Celebrating the Fruits of Rebellion - Happy Louis Riel Day

It's a holiday here in Manitoba, thanks to Louis Riel, the man who stood up to colonization and the Canadian government. He's credited with representing the Metis peoples' interests but I kinda think he did a whole lot more.

Louis David Riel (English pron.: /ˈluːiː riːˈɛl/, French pronunciation: ​[lwi ʁjɛl]; 22 October 1844 – 16 November 1885) was a Canadian politician, a founder of the province of Manitoba, and a political and spiritual leader of the Métis people of the Canadian prairies.[1] He led two resistance movements against the Canadian government and its first post-Confederation Prime Minister, Sir John A. Macdonald. Riel sought to preserve Métis rights and culture as their homelands in the Northwest came progressively under the Canadian sphere of influence. He is regarded by many today as a Canadian folk hero.[2]

Louis Riel Day in Canada

Louis Riel Day is an annual general holiday in the Canadian province of Manitoba on the third Monday of February. It commemorates the life of Louis Riel, a politician who represented the Métis people's interests.

Its my understanding that Lois Real was originally a school teacher.
He was elected to the Manitoba Legislature but never assumed his seat due to arrest warrants against him.
Much of this time was spent in the USA.
He is remembered as the father of the Province of Manitoba.
His rebellion was seen as an impetus for the completion of the Trans-Canada railroad as troops could not be transported across the Great Lakes in winter and it was too far to march. Many sections of track, the first winter, were laid on packed snow.
He was eventually hanged by the Canadian Government.

reply to post by Beartracker16


Thanks Beartracker. ...True, Riel's life was fraught with difficulty but now we have a province, a holiday and a rather lovely quote from this great man:

Life, without the dignity of an intelligent being, is not worth having.