Louis RielLouis Riel

This powerpoint presentation created Jan/09, This powerpoint presentation created Jan/09, by Wendy Hildebrand, Social Studies CST.by Wendy Hildebrand, Social Studies CST.

Thanks especially to Greg Pruden, MECY Thanks especially to Greg Pruden, MECY Aboriginal Perspectives Consultant.Aboriginal Perspectives Consultant.

Website mainly used: Website mainly used: http://www.canadiana.org/citm/themes/aborigihttp://www.canadiana.org/citm/themes/aboriginals/aboriginals5_e.htmlnals/aboriginals5_e.html

Read from Read from Louis RielLouis Riel, by Rosemary Neering, by Rosemary Neering Used clip from DVD—”St. Laurent”Used clip from DVD—”St. Laurent”

WHO WAS WHO WAS LOUIS RIEL?LOUIS RIEL?

WAS HE…WAS HE…

Famous Famous Manitoban?Manitoban?

Father of the Father of the Metis Nation? Metis Nation?

Saint?Saint?

Traitor?Traitor? Power-hungry Power-hungry

prophet?prophet? Madman?Madman? Sinner?Sinner?

LOUIS RIEL DAY, FEBRUARY LOUIS RIEL DAY, FEBRUARY 2008 2008

LOUIS RIEL DAY, FEBRUARY LOUIS RIEL DAY, FEBRUARY 20082008

LOUIS RIEL DAY, FEBRUARY LOUIS RIEL DAY, FEBRUARY 20082008

HIS CHILDHOODHIS CHILDHOOD

Born 1844, in St. Boniface, the Red River Born 1844, in St. Boniface, the Red River colony, under HBC rule.colony, under HBC rule.

Parents—Louis Riel and Julie Lagimodiere, Parents—Louis Riel and Julie Lagimodiere, strong Catholic familystrong Catholic family

Proud to be Metis—ancestors were French, Proud to be Metis—ancestors were French, English, Scottish fathers and First Nations English, Scottish fathers and First Nations mothersmothers

Heritage of buffalo hunting and tradingHeritage of buffalo hunting and trading

Louis Riel,Louis Riel,

age 14, 1858age 14, 1858

HIS YOUTHHIS YOUTH

Schooling under Bishop Tache until age 13Schooling under Bishop Tache until age 13 Trip by ox-cart, ferry and train to QuebecTrip by ox-cart, ferry and train to Quebec Studied seven years at the College of Montreal Studied seven years at the College of Montreal

to become a priestto become a priest But then worked in a law officeBut then worked in a law office Became a great debater Became a great debater Learned about politicsLearned about politics Returned to the Red River areaReturned to the Red River area

HBC LANDHBC LAND

BACK HOMEBACK HOME His father's death in 1864 plunged him into a deep depression. His father's death in 1864 plunged him into a deep depression. In 1868 at age 24 he returned to Red River to help his In 1868 at age 24 he returned to Red River to help his

widowed mother and to accomplish something with his life.widowed mother and to accomplish something with his life. The Federal government was trying to annex the North West The Federal government was trying to annex the North West

to prevent Americans from taking it over. to prevent Americans from taking it over. The buffalo had disappeared, and crops were terrible. Settlers The buffalo had disappeared, and crops were terrible. Settlers

were moving in from Ontario. were moving in from Ontario. The Metis and their country born cousins numbered 5,750 and The Metis and their country born cousins numbered 5,750 and

4,000 respectively vs 1,600 whites and perhaps 700 natives 4,000 respectively vs 1,600 whites and perhaps 700 natives rounded out the population in Red River. rounded out the population in Red River.

The Hudson Bay political control was collapsing.The Hudson Bay political control was collapsing. They were willing to sell their land to Canada.They were willing to sell their land to Canada.

Louis Riel –Provisional GovernmentLouis Riel –Provisional Government

Riel: Father of the MetisRiel: Father of the Metis

The land already occupied would not be taken The land already occupied would not be taken from the Métis, and a large section of land was from the Métis, and a large section of land was reserved for them.reserved for them.

There was a provision for religious schools. There was a provision for religious schools. French was to be a language of debate.French was to be a language of debate.

RIEL: Father of ManitobaRIEL: Father of Manitoba

Manitoba became a PROVINCE on May 12, Manitoba became a PROVINCE on May 12, 1870. 1870.

Not just part of the North-West Territories.Not just part of the North-West Territories. Elected assembly.Elected assembly. Representation in the Canadian Parliament in Representation in the Canadian Parliament in

Ottawa.Ottawa.

RIEL: From 1870 to 1885RIEL: From 1870 to 1885

Escaped to the US.Escaped to the US. Riel was elected MP for Manitoba, but Riel was elected MP for Manitoba, but

couldn’t safely go to Ottawa.couldn’t safely go to Ottawa. Mostly lived in exile in Montana.Mostly lived in exile in Montana. Here he was a teacher and got married.Here he was a teacher and got married. Louis Riel's mental state deteriorated, affecting Louis Riel's mental state deteriorated, affecting

his leadership and decisions.his leadership and decisions.

On the Prairies:1870 - 1885 On the Prairies:1870 - 1885

Buffalo were dying out across the prairies.Buffalo were dying out across the prairies. Metis and First Nations peoples were enduring hard Metis and First Nations peoples were enduring hard

times – famine and disease caused many deaths.times – famine and disease caused many deaths. Canadian government promises of land, farm Canadian government promises of land, farm

equipment, and medical supplies often not kept.equipment, and medical supplies often not kept. The North-West Mounted Police had become a well-The North-West Mounted Police had become a well-

established presence in the West by the 1880s.established presence in the West by the 1880s. The Canadian Pacific Railway - which could quickly The Canadian Pacific Railway - which could quickly

bring in new military supplies and fresh personnel, if bring in new military supplies and fresh personnel, if needed - was almost complete.needed - was almost complete.

The North-West RebellionThe North-West Rebellion

Riel was asked for help, by the Metis.Riel was asked for help, by the Metis. The area is now northern Saskatchewan.The area is now northern Saskatchewan. Several battles fought.Several battles fought. Battle of Batoche—the Metis were defeated Battle of Batoche—the Metis were defeated

and Louis Riel captured.and Louis Riel captured. He was hung for treason in Regina in 1885.He was hung for treason in Regina in 1885.