Riel, Louis

Louis Riel (1844-1885) was a Métis leader, politician, and teacher. He led the Red River Resistance (or Red River Rebellion) in 1869 and the North West Resistance (or North West Rebellion) in 1885. In 1885, Riel was convicted of treason and executed. Since then his contributions to the development of the Métis Nation, the founding of Manitoba, and Canadian Confederation have been recognized. In 1992, Riel was recognized by Parliament as the founder of Manitoba., The North West Resistance (or North West Rebellion) was an uprising in what is now Saskatchewan and Alberta. It began in 1884, when Louis Riel returned to Canada to advocate for the rights of the Métis of Saskatchewan and formed a provisional government. Riel led an armed insurgency, fought mainly by Métis and some First Nations allies. It ended with their defeat by federal troops at the Battle of Batoche on May 9, 1885.

For part 1 and 2 of the Riel file, see e011354890 and e011354891.