Who was Louis Riel during the Red River Rebellion?

During the Red River Rebellion of 1869–70, Louis Riel emerged as the primary leader and spokesman for the Métis people in the Red River Settlement.21

Fearing that the transfer of Rupert’s Land from the Hudson’s Bay Company to Canada would threaten their land rights, culture, and religion, Riel organized Métis insurgents to halt Canadian surveyors and block the incoming governor-designate, William McDougall. His actions included seizing Upper Fort Garry and establishing a provisional government, with Riel serving as president, to negotiate the terms of the settlement's entry into the Canadian Confederation.21

While Riel successfully negotiated the creation of the province of Manitoba, his leadership was marred by the court-martial and execution of Thomas Scott, an English-speaking settler who opposed the insurgency. This act inflamed tensions in Ontario and prevented Riel from receiving an unconditional amnesty, eventually forcing him into exile as Canadian troops arrived in 1870.21