Louis Riel

Louis Riel , 1844-85, Canadian insurgent, leader of two rebellions, b. Manitoba, of French and métis parentage. In 1869-70 he led the rebels of the Red River settlements, mainly métis and indigenous peoples, who felt that their rights were threatened by the transfer (1869) of the Hudson's Bay Company territory to Canada. When the government dispatched (1870) troops to face the rebels, the Red River Rebellion collapsed, and Riel fled the country. In that year, under the Manitoba Act, the Red River settlements were accorded a provincial government. Riel returned to Canada and was elected to the House of Commons, but was expelled (1874) and declared an outlaw (1875). In 1884 he returned to lead a group of indigenous people and métis who were bent on securing titles to their lands in Saskatchewan. The uprising ended with an engagement (1885) at Batoche. He was captured, tried for treason, and hanged.

Riel, Louis (1844–85) French-Canadian revolutionary, leader of the métis (people of mixed French and native descent) in the Red River rebellion in Manitoba (1869–70). When it collapsed, Riel fled to the USA. In 1884, he led resistance to Canada's western policies in Saskatchewan and set up a rebel government in 1885. He was captured and executed for treason.