Struggle for Aboriginal Rights (And Louis Riel)

Struggle for Aboriginal Rights

(and Louis Riel)

The fight for equality and rights for the First Nations People is arguably one of the most defining features of Canadian history. Since Samuel de Champlain’s first interactions with the natives 1635, the fight for indigenous rights has been part of Canada’s identity. Following the introduction (and approval) of Bill C-45 into Parliament, a grassroots movement called Idle No More has gained significant attention in the media through rallies, teach-ins and social media. The goal of this movement is to protect indigenous rights and the rights of all Canadians. The protesters want to ensure that democracy and justice is represented in the legislation and that their Indigenous and treaty rights are respected. Although this particular protest has been in the news recently, there have been fights for Aboriginal equality throughout Canadian history.

Louis Riel is one of the most controversial Canadian heroes/villains because he fought for native and French rights while the identity of Canada was beginning to form. In Extraordinary Canadians: Louis Riel and Gabriel Dumont, Giller Prize-winning novelist Joseph Boyden writes about the roles of Louis Riel and Gabriel Dumont during the Northwest Rebellion. As an acclaimed novelist, Boyden intertwines his ability to craft a suspenseful and elegant narrative with the fascinating historical story of Riel and Dumont. Boyden writes this novel in first-person, so it feels like the story is coming alive as you read it. Although this book is a great read, it focuses on the Northwest Rebellion; yet Riel’s greatest contribution to Canadian history is arguably having Manitoba recognized as a Canadian province in 1870. Prior to the Northwest Rebellion, Riel also made undeniable contributions to the fight for minority rights in Canada. These contributions are unfortunately largely overlooked in this novel.

Gabriel Dumont was a successful hunter and Métis chief. He was the captain of the buffalo hunt on the plains of Saskatchewan, and he held the political and military power among his people. Dumont was a man who was tested by warfare; he was a pragmatist who differed from the devout Riel. They met for the first time in June of 1884 when Dumont asked Riel to return to Canada and help the Metis fight back against the oppressive government. Boyden argues that Dumont, who was part of a delegation that had sought out Riel in exile, may not have foreseen the impact of bringing Riel home. While making rational demands of Sir John A. Macdonald's government, Riel seemed increasingly overtaken by a messianic mission that distracted him from the fight for the Métis people. His execution in 1885 by the Canadian government still resonates today. Boyden provides fresh, controversial insight into these two seminal Canadian figures and how they shaped the country.

The book is a part of a series of biographies that pairs Canada’s most distinguished writes with great Canadians that have impacted our nation in a significant way. The purpose of the series is to “look at ourselves through our society’s most remarkable figures.” The series includes books about the following historically significant people: Lord; Emily Carr; Nellie McClung; Big Bear; Mordecai Richler; Lester B. Pearson; Stephen Leacock; René Lévesque; Wilfrid Laurier; Norman Bethune; Lucy Maud Montgomery; Glenn Gould; Marshall McLuhan; Pierre Elliott Trudeau; Louis Riel & Gabriel Dumont; Louis-Hippolyte LaFontaine & Robert; Tommy Douglas; and Maurice Richard.

Check out your library to learn more about these incredible Canadians!