Louis Riel

Louis "David" Riel (October 22, 1844 – November 16, 1885), was a Canadian politician and leader of the M?tis people of the Canadian prairies. He led two resistance movements against the Canadian government that sought to preserve M?tis rights and culture as their homelands in the Northwest Territories came progressively under the Canadian sphere of influence.

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The first such resistance was the Red River Rebellion of 1869–1870. The provisional government established by Riel ultimately negotiated the terms under which the modern province of Manitoba entered the Canadian Confederation. Riel was forced into exile in the United States as a result of the controversial execution of Thomas Scott during the rebellion. Despite this, he is frequently referred to as the "Father of Manitoba." While a fugitive, he was elected three times to the Canadian House of Commons, although he never assumed his seat. During these years, he suffered from bouts of mental illness, including the delusion that he was a divinely chosen leader and prophet. This conviction later resurfaced and influenced his later actions. He married in 1881 while in exile in Montana, and fathered three children.

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In 1884, Riel returned to what is now the province of Saskatchewan to represent M?tis grievances to the Canadian government. This resistance escalated into a military confrontation known as the North-West Rebellion of 1885. It ended in his arrest, trial, and eventual execution for treason. Riel was viewed sympathetically in francophone regions of Canada, and his execution had a lasting influence on relations between the province of Quebec and English-speaking Canada. Whether seen as a Father of Confederation or a traitor, he remains one of the most complex, controversial, and ultimately tragic figures in the history of Canada.

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October 22: October 22 is the 295th day of the year (296th in leap years) in the Gregorian Calendar, with 70 days remaining....

1844: 1844 was a leap year starting on Monday (see link for calendar)....

1885: 1885 is a common year starting on Thursday....

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