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Louis Riel October 22, 1844 – November 16, 1885. Grade 11 .
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Canada’s First Prime Minister John A. Macdonald’s “National Policy” sought to grow Canada through tariffs on U.S goods, the CPR railway through the West tying Canada sea to sea and to promote immigrants settling “empty lands” on the Prairies (where the buffalo AND Native/Metis buffalo hunters lived). Thus, he would become Louis Riel’s nemesis.
Gabriel Dumont: Riel’s top soldier
The realization of Macdonald’s dream Donald Smith driving the CPR’s “LAST SPIKE” in Craigellacchie, B.C., 1885. after 15 years of hard work and many navvies dying at work on the project.
Background Info. • He was born in 1844. • He was his parents first child. • His Mother was French, and his father was Métis. • He grew up with the Métis.
Hero Or Traitor. Louis was a Hero to many. Many think we just choose Hero because it is easier, but many have reasons. • He stood up for what he believed in. • He stood up for his people. • He led two resistance movements against the Canadian government. • He was named the “Father of Manitoba”, for never giving up. • He was arrested, executed, but he still hung on and fought the whole way.
Canadian Government. From the view of the Government: • He rebelled against the laws. • He did not respect the rules. • He was doing something pointless. • He would get nowhere. • He was crazy to think he could defeat the government. • He thought God was telling him to fight (like Joan of Arc) • He led others into following him to not follow the laws. • He was a traitor, according to the Macdonald govt.!
Red River Rebellion 1870 • Louis Riel played a big part in the Red River Rebellion, leading them against the laws. • The HBC company gave their land to Canada, because it wanted to expand. • The rebellions fought the government of Canada. • The rebellions tried to preserve their culture. • The rebellions fought for their land. • The first rebellion led to the creation of Manitoba as the fifth province and Riel fled to the U.S.
Northwest Rebellion 1885 • Saskatchewan 1885 • Riel returend from U.S. Exile to lead this • Native Leaders Big Bear and Poundmaker • Battles of Duck Lake and Batoche • Ended when newly formed Mounties used Gatling Guns to crush the uprising. They got to the West from Ottawa fast because Parliament allowed Macdonald the funding to finish the CPR to get troops out west quickly • Riel charged with Treason, Found guilty and hanged • Catholic v Protestant, French v English, Native v European
What is a Hero ? • Someone with respect. • Someone who can lead. • Someone who has confidence. • Someone who has dreams. • Someone who does something great. • Someone who thinks the unthinkable.
In the End… • Louis Riel was charged for Treason. • He was hanged in St. Mary’s church in Regina. • His legend still carries on to all. • He was known for being the great leader of the Métis and fighting for their rights. • He died at the age 41.
Famous Manitoban? Father of the Metis Nation? Saint? Traitor? Power-hungry prophet? Madman? Sinner? WAS HE…
HIS CHILDHOOD • Born 1844, in St. Boniface, the Red River colony, under HBC rule. • Parents—Louis Riel and Julie Lagimodiere, strong Catholic family • Proud to be Metis—ancestors were French, English, Scottish fathers and First Nations mothers • Heritage of buffalo hunting and trading
Louis Riel, age 14, 1858
HIS YOUTH • Schooling under Bishop Tache until age 13 • Trip by ox-cart, ferry and train to Quebec • Studied seven years at the College of Montreal to become a priest • But then worked in a law office • Became a great debater • Learned about politics • Returned to the Red River area
BACK HOME • His father's death in 1864 plunged him into a deep depression. • In 1868 at age 24 he returned to Red River to help his widowed mother and to accomplish something with his life. • The Federal government was trying to annex the North West to prevent Americans from taking it over. • The buffalo had disappeared, and crops were terrible. Settlers were moving in from Ontario. • The Metis and their country born cousins numbered 5,750 and 4,000 respectively vs 1,600 whites and perhaps 700 natives rounded out the population in Red River. • The Hudson Bay political control was collapsing. • They were willing to sell their land to Canada.
Riel: Father of the Metis • The land already occupied would not be taken from the Métis, and a large section of land was reserved for them. • There was a provision for religious schools. • French was to be a language of debate.
RIEL: Father of Manitoba • Manitoba became a PROVINCE on May 12, 1870. • Not just part of the North-West Territories. • Elected assembly. • Representation in the Canadian Parliament in Ottawa.
RIEL: From 1870 to 1885 • Escaped to the US. • Riel was elected MP for Manitoba, but couldn’t safely go to Ottawa. • Mostly lived in exile in Montana. • Here he was a teacher and got married. • Louis Riel's mental state deteriorated, affecting his leadership and decisions.
On the Prairies:1870 - 1885 • Buffalo were dying out across the prairies. • Metis and First Nations peoples were enduring hard times – famine and disease caused many deaths. • Canadian government promises of land, farm equipment, and medical supplies often not kept. • The North-West Mounted Police had become a well-established presence in the West by the 1880s. • The Canadian Pacific Railway - which could quickly bring in new military supplies and fresh personnel, if needed - was almost complete.
The North-West Rebellion • Riel was asked for help, by the Metis. • The area is now northern Saskatchewan. • Several battles fought. • Battle of Batoche—the Metis were defeated and Louis Riel captured. • He was hanged for treason in Regina in 1885.
Louis Riel • This powerpoint presentation created Jan/09, by Wendy Hildebrand, Social Studies CST. • Thanks especially to Greg Pruden, MECY Aboriginal Perspectives Consultant. • Website mainly used: http://www.canadiana.org/citm/themes/aboriginals/aboriginals5_e.html • Read from Louis Riel, by Rosemary Neering • Used clip from DVD—”St. Laurent”
Famous Manitoban? Father of the Metis Nation? Saint? Traitor? Power-hungry prophet? Madman? Sinner? WAS HE…
HIS CHILDHOOD • Born 1844, in St. Boniface, the Red River colony, under HBC rule. • Parents—Louis Riel and Julie Lagimodiere, strong Catholic family • Proud to be Metis—ancestors were French, English, Scottish fathers and First Nations mothers • Heritage of buffalo hunting and trading
Louis Riel, age 14, 1858