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Canada's History › Key Figures
Who was Louis Riel?
- A Quebec nationalist leader in the 20th century
- A French-Canadian politician who became Prime Minister
- A Métis leader who headed two resistance movements against the Canadian government and was executed for treason in 1885
- An Indigenous leader who signed Treaty 7 with the Canadian government
Why this is the correct answer
Louis Riel was a Métis political leader who headed two armed resistance movements against the Canadian government: the Red River Resistance of 1869-70, which led to Manitoba's entry into Confederation, and the North-West Resistance of 1885 in Saskatchewan. He was captured, tried for treason and hanged in November 1885. His legacy remains deeply contested — he is regarded by many as a Father of Manitoba and a martyr for Métis rights.