Louis Riel Hero Or Traitor

Louis Riel (born October 22, 1844) was a Métis leader. He was born in the Red River settlement to a businessman/ political leader, Louis Riel Sr. Louis was a standout student, heading to Sulpician school, on a scholarship, in Montreal at the age of thirteen. He studied there and soon fell in love with Marie-Julie Guernon; they got engaged but the engagement was soon broken after her parents found out that he was a “half-breed”. With a broken heart, and new knowledge he headed back to the Red River Valley. In his time, Louis Riel was the leader of two rebellions, petitioning for equality and change for the Métis people, but there is still debate on whether Louis Riel was a hero or a traitor, because of his actions during the uprisings. Louis Riel, because of the circumstances, was a hero.

Louis Riel wanted these changes, and he protested in the most civilized way, without spewing blood. He created a provisional government of the Red River Valley, The Métis National Committee. He halted (not kill or hurt) land surveyors in the area, and created the “Métis List of Rights” (one of the first civilian rights copy) which included many of the same rights as the rest of Canada, but was seen as radical document. The document also ends up being one of the reasons the province of Manitoba was created. Riel speaking out led to the creation of province, which technically speaking, Riel could be considered a founding father. During the second uprising he began with taking the high route once again, petitioning the “Métis Bill of Rights”. Once again he was ignored. With the government stubbornness Riel was forced to take up arms and start fighting. He tried many time to solve the issue with treaties and bills, but the white people ignored the