14 Times Louis Got Way Too Riel

The Father of Manitoba was a straight-up bad ass.

I. Bennetto & Co. / Via Wikimedia Commons

"I have nothing but my heart and I have given it long ago to my country."

Louis Riel, the Father of Manitoba and the Leader of the Métis people, was once considered a traitor for many years following his execution. But now he's being hailed a hero among Canadians.

He fought for Métis culture and sovereignty, and ultimately, gave a people displaced by the Canadian government a place to call home. Here are just a few items that made it all possible, and how Louis kept it Riel:

1. 1844: Louis Riel is born.

"Louis Riel 1858" / Via Wikimedia Commons

I mean, can you get any Rieler than that?

2. 1869: Louis Riel leads an army of Métis horsemen to stop the Canadian Government's land survey of the Red River Settlement.

"Louis Riel 1868" / Via Wikimedia Commons

This, Rielly, is just the tipping point for Riel's career in leading rebellions.

3. 1869: Louis Riel forms the Provisional Government.

"Provisional Metis Government" / Via Wikimedia Commons

Some other dude is first named president, but 20 days later, Riel becomes the Riel president of it all.

4. 1870: Louis Riel executes prisoner Thomas Scott.

"Shooting Thomas Scott" / Via Wikimedia Commons

Scott was a land surveyor and apparently very rude. Riel needed to prove that the Provisional Government was a Riel government.

5. 1870: Louis Riel flees to the States.

I. Bennetto & Co / Via Wikimedia Commons

There is a very Riel threat of getting hanged if he stays in Canada.

6. 1871: Louis Riel has a nervous breakdown.

"Louis Riel Portrait 2" / Via Wikimedia Commons

He has to go to a mental hospital and has some Riel religious revelations.

7. 1871: Louis Riel recruits another army of Métis horsemen.

Red River Valley 1871 / Via Manitoba Historical Society

And they defend Manitoba against a poorly organized group of Americans. Fo' Riel.

8. 1873: Louis Riel is elected into Parliament.

"Louis Riel 1878" / Via Wikimedia Commons

And he doesn't attend any sessions, because he's a Riel rule breaker.

9. 1874: Louis Riel is reelected into Parliament.

"Louis Riel 1885" / Via Wikimedia Commons

But is expelled before taking his seat. Rielly not cool.

10. 1874: Louis Riel is convicted of the murder of Thomas Scott

"Orangeman Thomas Scott" / Via Wikipedia

But his death penalty is commuted to a two-year sentence in prison. Riel lucky.

11. 1875: Louis Riel is granted amnesty.

"Louis Riel prison" by James Peters / Via Wikimedia Commons

On the very Riel condition he remains in exile for five years.

12. 1884: Louis Riel has been chillin' in New York with his wife and kids for 10 years, but that gets old for him.

"Jean-Louis Angelique Riel" by Steele & Wing / Via Wikimedia Commons

And he moves back to the Canadian prairies to be a Riel leader of a Métis uprising.

13. 1885: Louis Riel leads the Northwest Rebellion in the Battle of Batoche.

"Battle of Batoche" by Seargent Grundy / Via Wikimedia Commons

The unorganized rebels lose Riel terribly.

14. 1885: Louis Riel is found guilty of high treason.

"Louis Riel Death Certificate" / Via Wikimedia Commons

After a Riel incredible life, Riel is called a bi-polar madman at his trial and hanged.

A tragic end for Louis, but he was the Riel deal.