Riel, Louis

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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.

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