In 1869, Riel founded the Comité National des Métis to protect his people’s rights, and helped stage the Red River Uprising for which he was exiled to the United States. Entreatied by settlers, he eventually returned to set up a provisional government and, as the self-declared prophet of his people, became embroiled in the 1885 rebellion. When the Canadian government finally responded with military force, the rebellion was quickly crushed and Riel surrendered.

His subsequent trial and execution aroused bitterness and debate. Alternately described as visionary and madman, victim and villain, he remained a controversial figure in death as in life. With the perspective of time, Louis Riel has come to be seen as a combination of martyr and hero in the eyes of many Canadians.

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