By Sarah Stinchcombe
He was a revolutionary in the province of Manitoba, and today the Metis community in Ontario is celebrating his life.
Riel, who was executed for treason in 1885 at age 41, was the face of the Metis movement in the prairies, and a significant figure in Canada’s history. Manitoba pays homage to Riel’s life with a statutory holiday every third Monday in February, and several monuments to Riel have been erected and preserved throughout the province.
In Toronto today, events began early in the day and will continue until early evening. The final event, a panel titled Law Society of Upper Canada Public Legal Education Event, will conclude the day’s festivities.
Below is a timeline of the life and subsequent death of Louis Riel.