Louis Riel definitely played a huge role in making Canada into what it is today. He led two major rebellions, The Red River Rebellion and The Northwest Rebellion, both of which he was fighting for Metis rights. Louis Riel was considered a hero. Firstly, a hero is someone who never abandons their people. Even in exile, Riel answered the Metis call of help and returned to Canada to lead his people. This showed that Riel wasn’t cowardly and still had the inner-Metis within him. He suffered a huge loss once before, yet he still helped the Metis. An average man would have given up. Additionally, a hero is someone who seeks peace. Before the Rebellion, Riel sought many peaceful approaches with the government.
After everything the Metis went through, Riel still tried to have peaceful negotiations. It was only when the government ignored him that he resorted to war. Even then, he and the Metis fought with one goal in mind – peace. Finally, a hero is someone who would sacrifice themselves for the sake of others. Riel stayed strong and fought for the Metis rights even in the face of death. He risked his life in order to have the court acknowledge what the Metis were going through and why they were rebelling. He could’ve taken the coward’s way out like he did last time, but he stayed and fought for what he believed in. Louis Riel is a hero even till this day. He didn’t abandon his people at their worst times, he sought peaceful approaches before waging war, and he fought for the Metis even in the face of death. He was a hero because he did what the Metis could not – be acknowledged by the government. Although both his rebellions failed, the government recognized the Metis as a determined and formidable group.