Riel, Louis (redirected from riel)

Riel, Louis (lwē rēĕl`), 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.

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Riel, Louis

(born Oct. 23, 1844, St. Boniface, Assiniboia, Can.—died Nov. 16, 1885, Regina, District of Assinibois, Can.) Canadian leader of the Métis people in western Canada. In 1869 Riel headed a revolt against Canadian expansion in the west that resulted in the establishment of the province of Manitoba (1870). Intermittent hostilities continued for several years thereafter, and Riel was officially outlawed. In 1885 he led a Métis uprising in Saskatchewan that was crushed by the Canadians. Riel was found guilty of treason and hanged. His death led to ethnic conflicts in Quebec and Ontario and marked the beginning of the nationalist movement.