North West Rebellion

Before we introduce why Riel returned to Canada we must understand why he left. Riel fled Canada due to his participation in committing a crime. Before Riel fled he had killed a man, this is the main reason as to why he left. After Riel fled 4 men, one who is Gabriel Dumont, a buffalo hunter, had found their way on a journey to locate Riel. This journey took place because the Metis Louis had left behind were conscious on their surviving levels as well as their rights, they needed a leader which is where Riel comes along the lines. As Riel completely changed his environment(now in Montana) his Metis brothers and sisters believed he was best to lead them once more back on their original home with Riel. Riel had lead a protest against the federal government and succeeded, so once the Metis were placed in the situation where they were in need of a leader, they turned to Louis Riel, believing he was able to lead them once again. Once Riel returned he led the Metis into protest. He created a petition for the federal government in December, as they responded 2 months later, they had promised things were going to be looked into but Riels people had doubted the words coming from the government.

As Louis returned back home there were many rumors that the federal government has created a police force to arrest Riel. This police force was called the Northwest Mounted Police(NWMP. )After sending the petition to the federal government, Riel and his people were under the assumption that they were being ignored. One month passed, as it is now March 19, 1885. Riel and Dumont had created a new provincial government, similar to the one back in 1870. As he was appointed president Riel and his people were confident they were going to increase in strength. Riel had brought a rally of approximately 300 men and assigned a secret oath for his people. The federal government had not received this memo to well, as it was a surprise, and had grown concern. The federal government decided to rally their own government troops and were ready to perform their strengths.

The Northwest resistance consisted of one major issue. As Louis Riel and his men sent out messengers to Saskatchewan and Manitoba to inform the First Nations communities about joining their resisting force, several groups agreed to joining, not tolerating the federal government's ways of ruling(Plains and Woodland Cree), while other groups denied due to their beliefs of having peace within the relationship of the federal government and the community. Although Riel gathered many more men to join his march, he still lost a great deal of folks to support his movements. This delayed his opportunities of winning the “battle”. Federal troops increased in men drastically while Riels was slowly increased, this set Riel way back.

On March 25, 1885 Dumont and his men had raided a store in Duck Lake, Saskatchewan. They were in need of supplies which led them to taking them from the store without engaging in payment. The next day 100 Mounted Police had been searching for Dumont and his men with a goal of taking them down. Dumont, trying to avoid violence as much as possible, had ordered 2 of his men, which included one to be his brother (Isidore), as well as an older Cree man, Assiwiyin. They had surrounded the NWMP as fights erupted many men were killed on both sides of the fight. The police had fired their guns at 2 important men that were part of Riel's team. Both had died leaving Dumont without 2 members of his troop and without a brother(Isidore was killed, as well as Assiwiyan).

As the federal government clearly held a stronger militia and troop number, Riel and Dumon still had faith. In the Battle of Batoche Dumont faced a problem that followed him throughout the battle. Before he faced the problem Middleton and his troops were on their way to Riels headquarters, where Dumont and his troop traveled to Fish creek where they had ambushed Middleton's troops. As they quickly fled, it's wasn't until early May, a couple weeks later, when he had returned. Dumont had quickly realised his troop was outnumbered compared to the other troop. Dumont had roughly 300 compared to 800. Dumont was quick to strategize, planning to attack from the countryside, but Riel had other ideas. Since Riel has become more religious after fleeing Canada in 1870, he had now believed God wanted him to fight the battle(s) in Batoche.

Back in 1870, during the first resistance led by Riel, government troops were unable to travel across Canada in a short period of time, but now(1885) that the railway has been fully built, many more troops were able to successfully transport to the Metis. This was a great issue because it wasn't only a troop of roughly 500 men, it was a troop of 3, 000! Clearly the government was against the resistance the Northwest has presented. Although Riels troops had stolen many supplies from the store in Duck Lake, the federal government had surprised him with the number of men they had brought along with them, as well as the weapons they brought over. The Northwest were still confident and headed into their battles.

The 2 troops(Riel and federal gov) held a 3 day standoff, but as the situation was going nowhere the other troop decided to attack on Riels troop quick and without informing. The Metis only had 50-60 men left on the troop by this time. Roughly 50 men had died, Riel, Dumont and the last standing members fled to the U.S. Riel soon surrendered leaving Dumont and other men to flee farther as Riel had been facing charges.

Around July 10, 1885 Riel was jailed in Regina for 8 weeks. His trial started on July 10th. Primarily the court was going to take place in Winnipeg, but was soon changed to Regina. This was done because a large population belonged to Metis people, who they believed were most likely supportive of Riel. By moving the location of the court Riels chances of “winning” were slim. The final jury was made up of english speaking Protestants where only one spoke french, Louis Riel's first language. Clearly the government was very hesitant on including Riels familiarities to the court trial. Riel's lawyers were planning on altering Riels state of health, allowing Riel to get a less extreme charge/sentence. Riel denied this to be done, instead he spoke his truth. Riel spoke in english making it easy for the lawyers and jury to understand. He spoke saying, “I was not taken prisoner, I surrendered on purpose. I want to be judged on the merits of my actions… From the time of my arrival in Saskatchewan , I worked peacefully… We didn't make any aggressive military moves… In Batoche we defended ourselves.” He told the jury that his life was in their hands.

4 weeks after Riel's trial the judge has found him guilty of treason. Although Riel was given this news it came to a surprise by everyone that the judge requested mercy on behalf of Riel. At this point it was in the hands of the federal government. The judge was able to request, but the next step can only be done by the federal government. At this point Sir John A. MacDonald(prime minister) was contemplating on whether or not to kill Riel. If he did he would lose support from Quebec, but if he didn't the English-Canadians would most likely get offended. MacDonald finalised by executing(hanging) Riel on November 16, 1885.

After Riel's death the population started raving on the details of his execution and its purposes. Many gathered to protest the federal government's actions. The riot these citizens caused, caused the news to be reported internationally. Till this day I know many people who still argue on whether or not Riel deserved to be hung or not. The debates on this topic rise super high in intensity. Riel's life is one that will most likely continue on raving through the next couple of years.