North York Central Library Blog

Statue of Louis Riel as it sits at the Legislative Assembly of Manitoba in Winnipeg.

Louis Riel is one of Canada’s most controversial figures. Celebrated by some; scorned by others. Known infamouly as the leader of the Red River Rebellion, the founder of Manitoba and hanged for treason on November 16, 1885 by the Canadian government.

This December 8^th marks the 142^nd anniversary of the Declaration of the People of Rupert’s Land and the North West – a document written in part by Louis Riel on behalf of Red River settlement. The Declaration called for the creation of a provisional government in response to the Canadian government's preceived unfair dealings with the Hudson Bay Company.

Fort Garry painted by 15 year-old Lionel Macdonald, 1870.

Riel and the Métis who lived in Red River settlement believed that the Hudson Bay’s sale of Rupert’s Land (which contained the Red River Settlement) to the Canadian government without their consent “entitled the people of the Red River settlement to create their own provisional governments” (Canadian Facts and Dates, 263). The citizens of the Red River, largely of Métis origin, felt that they had been cheated by the Hudson Bay Company and the Canadian government and wanted a say in their future.

Prime Minister John A. MacDonald.

From Prime Minister John A. MacDonald’s perspective the rebellion was largely an annoyance – an obstacle in the way to Canada’s consolidation of the west. MacDonald was particularly eager to put down the rebellion as soon as possible since the United States was on aggressive annexation campaign of its own.

There is no shortage of differing historicals prespectives regarding Louis Riel, the Red River Rebellion and John A. MacDonald's and the Canadian government's response. If you’re interested in learning more about this topic have a look at some of the sources listed below.

Toronto's own Chester Brown has written and illustrated a best-selling, award winning, unique and fresh approach to Canadian history is this epic must read comic strip biography of Louis Riel.

Suggested Resources:
Louis Riel: A Comic Strip Biography. Chester Brown. 2003.
Louis Riel. Terry Barber. 2006.
Louis Riel and Gabriel Dumont. Joseph Boyden. 2010.
Louis Riel v. Canada: The Making of a Rebel. J.M. Bumsted. 2001.
The diaries of Louis Riel. Louis Riel. 1976.

Related Links
Rethinking Riel – CBC Digital Archives
Louis Riel – Historica
The Life and Time of Louis Riel – The Globe and Mail
Correcting the record on Louis Riel and separtist coalitions – The Globe and Mail
The Poetry of Louis Riel – WikiSource