The following article is from The Great Soviet Encyclopedia (1979). It might be outdated or ideologically biased.

Riel, Louis

Born Oct. 23, 1844, in St. Boniface; died Nov. 16, 1885, in Regina. A figure in the Canadian national democratic movement.

In October 1869, Riel led an uprising in the Red River valley and became secretary of the National Committee of Métis, which directed the struggle of farmers against encroachments on their lands by the federal authorities. In December 1869 the rebelling farmers elected Riel president of the provisional government. In August 1870 a punitive expedition suppressed the rebellion. Riel emigrated to the USA.

The people of the province of Manitoba, which had come into being in 1870 as a result of the uprising, elected Riel to the Canadian parliament three times between 1873 and 1874, but he was not permitted to take his seat. In March 1885, Riel headed an uprising of métis settlers and Indians in the Saskatchewan River valley against the railroad companies and representatives of the federal authorities. In July 1885 the rebellion was suppressed, and Riel was hanged in accordance with a court sentence.

O. S. SOROKO

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References in periodicals archive

There has been a move by some members of the federal government to pardon Louis Riel and rehabilitate his historical legacy from that of executed traitor to mistreated father of confederation.

Should Canada pardon Riel, or should the Metis pardon Canada?

Certainly, in the last 50 years, Louis Riel himself has come to have a different cultural significance: he has, in fact, been claimed by everyone--even by the government that hanged him for treason--as the visionary advocate of social welfare and multiculturalism.

Identity crisis: in some respects, Louis Riel may seem the most unlikely hero to celebrate Canada, but the very ambiguities of his story may make him perfect for the role

Louis Riel as a revolutionary and as Canada's most celebrated 'traitor' has been a highly contested subject of debate since Riel's trial, the Red River uprising of 1869-70 and the Northwest Rebellion of 1885.

Louis Riel and the Creation of Modern Canada

Louis Riel and many members of his provisional government left the area for fear of a violent retaliation for Thomas Scott's death.

The story of Elzear Goulet

In response, the Metis, led by Louis Riel, stopped government surveyors and formed a provisional government.

Brave, brilliant & buried at Batoche

Somers's operas include: The Fool (1953), The Homeless Ones (1955), Louis Riel (1967), Death of Enkidu: Part 7 (1977), A Midwinter Night's Dream (1988), Serinette (1990), Mario and the Magician (1992).

Harry Somers on the score

Louis Riel: The Heretic Poems By Gregory Scofield Published by Nightwood Editions

Riel, the icon, humanized through poetry

The Legislative Assembly of Assiniboia sat from 9 March 1870 to 24 June 1870 with Louis Riel as its president and a council with councillors representing the French and English communities equally.

Cool things in the collection: Sessional Journal of the Legislative Assembly of Assiniboia, 1870

After lengthy, negotiations with the federal government showed no progress in improving the situation, Metis leader Louis Riel established a provisional government at Batoche, and the infamous Northwest Rebellion was begun.

Festival celebrates Metis culture, place in history. (All My Relations)