Essay: Louis Riel

Louis Riel was born on October 22, 1844 in the Red River Settlement, the present day Winnipeg. He had help form two Canadian Provinces as well as found the identity for the Métis people and shake up the status quo of Canada. In my opinion Louis Riel was a patriot who stood up for his people and his beliefs however he was also a victim of prevailing prejudices of his time.
In 1869 November Louis Riel, as the leader of the Métis people and the territory of Red River, led the act of writing a List of Rights preceding the entry of Manitoba into confederation. These rights were not the contemplation of a revolutionary but rather that of a democrat. These French-speakers and the French-speaking Métis were very much in the majority in that territory.
The List of Rights wrote down included the right to elect their own legislature, the right that all sheriffs, magistrates, constable, school commissioners and many more be elected by the people, the right that English and French were to be commonly used by the government, the right that all documents and Acts of the legislature be published in English and French, the right that (the Territory) have a fair and full representation in the Canadian Parliament and finally the right that all privileges, customs and usage existing at the time of the transfer be respected.
Due to continuous unfairness from Loyalists and the Government of Canada, Louis Riel was also able to establish a provisional government. Additionally, this Provisional Government was a response to pressures from the United States for the territory to become part of the Union. Riel strongly fought against the Americans and helped bring back, what was later called, Manitoba into confederation with Canada. Despite the good intentions of the Provisional Government, it was commonly seen as a revolution by the Government of Canada. A group of these men took their revenge on Riel and his Provisional Government by trying to overthrow it.
In 1885 March 5, Riel met with ten other Métis and swore an oath to: “Save our country from a wicked government by taking up arms, if necessary.” It all went downhill from here.
Louis Riel, a leader of his people in the resistance against the Canadian government in the Canadian Northwest, is perhaps the most controversial figure in Canadian historiography. His life and deeds spawned a massive and diverse literature.
On December 10, Riel’s Provisional Government’s flag flew on the flag pole at Fort Garry. On December 27, following John Bruce’s resignation, Louis Riel became president of the Provisional Government. To this point in time, the Canadian government had been unaware of all the problems at Red River.
Riel was the undisputed spiritual and political head of the short lived 1885 Rebellion. He never carried arms and hindered the work of his military head, Gabriel Dumont. Riel was increasingly influenced by his obdurate belief that he was chosen to lead the Métis people.
On November 23, Riel proposed the formation of a provisional government to replace the Council of Assiniboia. This surprised the English-speaking half-breeds who asked for a few days’ adjournment for consultation, not believing that their mandate empowered them to make such a decision. The official transfer of the land to Canada had been set for December 1, 1869.
At his trial, Riel gave two long speeches which demonstrated his powerful rhetorical abilities. He personally rejected attempts by his defense counsel to prove he was not guilty by reason of insanity. On 1 August 1885, a jury of six English-speaking Protestants found Riel guilty but recommended mercy.
In order to find a way of negotiating their rights with Ottawa, Riel proposed that another convention of 20 French-speaking and 20 English-speaking representatives be called to draw up a new list of rights. The Convention began sitting one week later and their work was completed by February 10. With unanimous agreement, Riel formed a provisional government which was more representative than the previous one. Three delegates were elected to go and present the “List of Rights” to the Canadian government: Father Noël Ritchot, Judge Black and Alfred Scott.
In conclusion, Louis Riel was a hero as most of his actions were taken to preserve the Metis culture whose lands were under the sphere influence of the Canadian Government and also had a lasting influence on the development of Manitoba and Saskatchewan.
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