Riel trial
Transcript of Riel trial
POST REBELLION
Louis Riel surrenders to General Middleton, who offers to protect him until the time of trial
CROWFOOT
Chief Crowfoot
1886 John A. Macdonald invited Crowfootto Ottawa
During this trip Crowfoot hoped to get a pardon for his adoptive son Poundmaker
Fell ill during trip and had to return from Ottawa early
Died in 1890
POUNDMAKER
Poundmaker
Following the Metis defeat at Batoche heSurrendered himself to the Canadian Militia
Convicted for participation in NW Rebellion
Sentenced to Stoney Mountain Penitentiary for 3 Years
Served 7 Months due to failing health
Died 1886, age 44
BIG BEAR
Big Bear
Captured by NWMP in July of 1885
Found guilty of participating in the NW Rebellion
Sentenced to 3 years at StoneyMountain Penitentiary
Served 2 years due to failing health
Died 1888, aged 63
THE FIRST NATIONS LEADERS
Big Bear & Poundmaker as Prisoners
Canadian Gov. used the Frog Lake massacre to link the Cree to the NW Rebellion
Despite evidence to suggest the two were not Connected & that Big Bear had tried to stopit from happening
Also ignore that Poundmaker had not attacked anyone
GABRIEL DUMONT
Following the defeat at Batoche Gabriel Dumont fled the country to Montana
Gave himself up to the US Cavalry, who determined he was political refugee
Joined Buffalo Bill`s Wild West as a rebel leader and crack marksman
Returned to Batoche in 1893 and settled the lands he Originally claimed.
Died in 1906
LOUIS RIEL TRIAL
The most famous trial in Canadian History
Took place in Regina July 1885, lasted 5 days
Defense Council tried to prove Riel`s insanity & therefore he was not guilty of High Treason
6 Jurors found gave a guilty verdict with a request for mercy
Judge sentenced him to death by hanging on September 18, 1885
PROBLEMS WITH THE TRIAL
Judge was a lawyer not a real Judge
All 6 of the Jurors were English Protestants
Council tried to prove Riel was Insane against Riel`s wishes
John A. Macdonald decided to charge Riel with an obscure British Law dating to 1342.
- Canada`s treason law did not carry a death penalty
Has emerged as a hero and the Father of Manitoba
"I am glad that the Crown has proved that I am the leader of the Metis in the NorthWest. I will perhaps be one day acknowledged as more than a leader of the Metis, and if so I hope I will also have the opportunity to be acknowledged as a leader of good in this great country."