Thomas Lai

Ms. Beaton
SS 10 H
13 May 2016
Louis Riel as a Hero
Many historians viewed the Metis spokesman, Louis Riel, as a Canadian hero, while
others might classify him, on the other extreme, as a traitor. In modern Canada, Riel was well
celebrated in all sort of forms, whereas the controversies existed mainly in the past. These
controversial debates revolved around Riels actions and involvements in the Red River
Resistance, and the Northwest Resistance. During Riels life, he possessed leadership qualities,
which include intelligence, charisma, and eagerness. Riels motives were selfless; he based his
actions and decisions on the well-being of his people. In addition, Riels actions were wellcelebrated. Louis Riel was a notable historical character; he was born, has acted, and was
celebrated, as a hero.
Since the early stages of his life, Riel had been well-educated, proactive, and a natural
leader. After studying for nine years at St. Boniface College and the College of Montreal, he had
become well educated, ambitious, bilingual, young and energetic, [and] eloquent, when he
returned to the Red River Settlement. Upon Riels arrival, he realized the need for a wellrounded government in place of the Council of Assiniboine. Furthermore, potential threats from
Canadian land speculators was also an issue. Therefore, Riel took the initiative for solving these
problems by setting up a provisional government, which later on asserted the rights of the Metis
by creating the Metis Bill of Rights. Riel had the charisma and the strong voice needed to unite

his people, which not many had possessed. From Riels education, to his leadership qualities,
Riel had demonstrated potential since the beginning stages of his life.
Above Riels outstanding leadership qualities was his dignity. His motives were selfless;
he was willing to sacrifice his career and his life for his people. In 1884, Riel gave up his stable
occupation as a school teacher at St. Peters Mission on the Sun River, in Missouri, upon the
request from Gabriel Dumont, the Metis, and the First Nations in the Northwest, to join the
Northwest Resistance. This alone was a heroic move. After the last battle at Batoche, Dumont
fled to the United States; [yet] on 15 May Riel chose to surrender to the scouts of the
NWMP. His motive was to defend the other captured Metis in court, and to once again assert
the grievances of the Metis. The risk was high, yet Riel chose his people over himself. At the
end, he did not succeed and was charged with a death sentence. However, he had revealed
himself to be altruistic and heroic from his actions.
After the death of Louis Riel, the Quebecois, the Metis in Manitoba and the Northwest
mourned for him. Up until today, Riels heroic acts were celebrated and commemorated in forms
of art, statues, and holidays. Films, documentaries, plays, musicals, graphic novels, and poems
were created to highlight Riels achievements. In addition, two statues were constructed for Riel,
one at the Legislative Building of Manitoba, and one at St. Boniface College. Since 2008, every
third Monday of February had been Louis Riel Day in Manitoba. This year on Louis Riel Day,
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau acknowledged and agreed that, Louis Riel made important
sacrifices to defend the rights, the freedoms, and the culture of the Mtis people. The ideals that
Louis Riel fought for ideals of inclusiveness and equality are now the very same values on
which we base our countrys identity. Evidently, Riels work and achievements were well
looked upon by modern Canadians.

Throughout his life, Louis Riel remained a noble character, and his legacies were still
passed on today. From the sacrifices he made for the movements of human rights, to his
characteristics of a natural leader, Riel deserved the recognition and celebration by the Metis, the
First Nations, and the French Canadians. Despite the fact that historians could have different
opinions on whether Louis Riel was a hero or a traitor, most importantly, to Riels people, Riel
had always been, and still is, a hero.

Works Cited
Thomas, Lewis H. "Biography RIEL, LOUIS (1844-85) Volume XI (1881-1890) Dictionary of
Canadian Biography." Biography RIEL, LOUIS (1844-85) Volume XI (1881-1890)
Dictionary of Canadian Biography. University of Toronto/Universit Laval, 1982. Web. 15
May 2016.
Canada. Parliament. STATEMENT BY THE PRIME MINISTER OF CANADA ON LOUIS RIEL DAY.
By Justin Trudeau. N.p., 15 Feb. 2016. Web. 15 May 2016.