Louis Riel (1844–1885)

Louis David Riel was born near what is now Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada, on October 22, 1844. In 1869, the Métis revolted against the transfer of their territories from the Hudson's Bay Company to the Dominion of Canada, and Louis Riel was their leader. After years of leadership and success, in 1884, Riel was involved in another armed uprising, but this was quickly crushed by the military might of the Canadian government, and Riel surrendered. Riel was found guilty of treason and hanged on November 16, 1885, in Regina, Canada.