NOVEMBER 16:

1885 Regina Saskatchewan - Louis Riel 1844-1885 hanged in Mounted Police barracks in Regina; before dying, he gives exclusive interview to journalist Nicholas Flood Davin, who entered prison disguised as a priest. Just after eight in the morning, the hangman appears in the doorway of his cell; Riel asks, 'Mr. Gibson, you want me? I am ready'; after receiving absolution from the priest, he ascends the scaffold; as he and the priest are reciting the words of the Lord's Prayer, the trap door drops. Riel's body is sent to St-Boniface and interred in the cemetery in front of the Cathedral.

1869 Winnipeg Manitoba - Louis Riel 1844-1885 invites settlers and Metis to meet at Fort Garry to form a provisional government; most reject his proposals 
 

BACKGROUND:
 

From http://library.usask.ca/northwest/background/riel.htm
 

Louis Riel

Louis Riel, a leader of his people in their resistance against the Canadian government in the Canadian Northwest, is perhaps the most controversial figure in Canadian historiography. His life and deeds have spawned a massive and diverse literature.

He was born in the Red River Settlement (in what is now Manitoba) in 1844. A promising student, he was sent to Montreal to train for the priesthood, but he never graduated. An attempt at training as a lawyer ended similarly, and by 1868 Riel was back in the Red River area. Ambitious, well educated and bilingual, Riel quickly emerged as a leader among the Métis of the Red River. In 1869-1870 he headed a provisional government, which would eventually negotiate the Manitoba Act with the Canadian government. The Act established Manitoba as a province and provided some protection for French language rights.

Riel's leadership in the agitation, especially his decision to execute a Canadian named Thomas Scott, enraged anti-Catholic and anti- French sentiment in Ontario. Although chosen for a seat in the House of Commons on three occasions, he was unable to take his seat in the house. In 1875, Riel's role in the death of Scott resulted in his exile from Canada. These years in exile would include stays in two Quebec asylums and the growing belief in Riel that he had a religious mission to lead the Métis people of the Canadian northwest.

In 1884, while teaching in Montana at a Jesuit mission, Riel was asked by a delegation from the community of Métis from the south branch of the Saskatchewan river to present their grievances to the Canadian government. Despite Riel's assistance, the federal government ignored Métis concerns. By March of 1885, Métis patience was exhausted and a provisional government was declared.

Riel was the undisputed spiritual and political head of the short- lived 1885 Rebellion. He never carried arms and hindered the work of his military head, Gabriel Dumont. Riel was increasingly influenced by his belief that he was chosen to lead the Métis people. On May 15, shortly after the fall of Batoche, Riel surrendered to Canadian forces and was taken to Regina to stand trial for treason.

At his trial, Riel gave two long speeches which demonstrated his powerful rhetorical abilities. He personally rejected attempts by his defence counsel to prove he was not guilty by reason of insanity. On 1 August 1885, a jury of six English-speaking Protestants found Riel guilty but recommended mercy. Judge Hugh Richardson sentenced him to death. Attempted appeals were dismissed and a special re-examination of Riel's mental state by government appointed doctors found him sane. He was hanged in Regina on 16 November, 1885. His execution was widely opposed in Quebec and had lasting political ramifications.
 

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>From http://coco.essortment.com/louisriel_rjrv.htm
 

Who is Louis Riel?

Louis Riel is one of the most controversial figures in Canadian History. Almost made it into the priesthood, almost a lawyer, almost a politician. Yet this man was responsible for bringing the Province of Manitoba into the Union of Canada.

Louis Riel was born in 1844 at the Red River Settlement of Canada, now known as Winnipeg, Manitoba. As a young man, he seemed very intelligent and articulate, so he was sent to Montreal, Quebec to study for the priesthood. However, he never finished his studies. The same thing happened when he tried to become a lawyer.

In 1868, at the age of 24, Riel would become a leader of the Metis of his birthplace and in the next two years would go on to head a provisional government. This government would help arrange the Manitoba Act, which would lead to Manitoba becoming a province. Many regard Riel to be the father of Manitoba. Due to its size and shape Manitoba was called the postage stamp province.

In 1821, the two competing fur companies, the Hudson Bay Company and the North West Company, who were major employers of the Metis, merged into one. This led to large unemployment among the Metis who relied heavily on the fur trade. The Hudson Bay Company tried to encourage the Metis to take up farming in the southwestern part of Manitoba, but many of them found this hard to accept, missing the excitement of the hunt.

Eventually, Canada bought out Rupertsland, the land owned by Hudson Bay Company. This frightened the Metis. They were afraid settlers and colonization would erode their way of life and culture. A road from Lake Superior to the Red River Settlement was already under way. They turned to Riel to be their leader.

Also, in 1864, the Quebec Conference, which would lead Canada into Confederation, was being held. This conference wanted the Northwest Territories (which included Manitoba at the time) to be part of the Dominion. Their claim was that the Red River Settlement, which was called Assiniboia at the time, had no representation, even though there was; The Council Of Assiniboia had been created with equal French/English members. Nor was it the first, at one time the area was known as "The Republic Of Manitoba", although this lasted a short time.

The breaking point for the Metis people was when William McDougall was appointed temporary governor of Rupertsland. McDougall was notoriously anti-French. The provisional government led him out of the colony. Three weeks later, with armed Metis, Riel took control of Fort Garry. In 1870, The Canadian Government Army finally defeated Riel. Riel himself escaped by scaling the north wall of Fort Garry and fled to the United States. While in the states he was elected three times as Member of Parliament for Provencher, Manitoba, but was never able to take his seat.

The Riel Rebellion, 1885

In 1884, a group of Metis asked Riel to present their grievances concerning land claims to the Canadian government for them. The government constantly ignored their concerns until finally another provisional government was set up. Several skirmishes were the result. One at Duck Lake, Saskatchewan where police were soundly defeated. Later, Riel's military head, Gabriel Dumont ambushed government troops at Fish Creek, Saskatchewan. In May of 1885, government troops beat the Metis forces in a four day battle at Batoche. Riel surrendered two weeks later and was formally charged with high treason five weeks after that.
 

Written by Darrell Baizley