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Louis Riel: The Rebel and the Hero
The rise and fall of Louis Riel (1844-85) spanned only fifteen years, yet he is one of the most controversial and colourful people in Canadian history. The central figure in two rebellions, which he led on behalf of the French-speaking half-breeds called Metis, Riel has caught the imagination
of Canadians as few other historical personalities have done.
His career began with the acts of resistance at the Red River Settlement in 1869, and continued through the formation of a Provisional Government and the notorious shooting of Thomas Scott in 1870, through years of mental illness and exile in the United States, to the North West Rebellion of 1885.
It reached an inevitable climax with his surrender and trial and the passionate outpouring of feeling that rocked the country when he was found guilty of treason and executed. The religious and racial emotions of the time, the bigotry and opportunism of politicians, and Riel's own unstable mental
condition all combine to make of his life a Canadian tragedy, one that had profound consequences for Confederation.
of Canadians as few other historical personalities have done.
His career began with the acts of resistance at the Red River Settlement in 1869, and continued through the formation of a Provisional Government and the notorious shooting of Thomas Scott in 1870, through years of mental illness and exile in the United States, to the North West Rebellion of 1885.
It reached an inevitable climax with his surrender and trial and the passionate outpouring of feeling that rocked the country when he was found guilty of treason and executed. The religious and racial emotions of the time, the bigotry and opportunism of politicians, and Riel's own unstable mental
condition all combine to make of his life a Canadian tragedy, one that had profound consequences for Confederation.
- GenresIndigenousHistory
164 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 1971
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Displaying 1 - 2 of 2 reviews
March 30, 2018
Louis Riel (1844 -1885) is an icon of Canadian history – a rebellious leader of his Metis people. The Metis are of mixed ancestry – the offspring of Indian(Cree, Ojibway, Dene, Dakota) and French Canadian or English fur trappers who went to Manitoba and Saskatchewan (at that time known as Northwest Canada).
French was the first language of Louis Riel, but he was also proficient in English. He was tried for treason and executed by the Canadian government in 1885 in Regina, Saskatchewan. His body was brought back to Winnipeg where he was buried. Louis Riel had attempted over many years to establish the rights of the Metis people in Manitoba – and many fled to Saskatchewan. It became, over the years, an armed rebellion which is how the Canadian government came to see it as treasonable. There were many English speaking settlers (farmers) migrating to Western Canada and they experienced Riel’s impassioned leadership as a dire threat. There was violence and killing on both sides.
The author narrates the life of Louis Riel. He travelled a great deal. He was forced in the 1860’s to leave Manitoba and lived in exile for several years in New York State, Montreal/Quebec, and then he went to Montana. When the rebellion started again in Saskatchewan he returned to become the leader.
The book illustrates well the historical dichotomy of Canada (English/Protestant/Ontario and French/Catholic/Quebec). Louis Riel, being of French and Indian ancestry and Catholic, was vilified and hated in English Canada , more so after the killing of an English soldier (which is why Louis Riel fled Manitoba). In French Catholic Canada he was seen as an underdog hero protecting his people and religion, and for this persecuted by the English. The Canadian Government in Ottawa under Prime Minister John A. MacDonald was in a very tight bind between these two polarized groups. At this stage Canada as a country was less than twenty years old. The situation was critical.The English were riled up and wanted a hanging, the French saw Louis Riel as a savior.
This is a highly interesting episode in Canada’s history, which tends to be filled with less eventful topics like negotiations over federal/provincial rights.
This book is out of print, I got it at a used book sale. What the author fails to point out is that this was also a struggle between a nomadic hunting society (Indian and Metis) and a farming, settlement, and industrial society, which was using the railroad for the movement of troops and settlers. In all these historical conditions the nomadic culture loses and is radically transformed. I found the authors’ constant use of the term “half-breed” referring to the Metis offensive. The book was written in 1971.
French was the first language of Louis Riel, but he was also proficient in English. He was tried for treason and executed by the Canadian government in 1885 in Regina, Saskatchewan. His body was brought back to Winnipeg where he was buried. Louis Riel had attempted over many years to establish the rights of the Metis people in Manitoba – and many fled to Saskatchewan. It became, over the years, an armed rebellion which is how the Canadian government came to see it as treasonable. There were many English speaking settlers (farmers) migrating to Western Canada and they experienced Riel’s impassioned leadership as a dire threat. There was violence and killing on both sides.
The author narrates the life of Louis Riel. He travelled a great deal. He was forced in the 1860’s to leave Manitoba and lived in exile for several years in New York State, Montreal/Quebec, and then he went to Montana. When the rebellion started again in Saskatchewan he returned to become the leader.
The book illustrates well the historical dichotomy of Canada (English/Protestant/Ontario and French/Catholic/Quebec). Louis Riel, being of French and Indian ancestry and Catholic, was vilified and hated in English Canada , more so after the killing of an English soldier (which is why Louis Riel fled Manitoba). In French Catholic Canada he was seen as an underdog hero protecting his people and religion, and for this persecuted by the English. The Canadian Government in Ottawa under Prime Minister John A. MacDonald was in a very tight bind between these two polarized groups. At this stage Canada as a country was less than twenty years old. The situation was critical.The English were riled up and wanted a hanging, the French saw Louis Riel as a savior.
This is a highly interesting episode in Canada’s history, which tends to be filled with less eventful topics like negotiations over federal/provincial rights.
This book is out of print, I got it at a used book sale. What the author fails to point out is that this was also a struggle between a nomadic hunting society (Indian and Metis) and a farming, settlement, and industrial society, which was using the railroad for the movement of troops and settlers. In all these historical conditions the nomadic culture loses and is radically transformed. I found the authors’ constant use of the term “half-breed” referring to the Metis offensive. The book was written in 1971.
November 22, 2011
A university text about a fascinating Canadian historical figure.
Displaying 1 - 2 of 2 reviews