Metis History: Louis Riel - Essay Example

However, he is also criticized as a traitor and many despise him for his actions against the Canadian government. Many reason their negative stance towards him by the fact that he was tried for treason, convicted and eventually executed (Rosemary Neering, 1999). However, it is to be pointed in this context that people base their opinion merely on a few situational circumstances and do not undertake the additional effort into understanding or gaining an oversight into the lifelong activities of the man in question.

It is to be mentioned here that Lois Riel rose to the position of the Secretary of the National committee of the Metis Red River and was very popular amongst his people so much so that people used to approach him for seeking advice rather than prefer the president for any consultations. Quite aware of the approach of McDougall at the Pembina boundary, Riel marched with a hundred of his stauch Metis followers and took control of the Fort Garry. He went on to conquer other forts in the region to such an extent that the president of the Red River Metis Committee had to eventually resign in favor of Lois Riel (Scott Flanagan, 1992).

These achievements that include his capture of power and territory for the Metis people in his quest to provide them a political and territorial identity are some of the traits which are believed to be the reasons behind his immense popularity as a hero in Canadian history. Further, his undeterred approach to motivating the native Americans and Metis people in the settlement of Red River to rebel against the oppressive government should be seen as a fight against oppression and discrimination as these people had been deprived of even their basic rights in certain areas such as land and the economy.

However, the transfer of the lands in the area from the Hudson bay company into the control of the Canadian government