Louis Riel, champion
of civil rights or traitor to the newly formed nation of Canada? The
question still sparks debate when discussed over 150 years later. How
is it that one man could be revered by some and burned in effigy by
others?
It may be difficult
to understand, however there are certain aspects of the Riel story that
will give you some insight into the situation that first started in
1844 with the Red River Rebellion.
First question
you must ask yourself is who was Louis Riel? In 1844, Louis Riel was
born in the Red River region, which is now known as Manitoba. From the
beginning Louis would have a challenging life due to his mixed lineage
of French and Native Indian blood. The Métis community had the challenge
of speaking French in a province where English speaking people and French
speaking people were often at odds with one another. To make matters
worse, there wasn’t an acceptance of the Métis by the Native communities
due to the French component.
Despite odds,
Louis was born to an affluent family and received a good education.
Early on his parents recognised Louis’ intelligence and determined it
would be best for Louis to go to Montreal to study at the seminary.
Louis received a strong moral and academic education. Sadly, Louis did
not end up becoming a priest.
The next educational
venture Louis would undertake was to enter into the field of Law. Though
he studied Louis did not become a lawyer, but in the process he developed
extensive skills in rhetoric and became known as a well-educated man,
especially within the Métis community. His understanding of the law
would prove beneficial for the movement to maintain Francophone rights,
and soon Louis Riel would be proclaimed the leader of the oppressed.
A bilingual, well-educated man, Louis became a brilliant orator and
was able to easily sway others to believing in his cause.
Louis Riel was
elected as a representative on three separate occasions, but he was
never able to successfully take his seat within the House. Always blocked
from taking his rightful seat in the House of Commons, it soon became
apparent that civility was not going to work and it was time to start
thinking about the alternatives available to ensure success.
Riel was successful
in forming a provisional government, 1869-1870 that led to the implementation
of legislation, which would protect the rights of the Francophone community.
The Manitoba Act created a province and with it, certain rights for
the members of the French population.
Riel would be
seen as a hero, but his methods continued to be on the “rebellious side”
and when he ordered the execution of a Canadian named Thomas Scott.
This execution would enrage feelings of against Catholic and French
sentiment within the province of Ontario. Riel would be forced to leave
the country, in 1875, as a result of his role in Scott’s execution.
Louis would return
to Canada to champion another uprising, at the urging of the Metis community
of Southern Saskatchewan. In 1884, Louis would return to present the
concerns and demands of the Metis population to the Federal Government.
Despite Louis’ attempts at having the concerns of the Metis heard the
discontentment grew at an alarming rate. Frustration would lead to another
uprising by 1885, after a second provisional government was formed.
Riel wanted to maintain a peaceful demonstration, but the military leader
Gabriele Dumont had other ideas.
Believing that
violence was the only solution, Dumont encouraged others to rise up
in arms and force the Federal Government to pay attention to their demands.
The Battle Of Batoche proved to be unsuccessful and on May 15th Louis
Riel turned himself in to the Canadian forces to stand trial for treason.
In Regina Riel
would stand trial for treason for his part in the uprising and would
face a jury comprised of Anglophones. Riel’s defence attorney wanted
him to plead guilty by reason of insanity, however Riel maintained that
he had complete control of his faculties.
The jury was comprised
of 6 Anglo-Protestants, what would have been of certain disadvantage
to Louis having any hope of being found not guilty. Riel’s oratory skills
were such that his speeches moved the jury to find him guilty, but with
the recommendation for sentencing with mercy. August 1, 1885 Judge Hugh
Richardson sentenced Riel to hang as the penalty for committing treason
against Canada.
Appeals were mounted
to save Riel from the hangman’s noose, but all attempts failed to keep
him from being hanged on November 16, 1885. The hanging took place in
Regina, where his trial had been held.
The Francophone
population of Quebec harboured ill feelings against the Anglophone Government
and it is believed that some of the tensions experienced today are still
related to this incident.
Riel, hero or
traitor, it will always be debated and there is no way for anyone to
know the truth of what happened all those years ago, so shortly after
Confederation and creation of a new country. Criminal or not, Riel had
a definite impact on the formation of this country.
