Product Description

A fiery activist, Louis Riel devoted his life to the Metis cause. He was a pioneer in the field of aboriginal rights and land claims but was branded an outlaw in his own time. It was a time of great change in the North-West. The buffalo were disappearing from the prairie, furs were no longer in high demand, and in 1868 the Hudson's Bay Company had sold Rupert's Land to the new Dominion of Canada. Inhabitants of the Red River Settlement were worried about securing their rights to the land they occupied. In 1869, the Metis of Red River took control of Fort Garry, prevented the new lieutenant-governor from entering the settlement, and formed a provisional government to negotiate with Canada.Louis Riel drew up a List of Rights and worked to unite the religious and linguistic groups in the community. He led the Red River Resistance that resulted in the founding of the province of Manitoba in 1870. But Louis Riel was not hailed as a Father of Confederation until 1992, when Parliament declared him one of the founders of Manitoba. Banished, and with a price on his head, in 1870 Riel took refuge in the United States. He was elected to Parliament three times but could not take his seat for fear of arrest. In exile, he became convinced that he had a divine mission to lead his people.In 1884, the Metis of the Saskatchewan territory, worried that their lands would be taken away as settlers from the East moved in, asked for Riel's help. This time, negotiation and peaceful methods failed, and violence broke out. In 1885, Canadian forces defeated the Metis at Batoche. Riel surrendered, was convicted of high treason, and hung. 16 November, the anniversary of his execution, is now designated Louis Riel Day in Canada.

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #3345117 in Books
• Published on: 2007-01-05
• Original language: English
• Number of items: 1
• Binding: Paperback
• 186 pages

About the Author
Born in Kamloops, B.C., Sharon Stewart now lives in Toronto. She studied History at Simon Fraser University, the University of London, and the University of Toronto. She has worked as an editor for educational publishers and has written seven acclaimed novels for young adults. Her most recent books are: Banished From Our Home (2004), Ravenquest (2003), City of the Dead (2001), and My Anastasia (1999).