Louis Riel; Hero or Villian

The Red River Rebellion

In March 1869, HBC sold Rupert's Land. Without including Metis and Indigenous in the agreement. William McDougall sent land surveyors to Red River to re-stake the land. In return the Metis organized the MNS, or the Metis National Committee to protect to social, cultural and political status, worried English Protestants were coming. And Riel protected them by being elected secretary later president and the committee ceased surveys because of his leadership.But they later made a roadblock to prevent William McDougall from entering RRS and seize upper Fort Garry. The committee wanted both English and French to discuss terms to allow Canadian authority into Northwest.

Red River Resistance

North West Resitance

In 1884, the Saskatchewan Métis brought Louis Riel, back to Canada. Riel urged all dissatisfied people in the North-West to unite and press their case on Prime Minister Sir John A. Macdonald’s Conservative government, which had failed to address their grievances. Later that year, Riel prepared a petition and urged Métis and non-Métis settlers to sign. On 8 March 1885 the Métis passed a 10-point “Revolutionary Bill of Rights” asserting Métis rights of possession to their farms, and other demands. In March, an armed force of Métis formed a provisional government, seized the parish church at Batoche, and demanded the surrender of the nearby Hudson’s Bay Company post at Fort Carlton. Riel was named president of the provisional government, and famed Métis hunter and tactician Gabriel Dumont was installed as military commander.

North-West Resistance

Metis

VS

RCMP

Legacy

The legacy that Louis Riel left behind is the impact he made toward metis people. He gained them more rights and land. He fought with a passion and now is honored on Louis Riel day in Manitoba on the third Monday every Febuary. That is also when Canada celebrates family day, said to be because he held family dear to his heart. Specifically, it was his father, since he was the one who sparked Louis Riel's interest in politics.

Some Controversy

Yes, It is my opinion the he was a hero, others may disagree because he did shoot a person, named Thomas Scott. As well as, he took away white men privilege and they were angry. He also broke laws and he was called bias because he was fighting for his own people. (My opinion)But overall, he did it for the overall good of people who didn't have a voice (the Métis)

Controversy

Fun Facts

Some facts about Louis RIel are:

1. He was of Métis descent

said to have one-eighth Indian blood, with his paternal grandmother being a Franco-Chipewyan Métisse.

2. He was a leader, teacher and politician

He was a promising student. He was sent to Montreal to train for priesthood and then later to study law.

3. He is the founder of Manitoba

H headed the Metis National Committee which was made into a provisional government.

4. He was controversial

To the Metis, he was a hero for the people but for majority of the Canadian West, he was a villain for taking rights and killing Thomas Scott

5. He is buried at the St. Boniface Cathedral in Winnipeg

Louis Riel’s remains are buried in the Sainte-Boniface Cathedral Cemetery, just across the Red River.

Credit

Sources

I give credit to The Canadian Encyclopedia, for providing facts and most information in my project.

Louis Riel | The Canadian Encyclopedia

https:www.thecanadianencyclopedia.ca