Louis Riel, Hero or Villain?

There is a hero and villain in every story ever told, and the making of
Canadas history is no exception to that. In the late 18 th and into the 19th century
was the time for this crucial plot in Canadas story. Most importantly was in 1844,
when the most controversial national hero was born, Louis Riel. Forty one years
later, the most consequential figure in the development of Metis rights was hanged
on November 16. Hanged for treason of all things, but was such a man truly a
villain? Many historic philosophers and citizens of Canada would beg to differ with
the idea of Riel being anything less than a super hero. Admittedly, Louis David Riel
wasnt with super powers of heat vision or the power to soar across the skies, but
he was born with his own powers of a sort, even if he didnt wear tights or a cape.

On the twenty second of October in 1844, Louis Riel was brought into a wellrespected family. Riel would grow up being the eldest child of his other ten siblings.
Riels parents raised him and his siblings in catholic family with strong ties to their
heritage and extended family. A few years later as their family grew, Louis Riels
father, Louis Riel Senior, would organize a group to free an imprisoned Metis who
had rebelled against HBCs trade. It is obvious his father influenced him and inspired
the young Metis to build his future legendary movements of improving and fighting
for Metis rights. Louis Riel had grown up with the importance of education around
him, so it was fit that at the young age of just thirteen he was praised for his
brilliance. The fact being was that Louis Riel was intelligent and passionate about
his studies, so much so that he was even brought into consideration by Alexandre
Tach. The Suffragan Bishop of St. Boniface had recognised the young Metis
intelligence and eagerly wished to promote priesthood for Riel. The Suffragan
Bishop in a few years had organized for Louis to attend the College of De Montral
to further his studies in priesthood. Alas, sadly after his fathers untimely death,
Louis decided to halt his path to priesthood and left the school in 1865. His fathers
passing only strengthening the familys strong bonds and the immense strength of
Louis heritage. This would be a reminder to Riel throughout his rebellious
movements why the cause was and is so important even to this day. Could such a
man truly be labelled as a villain?

Every hero has made one action or another that would cause them to be seen
as a villain by others, Riel is an example of that. Some of the things and acts that
took place under Riels power and hand may have caused people to mistakenly
identify him as a villain. To some, Louis Riel may have been seen as anything but a
super hero, even considered a villain, because of his motives and initiations against
the government. Riel was the leader of two major rebellions. The first and most

prominent being the Red River Rebellion, it had occurred in 1869. Despite the fact
that there was a need for the rebellion because the Mtis had finally had enough of
being taken advantage. Some even considered the rebellions fault to be on the
Metis. When really the land that the Metis resided on and farmed, Ruperts Land, was
actually sold and purchased without any consultations with the residents of the
land. As a result of this, the Mtis called for Riel. Riel was the prominent leader of
the Mtis in the prairies during that time. After countless unsuccessful attempted
conferences and consultations, Riel began the rebellion at Fort Garry. Riel had also
created a provisional government in the area, attempting to negotiate with the
Canadian government to come to peaceful terms. Never the less, the portrayal of
Riel being a villain was only heightened with the fact that he had executed a man
who went against his provisional government. The Orange Lodge member, Thomas
Scott, was executed by a firing squad in a courtyard residing in Fort Garry.
Unfortunately, information falsely passed by others about Scotts execution resulted
in Riel being considered a criminal and ultimately wanted for arrest. Unfortunately,
this particular event further brought the government to believing Riel was a national
villain.

During Riel's time though, Riel unfortunately would not have been seen as a
powerful and influential man in Canada. Discrimination because of the cultural wars
between the French and the English were at an all-time high, the two nationalities
constantly in disagreement and argument. The French were often mistreated and
their rights ignored their language and religion constantly struggling with the
unacceptance of their culture. Most common white Protestants did not like Louis
Riel, the reasons being that Louis Riel was a Catholic French-Canadian. Of course,
the social classes of racism and countless discriminations would not regard Riel as
a person equal to them not to mention of importance. However, Louis Riel with the
hope of bringing notice to his cause, the Metiss rights, eventually did earn the
attention of nearby groups. However, that attention Riel gained was not always
positive obviously, especially that from the government. The government regarded
Louis Riel as a threat because of his rebellions, even if he was pushed by the
discriminations against him to do so.

Louis Riel was not just responsible for his two most infamous acts of rebellion
but also the formation of one of Canadas provinces, what we know as Manitoba
today. During the Red River rebellion, as previously mentioned, Riel formed a
provisional government. In the time of his provisional government, Riel and fellow
Metis leaders wrote the List of Rights to improve the Metis basic rights. Regrettably,
the governments reply to the Metis was to use the List of Rights as the base of The
Manitoba Act. Ultimately, The Manitoba Act was somewhat unsatisfying to the Metis
original proposal. The government however did agree to 1,400,000 acres of the Red

River Colony becoming the province of Manitoba as well as making French and
English the two official languages. The province was also to have two education
systems of religion, both Protestant and Roman Catholic. So although the Metis were
not given everything first inquired in the List of rights, The Manitoba Act made sure
the province had a responsible government, guarantee of land and property, and
fair standings for the natives and Metis.

In the short forty one years Riel spent on this earth, he influenced and
changed Canada for the better. Even when others did everything they could to stop
him, Riel held his head strong as he lead his family and friends to the start of
equality. Little did Riel know, that his life would spark the fire inside Canada, that he
would be the inspiration to others to fight for their own rights and equality, creating
Canada to be what it is today. Surely one of Canadas greatest mistakes was their
misjudgement of him and the Metis. A man with genuine passion, strong beliefs in
justice for all and sacrificing everything for his cause, should not have his name
even associated with the word villain. For Louis Riel was truly anything but, he was
Canadas super hero without a cape. Riel not only lived for his beliefs, he also died
for them.