Louis Riel remains, even today, one of the most controversial figures in Canadian history. He was a political and spiritual leader of the Métis of the Canadian prairies who sought to preserve Métis rights and culture as their native lands gradually came under Canadian influence. The circumstances of his death had lasting political consequences in Canada and sparked opposition from many people. His trial is arguably one of the most famous in Canadian history, and whether it was unfair is a matter of debate. Louis RielLouis Riel was born on October 22, 1844 in the Red River Colony, Rupert's Land. He was the eldest of eleven children. He studied in Saint-Boniface where his teachers considered him a promising student. He then continued his studies at the College of Montreal to study the priesthood, but withdrew after the premature death of his father in 1864. In 1865, he studied law and attempted to train as a lawyer under Rodolphe LaFlamme, but failed. never graduates. He is believed to have worked briefly in Chicago, Illinois, and St. Paul, Minnesota, before returning to the Red River area in 1868. It was after his return that Louis Riel immersed in politics and became a leader for the Métis. In 1869, the Red River and the Northwest were to be transferred from the Hudson's Bay Company to Canadian jurisdiction, so survey teams were sent to the Red River. These teams were disrupted by a group of Métis, including Riel, who then organized themselves into the "Métis National Committee" with Riel as secretary. This committee formed a provisional government in December 1869 and Louis Riel became its president. This government established a Bill of Rights for the Métis People. They were challenged by a group of English settlers known as...... middle of paper ...... artyr, hero or traitor? Accessed June 5, 2014 from http://www.mysteriesofcanada.com/Canada/Riel/riel.htmThe Northwest Resistance. (nd). Louis Riel. Retrieved June 4, 2014 from http://library.usask.ca/northwest/background/riel.htm Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia. (April 26, 2014). Louis Riel. Retrieved June 4, 2014 from http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Louis_Riel Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia. (April 8, 2014). Trial of Louis Riel. Retrieved June 5, 2014 from http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Trial_of_Louis_RielYahoo! Answers. (nd). Was Louis Riel a hero or a traitor? Retrieved June 5, 2014, from https://answers.yahoo.com/question/index?qid=20090615212104AAZjjpH Yahoo! Answers. (nd). Do you think Louis Riel was innocent or guilty? Retrieved June 5, 2014 from https://answers.yahoo.com/question/index?qid=20101126200443AAiKtrD