Sympathetic non-Aboriginal writers have revised the history. Their interpretation places Riel in a better light, but still does not give a Metis perspective.  We need only look at the structure of his trial, how it was conducted and the jury to know that it was unfair.  Riel was charged, found guilty, and hanged for something that would be classified as freedom of speech and would be viewed as a minor misdemeanor by today's standards. 
"I am glad that the Crown has proved that I am the leader of the half-breeds in the Northwest.  I will perhaps be one day acknowledged as more than a leader of the half-breeds, and if I am, I will have the opportunity of being acknowledged as a leader of good in this great country".  Louis Riel 1885
"The Trial of Louis Riel", as put forward by John Coulter is based on the actual court transcripts of the trial.  Today, the re-enactment performed by RielCo Productions Inc. has been a mainstay in the city of Regina and the province of Saskatchewan for 42 years and has been viewed by more that 50,000 visitors.  For the production not to continue would be yet another great tragedy in the history of this province.  This re-creation has served as a constant reminder of the grave injustice that was inflicted not only on Riel and his family, but also to the entire Metis Nation, past and present.  Equally important to consider is that RielCo's production of "The Trial of Louis Riel" has been paramount in preserving the memory of Louis Riel. 





















To do Riel and his cause justice, we must look at the situation in a contemporary sense.  His story must someday be presented from a Metis perspective.  This great Canadian must be given his due and be put in the proper context.  Riel is recognized as a father of confederation, a defender of rights.  People debate whether or not he should be pardoned.  Some say Riel did nothing criminal that would warrant a pardon.  In the hearts of the Metis, Louis Riel will for all eternity be remembered as a true Martyr. Today's students look at many different interpretations of a situation and form their own conclusions.  This has led to the freethinking, more open society that our teens and young adults practice today.  They form their own beliefs as to what they think is the accepted standard for them.
"We must cherish our inheritance.  We must preseve our nationality for the youth of our future.  The story shoud be written down to pass on".  Louis Riel
It is here that the Metis interpretation of Riel's story must be portrayed as an honorable man, a devoted husband and father, and as an artist.  His eloquent poems should be included in our educational system.  It should be known that Riel was not allowed to speak on his own defense at the trial until after he was convicted and sentenced.  It should be known that Riel's family experienced great hardship before, during and after his trial.  They faced great tragedy after his death, all of his children died.  Today Louis Riel has no direct descendants.  The views and perspectives of Riel studied in a modern context are reasonable if not completely accurate.  He was a man, perhaps born before his time. 

Written by Calvin Racette & Rodger W. Ross with assistance from Shelley Fayant





Prologue to "The Trial of Louis Riel"
"We shall fail, perhaps, but the right for which we fought will never die".    Louis Riel

Louis Riel is perhaps the most controversial figure in     Canadian history.  His story has been written several times by  many different historians.  Often times, Riel is seen as a challenger of the status quo, a menace to society or perhaps a man who was out of balance.  Whatever the angle, these stories do not tell of the Riel that the Metis people hold dear to their hearts.  Nor do they present the Metis perspective or show any comprehensive understanding of what Riel was trying to do on behalf of the Metis Nation of Saskatchewan and Manitoba.






















Many citizens of Manitoba acknowledge Riel as the founder of their province.  The city of Winnigeg has embraced him as one of their sons.  Winnipeg has buildings and streets named after Riel and other prominent Metis people from the past.  This creates a certain amount of recognition of the Metis Nation and portrays an attitude and mindset that does not exist in mainstream society elsewhere in Canada.
Within the context of the prevailing opinions there are many variables that have never been mentioned.  Louis Riel has never been looked at as an individual.  Riel was a husband, a father, a teacher, an artist, a friend, and a family man.  Never have these aspects of his life been described.  Riel had a price put on his head by a faction of the government of Canada, more specifically, by a federal cabinet minister.  For this he was, to quote his own words, "hunted like an elk".  This situation prevented Riel from taking his elected position in parliament.  The bounty on Riel's head dramatically affected all aspects of his life.
"Deeds are not accomplished in a few days, or in a few hours.  A century is only a spoke in the wheel of everlasting time".    Louis Riel (Montreal Star), 1885
Was Riel's cause so unrealistic?  The list of demands he put forward in 1870 formed the nucleus of the Manitoba Act and was the foundation for the present day structure.  Riel's demands of 1885 are pretty much the basis of the Saskatchewan Act of 1905.  Riel was found guilty of treason.  In reality, his "crime" was asking if Canada had a "responsible government".  Lucien Bouchard and before him, Jacques Parizeau have held repeated referendums on Canadian Unity and Quebec separating from Canada.  Riel had raised issues of a similar nature.  Amazingly, Bouchard and Parizeau are given all sorts of recognition and held office in the government of Canada.  Louis Riel was hanged.
Some writers have done a particular disservice to Riel and the Metis Nation.  Their premise is that Riel was a madman and acted in a crazy manner and that if Riel was crazy, then so was his cause.  An examination of Metis history shows that there are hundreds of examples where Metis people have been marginalized, discredited, ignored or treated unjustly.  These are the reasons why Riel stood up for the Metis and challenged the Canadian government.
Riel's letters make reference to a fixation with death and his talk in the trial about the doctrines of the Sulphician order, have been attributed to a state of lunacy.  When in fact, extreme stress caused by 15 years of being hunted, and being in an environment that was in a conflict indicates that Riel may have been suffering from a degree of nervous breakdown.  Additional stress would have been added due to the fact that his wife was pregnant with their third child.