Louis Riel
Louis Riel is viewed in many different ways, but titling him as a true Canadian hero would be a commendable definition. He became a strong leader of the Métis people between the years of 1867 and 1885. The lack of cowardice he showed when fighting for the right of the Métis people showed just how heroic he was. He simply gave the Métis what they asked for – a strong leader with a good heart. He put his own freedom at risk to show the Métis how much they were valued by him.
Louis Riel had been an obvious choice to serve as leader of the Métis. His educational history, while studying to become a priest and later as a lawyer, proved his leadership abilities. His father’s history as a Métis leader also provided a strong family history of leadership. Among a list of his many achievements was the “List of Rights” for the people of Red River. After the Hudson Bay Company transferred the Red River and North-West to the Canadian government, surveyors were sent by the Prime Minister of Canada, John A. MacDonald, to these locations. This wasn’t the only thing that the Métis feared the outcome of; the hostile Anglo-protestant immigrants arriving from Ontario made them very cautious as well. As leader of the National committee, Riel decided to take action by stopping the surveyors and ceasing to let McDougall into the Red River. He then sent himself and the Métis to Fort Garry, the HBC trading post, seizing the fort along with the officers inside it. That’s when Riel realized it was time to make a “List of Rights” for the people of Red River. He wanted the people of Red River to benefit from this new ownership, too. It was their land first and he wanted to make sure they received properly divided portions of land. He wasn’t about to let aliens take over the land that their families had owned for decades. He had to protect his peoples’ freedom.
After imprisoning the HBC officers, a Canadian armed resistance attempted to take back Fort Garry. They soon failed, surrendering to the Métis. While the officers were imprisoned inside Fort Garry, Riel distributed a “Declaration of the People of Rupert’s Land and the Northwest.” Not long after, Riel became head of the “provisional government,” proving to be an eligible leader. This led to the Canadian government sending ambassadors of “good will” to Red River to speak with Riel. At the request of Donald A. Smith, chief representative of HBC, Riel agreed to attend a meeting about the “List of rights” he had created. It was agreed that there were to be 40 speakers, 20 speaking French and 20 speaking English. The delegates discussed a new “List of Rights” and authorized Riel’s provisional government. An agreement was made to send three delegates to Ottawa to mediate the admission of Red River into confederation, while Riel would release the prisoners he had earlier captured at Fort Garry. Thomas Scott and Charles Boulton led a small group of men who had escaped from Fort Garry early on, but they were shortly captured again when the Métis felt threatened. Riel soon ordered a death sentence upon Scott at a court-martial advised by Ambroise Lépin, one of Riel’s colleagues. This was not in Riel’s best interest, but rather something done to ensure the safety of his people at their request.
When Riel heard word that a military force would be arriving for a Red River expedition, he escaped to the US in fear. John A. MacDonald attempted to keep Riel in the US, as a way of averting a political confrontation. Instead, Riel decided to enter federal politics, despite Ontario’s $5000 reward for his arrest, brought on by the execution of Thomas Scott. He was elected for the House of Commons three times in a by-election, but was banished from entering. He remained in exile for many years and spent time in several Québec asylums due to the belief he had about himself being on a religious mission as a chosen leader of the Métis. Many people believed this was just a nervous breakdown, but given the amount of people who chose Riel to lead the Métis, it doesn’t seem too drastic a thing for Riel to believe. Québec saw him as a protector of the Roman Catholic faith and French culture of Manitoba and he was seen as nothing more than a hero to the Métis. However, on July 6th, 1885, Riel was charged with treason. To be certain, they postponed his trial until his mental state had been studied. Although only one of the three physicians testing him declared him insane, he was found guilty. On November 16th, 1885, Louis Riel was hanged. His execution was objected extensively throughout Québec and the Métis. This shows what an impact he had on his many followers.
Louis Riel was a true Canadian hero. He led his people to a victory and his life ended with a great amount of respect from many people. His leadership skills got 1,400,000 acres of land for the Métis and a “List of Rights” for his people. Had he not been such a loyal leader and saviour, perhaps his death sentence would not have been so highly protested. In the end he may have been executed, but his main goal was still accomplished. He enabled the Manitoba Act and received the much deserved land that the Métis had been fighting for.
Bibliography
"Louis Riel" Wikipedia <http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Louis_riel> Dec.7, 2010.Stanley, George F.G, "Riel, Louis" The Canadian Encyclopedia <http://www.thecanadianencyclopedia.com/index.cfm?PgNm=TCE&Params=a1ARTA0006837> Dec. 8, 2010
"Louis Riel" University of Saskatchewan Archives <http://library2.usask.ca/northwest/background/riel.htm> Dec. 8, 2010
