Riel was born in the Red River Colony (now Manitoba). He was educated as a lawyer in Montreal. He returned home at just as Canada was buying the vast territory called Rupert's Land from the Hudson's Bay Company. The Metis feared that they would lose control of their own homeland.

The Metis are descendants of French Canadian coureurs de bois / voyageurs and native mothers. These buffalo hunters saw their way of life threatened by the arrival of English-speaking Canadians from the East.

Riel & the Metis formed a "provisional government". This Red River Rebellion, led to the creation of the province of Manitoba in 1870.

There was also no bloodshed in the Rebellion. They did execute one prisoner (Thomas Scott). Ontario's reaction forced Riel to flee. He was twice elected a member of Parliament in his absence.

In 1884, Riel returned from Montana, USA to help lead the Saskatchewan Metis. In 1885 they claimed a provisional government. 300 Metis, led by Riel, clashed with about 100 N.W.M.P. starting the Northwest Rebellion.

The Canadian government sent in the army (8,000 men). Batoche of Batoche (1885) lasted 3 days, overpowering the Metis. Riel was tried & executed.