was quick to discard the idea all the same. Louis Riel knew that if he was viewed as insane, then the whole Metis cause would appear illegitimate. Riel made sure that the jury knew that he was sane, which unfortunately secured his demise. To this day, people are still conflicted over the the issue of Riel’s sanity. After all, even some of Louis Riel’s friends claimed that he was insane. In particular, Riel’s sudden change in faith in 1875 resulted in him becoming much more radical and eccentric. Riel claimed that he had been visited by the “Divine Spirit” which deemed him as a prophet in a new world. Riel accepted this role and began using “David” as his middle name, in some correlation to the Hebrew King David. As well, he had occasional episodes of unusual behaviour, particularly during sessions of prayer, such as violently taking off his clothes or loudly yelling. This bizarre behaviour resulted in Riel being admitted into several asylums, including one in Beauport, Quebec. However, Riel did make improvements while in these institutions and he was released without concern. Furthermore, it seems clear that Louis Riel was in a relatively stable state of mind during his involvement in the North-West Resistance, as