Louis Riel Day at Festival du Voyageur

Louis Riel celebrated at Festival du VoyageurMany Manitobans had the day off Monday, with Louis Riel Day being marked across the province.

Festival du Voyageur hosted special activities all day to commemorate the life of Riel, the founder of Manitoba who fought for Metis rights.

Riel lead the Red River Rebellion and helped create The Manitoba Act, but his life was cut short when he was found guilty of treason and hanged in 1885.

“More and more people are learning the story of Louis Riel and understanding the story behind the creation of Manitoba,” said Phillipe Mailhot, the director of the Saint Boniface Museum.

Festivities began with a Metis flag presentation at Voyageur Park at noon and continued with the Louis Riel Look-A-Like Contest at 3 p.m.Comment:  For more on Louis Riel, see Louis Riel Graphic Novel E-Book and Happy Louis Riel Day!

Below:  "Most people at Festival took shelter inside the tents, leaving the grounds eerily empty." (Marjorie Dowhos/CBC)

Review of Louis Riel: A Comic-Strip Biography

In Happy Louis Riel Day! I noted the Métis rebel's life and legacy. Now here's the comic-book version, which I recently read:

Louis Riel: A Comic-Strip BiographyLouis Riel: A Comic-Strip Biography is a highly acclaimed comic book biography of the Métis rebel leader, Louis Riel, by Chester Brown and published by Drawn and Quarterly. Time Magazine included it in its annual Best Comix list in 2003.

The novel, drawn entirely using a six-panel grid, gives a somewhat sympathetic chronicling of Riel's resistance to the Canadian government's mistreatment of the Métis community, in both 1869-70 and 1885, which resulted in the Métis' military defeat, and Riel's trial and execution. Brown eschews defining exactly what Riel, the most debated figure in Canadian history, should mean to a contemporary audience. His ambivalence about Riel's status in Canadian history is revealed in the novel's very large appendix, which serves in part as a running commentary on the novel's action. In some instances, Brown wonders why he depicted certain scenes in the way he has, suggesting perhaps a postmodern approach to his subject, in that precise meaning is deliberately confused or left vague, thereby enjoining the audience to "fill in the gaps," as it were.Louis Riel: A Comic-Strip Biography [Paperback]From Publishers Weekly

Brown's exploration of the life of a [...] 19th-century Canadian revolutionary Riel is a strong contender for the best graphic novel ever. Over five years in the making, Brown's work is completely realized here, from the strikingly designed two-color cover to the cream-colored paper and pristinely clear drawings. The story begins in 1869, with the sale of the independent Red River Settlement area of what's now Canada to the Canadian government. The area is inhabited by the French-speaking Métis, of mixed Indian and white ancestry, who are looked down upon by the Canadians. Riel is bilingual and becomes a de facto leader for the Red River Settlement, demanding the right for them to govern themselves within Canada. Not surprisingly, this request is denied, and the conflict is set in motion that ultimately consumes Riel's life. Brown doesn't deviate from a six-panel grid for the entire book, telling his story in a cartoon realism style reminiscent of Little Orphan Annie. And while the book concerns imperialism, empire, nationalism and the chaos that results, Brown maintains a still, almost silent atmosphere. He brilliantly renders a lengthy courtroom sequence by setting figures against a black background, heightening the tension of the events by employing minimal effects. Even the battle scenes are subdued. All of this will hook readers' minds and eyes, but never tell them what to think or feel. Instead, Brown calmly lets his story unfold, making the reading process deeply affecting. This is an ingenious comic and a major achievement.

The story of a Canadian rebellion, January 6, 2004
By SPM "scott_maykrantz" (Eugene, Oregon)

What sets this book apart is the fact that it's a big comic book. Brown tells the story using silent pictures whenever possible. Characters are drawn in a flat but beautiful way. No one is depicted as a cartoon, but the tone never matches a straight history book, either. Brown goes further by using the footnotes in a surprising way: He tells you that he got things wrong. Then he says he isn't sure why. At first, these tiny confessions seem strange, but then you realize he's just being honest.

If you're looking for a great graphic novel, this is the book to buy. Chester Brown has taken the story of a historical figure very few Americans have heard of and presented it in a unique way. Although it was written for adults, Louis Riel is a perfect gift for a young reader--it's a comic book, but a very sophisticated one.

Amazing artwork should be noted too., September 26, 2004
By Fergus Haggis "Slightly Geeky Reader" (Northern New Jersey, USA)

For both story and artwork, five stars are too little for Brown's beautiful comic-strip biography. This book belongs on the shelf of anyone interested in either history or graphic novels/comic strips.Rob's review

Louis Riel: A Comic-Strip Biography includes five pages of glowing comments from reviewers, many from major publications. So the comments above are typical rather than atypical.

Some people have called it "gripping" and "a page-turner." I wouldn't go that far. I was able to put it down and pick it up several times. It reads quickly because there are a lot of wordless pages, not because it's the greatest piece of literature ever.

I'd say Louis Riel is comparable to the best biographies and historical narratives. Not just in the comic-book field, but in all of literature. True, history is complex and convoluted, so it's rarely as good as a work of fiction. But this is about as good as history gets.

Brown has presented a story that could've been boring or confusing and made it clear and compelling. That alone is a huge achievement.

The meta-message of Louis Riel

To me, what really sets Louis Riel apart is the appendix. The tiny print can be wearying, but the information is provocative. It makes you rethink the whole concept of writing history.

Brown provides sources for his storytelling decisions along with further details. That's standard footnote or endnote practice. What isn't standard is how he critiques his decisions. He repeatedly tells readers how he moved characters in time or space, combined several characters into one, changed a character's age or shape, decided a character's motivation when it wasn't known, etc.

Each choice is likely to provoke one of three reactions:

1) Disagreement: Why change such-and-such when the actual history was just as straightforward? For instance, making a thin character fat. This change seems arbitrary if not incomprehensible.

2) Uncertainty: Does such-and-such a change work better than the actual history? Maybe yes, maybe no. You'd have to read an alternate version of the story to know for sure.

3) Agreement: Yes, such-and-such a change makes the story better. For instance, combining several lawyers defending Riel at his trial into one. Having to learn four or five minor characters wouldn't improve the reading experience; it would only bog it down.

Accuracy isn't always good

As Newspaper Rock readers know, I'm a stickler for accuracy. But Louis Riel makes the case that you have to simplify and sometimes change history to make it readable. Like most historic episodes, Riel's life has hundreds of characters participating in hundreds of events. A writer has to decide which of these characters and events to include or exclude.

The takeaway is that every work of historic nonfiction is really a work of fiction. The author chooses what to emphasize and so manipulates the reader's perceptions. That's why you can read a thousand books about Lincoln or Kennedy and no two will be the same.

This is why we read several books on a subject, and reviews of the books: to see what we've missed. By critiquing his own book, Brown has done that for us. If you're a Riel scholar, you could use Brown's Louis Riel to construct your own version of Riel. That's impressive.

Anyway, I don't think Louis Riel will replace MAUS or WATCHMEN as the best graphic novel ever. But it's a worthy addition to any collection of Native-themed books and comics. Rob's rating: 8.5 of 10.

For more on the subject, see Métis Awareness Day and "Hanging" Louis Riel T-Shirts Offend Métis.

Happy Louis Riel Day!

Here's a Canadian figure who's little-known in the US:

Louis RielLouis David Riel (22 October 1844–16 November 1885) was a Canadian politician, a founder of the province of Manitoba, and leader of the Métis people of the Canadian prairies. He led two resistance movements against the Canadian government and its first post-Confederation Prime Minister, Sir John A. Macdonald. Riel sought to preserve Métis rights and culture as their homelands in the Northwest came progressively under the Canadian sphere of influence. He is regarded by many as a Canadian folk hero today.

The first resistance was the Red River Rebellion of 1869–1870. The provisional government established by Riel ultimately negotiated the terms under which the modern province of Manitoba entered the Canadian Confederation. Riel was forced into exile in the United States as a result of the controversial execution of Thomas Scott during the rebellion. Despite this, he is frequently referred to as the "Father of Manitoba." While a fugitive, he was elected three times to the Canadian House of Commons, although he never assumed his seat. During these years, he was frustrated by having to remain in exile despite his growing belief that he was a divinely chosen leader and prophet, a belief which would later resurface and influence his actions. He married in 1881 while in exile in Montana, and fathered three children.

Riel returned to what is now the province of Saskatchewan to represent Métis grievances to the Canadian government. This resistance escalated into a military confrontation known as the North-West Rebellion of 1885. It ended in his arrest, trial, and execution on a charge of high treason. Riel was viewed sympathetically in Francophone regions of Canada, and his execution had a lasting influence on relations between the province of Quebec and English-speaking Canada. Whether seen as a Father of Confederation or a traitor, he remains one of the most complex, controversial, and ultimately tragic figures in the history of Canada.

Riel reconsidered

The formerly widespread perception of Louis Riel as an insane traitor, especially outside of the Métis and French Canadian community, weakened considerably since the late 20th century. Riel is regarded by some as a heroic freedom fighter who stood up for his people in the face of racist bigotry, and those who question his sanity still view him as an essentially honourable figure. Riel nevertheless presents an enigma, although as historian J.M.S. Careless has observed, it is possible that Riel was both a murderer and a hero.

On 18 February 2008, the province of Manitoba officially recognized the first Louis Riel Day as a general provincial holiday. It will now fall on the third Monday of February each year in the Province of Manitoba.

Arts, literature and popular culture

In 1925, the French writer Maurice Constantin-Weyer who lived 10 years in Manitoba published in French a fictionalized biography of Louis Riel titled La Bourrasque. An English translation/adaptation was published in 1930: A Martyr's Folly (Toronto, The Macmillan Company), and a new version in 1954, The Half-Breed (New York, The Macaulay Compagny).

Portrayals of Riel's role in the Red River Rebellion include the 1979 CBC television film Riel and Canadian cartoonist Chester Brown's acclaimed 2003 graphic novel Louis Riel: A Comic-Strip Biography.

An opera about Riel entitled Louis Riel was commissioned for Canada's centennial celebrations in 1967. It was an opera in three acts, written by Harry Somers, with an English and French libretto by Mavor Moore and Jacques Languirand. The Canadian Opera Company produced and performed the first run of the opera in September and October, 1967.Comment:  One might compare Riel to someone like Geronimo or Che Guevara in terms of being a freedom fighter with a mixed legacy.

For more on the subject, see Métis Awareness Day and "Hanging" Louis Riel T-Shirts Offend Métis.

Métis Awareness Day

Metis culture alive and well

By Lindsay ChungOn the anniversary of Louis Riel’s execution in 1885, Mark R. Isfeld Secondary School students immersed themselves in Métis history and culture.

Students learned recently about beading, sash weaving, medicinal plants and more during School District 71’s recent Métis Awareness Day.

“We use that day to promote awareness of Métis culture,” said Jackie Lever, the district aboriginal curriculum development teacher. “It’s really important for kids to understand the diversity of the community around them so they’re not just thinking aboriginal and Métis people are in museum cases ... so they understand our history is a part of Canada, perhaps different than the history they are learning in school.”Comment:  What's the biological difference between métis, who are part white and part Indian, and Latinos, who are also part white and part Indian? I don't know.

For more on the subject, see "Hanging" Louis Riel T-Shirts Offend Métis and What's the Difference Between Indian and Latino?

Manitoba play in Métis dialect

Read about a new play written in French Michif, a dialect of Manitoba’s Métis, in my Pictographs blog.

For more on the subject, see Native Plays and Other Stage Shows.

Below:  "Rhéal Cenerini’s newest play, Li Rvenant, features substantial parts of the dialogue in French Michif, a dialct spoken by some Métis in Manitoba."

"Hanging" Louis Riel t-shirts offend Métis

Louis Riel hanging T-shirts offend MétisManitoba Métis groups are outraged about T-shirts being sold online that feature an image of Louis Riel with a noose around his neck.

The image is accompanied by the text, "Hang with me on Louis Riel Day."

Louis Riel Day is a February holiday in Manitoba.

"I really feel disgusted when I see something like that," said Gabriel Dufault, president of the Franco-Métis Association in Manitoba. "It's obviously the work of one with a troubled mind.

"It's racist in nature and I don't see any humour in this at all."

Riel was a former MP and leader of the Métis people, and is considered the founder of the province of Manitoba.

He was hanged for treason in 1885 at the age of 41 after leading Métis resistance in Saskatchewan against the Canadian government.

Today, he is regarded as a folk hero by many for his defence of Métis rights and culture.Comment:  Some online commenters questioned Dufault's reaction to the shirts:We have seen t-shirts depicting the pope, presidents, prime ministers, etc. just as offensive sold on-line.

I could see how someone could deem it in poor taste or even 'offensive' (a grossly overused term in its own right) but racist?

Don't agree or disagree with me: TELL me...HOW is it racist?Show us the t-shirts featuring the pope, presidents, and prime ministers being hanged. Until you do, this shirt singles out a Métis person because of his race-based actions. That makes it discriminatory on the basis of race, or racist.

For more on offensive shirts, see Lucky Brand Sells "White Lightning" T-Shirt and Duluth Shop Sells "Drunk Indian" Shirts.