Louis Riel was the leader of the Metis people – descendants of families with one European parent and one Native one. Worried that their land and rights were being taken away, Louis Riel led them through a rebellion. He escaped capture by fleeing the to States. He returned to Canada, where a few years later he joined another rebellion in the prairies. He eventually was captured and, after a trial, was hanged for treason. (Here is the Heritage Minute about Mr. Riel.) Find out more about his life.
The Metis people are the founding people of Manitoba, and their culture is a fascinating mix of European and Native traditions. One of their most iconic symbols is their arrowed sash.
Metis Dances
Fiddle music and jigging is a key part of the Metis culture. Let’s give it a try!
Here are the basic steps:
Here is some awesome fiddle music to practice your new dance moves to. Sierra Noble is an artist from Winnipeg, Manitoba, and she recorded this album when she was only 14 years old!
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It’s good to educate Canadians about Louis Riel. However, the lead-in above has a few errors. Louis Riel was not “captured” as stated above. He voluntarily “surrendered”, expecting a state trial on the merit of his actions. It never happened. Instead he was unfairly, unjustly and illegally tried, convicted and executed under a 534 year old British Statute which had no application to the charges against Riel. The term “rebellion, used above, is problematic. Riel did not lead a Rebellion in Red River against Canada in 1869/1870- he led a Resistance. At the time Canada consisted of only four provinces, Ontario, Quebec, New Brunswick and Nova Scotia. Western Canada was not part of Canada. When Canada sent survey crews into Red River in 1869; they were foreign intruders. One does not “rebel” against foreign interlopers; rather one “resists” them. Riel led the Red River Resistance, not a Rebellion. George and Terry Goulet.
Thank you for correcting me and helping us learn more.