Louis Riel Day

[libre]

In Manitoba today is Louis Riel Day.

He was a Metis leader who lead the Red River Rebellion and the North-West Rebellion against the Canadian state.

Red River Rebellion - Wikipedia

en.wikipedia.org

North-West Rebellion - Wikipedia

en.wikipedia.org

He is remembered as a man who fought for the survival and land of Native nations, as well as the rights of the French.
As a wanted man he was elected to the Canadian parliament on several occasions, but was not able to take the seat as the Canadian government had contracted bounty hunters on him. He later returned to Canada and was executed.

Anyone who wishes to know a little more detail can check out this pdf from the Metis Nation's website: https://www.metisnation.org/wp-content/uploads/2011/10/riel-day_info-sheet.pdf.

The Metis Nation of Ontario will celebrate Louis Riel Day in November.

 

[Regiomontanus]

In Manitoba today is Louis Riel Day.

He was a Metis leader who lead the Red River Rebellion and the North-West Rebellion against the Canadian state.

Red River Rebellion - Wikipedia

en.wikipedia.org

North-West Rebellion - Wikipedia

en.wikipedia.org

He is remembered as a man who fought for the survival and land of Native nations, as well as the rights of the French.
As a wanted man he was elected to the Canadian parliament on several occasions, but was not able to take the seat as the Canadian government had contracted bounty hunters on him. He later returned to Canada and was executed.

Anyone who wishes to know a little more detail can check out this pdf from the Metis Nation's website: https://www.metisnation.org/wp-content/uploads/2011/10/riel-day_info-sheet.pdf.

The Metis Nation of Ontario will celebrate Louis Riel Day in November.

"... as well as the rights of the French." What would those rights be?

 

[Subduction Zone]

"... as well as the rights of the French." What would those rights be?

At least one is rather obvious. To speak French and not be force to speak English. Also if you read the article land surveying was done differently by the French and they were worried about property rights that arose from those different methods.

 

[libre]

"... as well as the rights of the French." What would those rights be?

The Manitoba act that resulted from his struggles lead to a new state of affairs where the government passed into law "equal access to the legislatures, the laws and the courts for francophones and anglophones alike” and "all provincial statutes and regulations must be passed in English and French and the courts must be able to operate in both these languages."

https://www.gov.mb.ca/fls-slf/pdf/bilingualism_mb_august_2012.pdf

 

[libre]

https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/manitoba/louis-riel-first-premier-manitoba-1.7119476

MMF President David Chartrand and Manitoba Premier Wab Kinew spent part of Louis Riel Day unveiling the portrait of the Métis leader, who led a provisional government and led negotiations that paved the way for the province's entry into Confederation in 1870.

"We waited 154 years for this, and we never gave up on correcting the wrong," Chartrand told guest host Cory Funk on CBC's Information Radio Monday, before the unveiling.

"This is about correcting history, and the shame and the hardship we have faced."

An update I had missed.

 

[Jayhawker Soule]

A jury comprised of English, Protestant, non-aboriginal jurors found him guilty of treason, but recommended mercy. The judge, Hugh Richardson, however, ignored the jury's suggestion and sentenced Riel to death. One juror wrote to Parliament: “Had the Government done their duty and redressed the grievances of the half-breeds of Saskatchewan ... there would never have been a second Riel Rebellion, and consequently no prisoner to try and condemn.” Yet, on November 16, 1885, Louis Riel was hung in Regina, as a message from Prime Minister MacDonald to the Métis and others who challenged Canada’s western expansion goals. [ibid]

Clearly a person, and an injustice, worth remembering. Thanks, @libre.