Louis Riel Research Paper

Louis Riel was an influential Canadian politician, founder of the Province of Manitoba, and a spokesperson of the Metis peoples of Canada. Louis Riel is widely know as one of the most controversial people in Canada’s historiography, leading the Metis peoples of Canada in their resistance against the Canadian government in the Canadian Northwest.

Louis Riel was born in the Red River Settlement, which is now Winnipeg today, in 1884. He was one of eleven children in a well respected Metis family. He was a bright student with a promising future, that excelled academically. Soon after he finished school, he was sent to Montreal where he trained for the priesthood, though he never did graduate. Soon after, he endured a brief stint as a lawyer. After his father

Riel’s leadership in the agitation, especially his decision to execute Canadian Thomas Scott, did not settle well with the Catholic settlements in Ontario. Shortly after, he was chosen to represent Canada in the House of Commons, but did not take his seat. Because of his role in the death of Scott, he was exiled from Canada. These years in exile included two stays in Quebec Asylums, and the belief in Riel that he had a religious mission to lead the Metis peoples of Canada. During his absence from Canada he worked in Montana at a Jesuit mission, Louis was asked by a delegation from the Metis community from the South branch of Saskatchewan river to present their resentment to the Government of Canada. Despite all that Riel did, it was not enough for the Canadian Government, as they ignored the Metis’ concerns. By March 1885, Metis patience was disabled, and a provisional government was declared. Riel was the spiritual and political head of the short lived rebellion in 1885. He never carried weapons of hindered the work of his military lead, Gabriel Dumont. Riel was influenced by his own belief that it was his duty to lead the Metis people. Shortly after, on May 19, Riel surrendered to