Louis Riel was a Métis leader in Manitoba and the Northwest Territories in Canada in the late 1800s. He fought for Métis rights and led the Red River Rebellion and Northwest Rebellion, establishing the short-lived Provisional Government of Manitoba. Riel was eventually found guilty of high treason for his role in the Northwest Rebellion and was hanged in 1885, making him a controversial figure as either a hero or menace in Canadian history.

1. L ouis R iel Hero or Menace?

2. Who Was Louis Riel and What Did He Do… Louis Riel was one of the founders of Manitoba Louis Riel was the Métis leader of the Manitoba and North West rebellion He fought for the rights of the Métis and defended them.

3. Riel; The Early Years Louis Riel was the first child and born on October 22, 1844. He grew up on the East banks of the Red River. After his education he wanted to be a priest and schooled in Montreal until the death of his father. After this his attitude changed and he was no longer religious After this he decided he wanted to become a lawyer.

4. Riel and the Provisional Government A provisional government is a temporary government that is in place until the usual government takes over again. On November 23, Riel proposed a provisional government to replace the Council of Assiniboia On December 23, Louis Riel became the head of the new Provisional Government

5. The Trial of Louis Riel Louis Riel was found guilty on July 21, 1885 of high treason and sentenced to death by hanging Louis Riel’s lawyers tried to get him off on insanity but he discredited his lawyers and told his story He was hung on October 16, 1885 by a man he had been enemies with in the Northwest rebellion

6. Bibliography http://library2.usask.ca/northwest/background/riel.htm http://www.shsb.mb.ca/Riel/indexenglish.htm http://www.law.umkc.edu/faculty/projects/ftrials/riel/rielbio.html