I just read Jared Milne's column (St. Albert Gazette, June 1). His positive comments about Louis Riel are somewhat unwarranted. A few St. Albertans continue to make the man into a hero, when he was far from it. We have Riel Drive, for example.
Riel was initially banished to the U.S. for his involvement in the murder of Thomas Scott at Selkirk. Riel did not commit this murder, or any other, but he supported it and so was banished.
He became a teacher in Montana, and a U.S. citizen. Later, he was persuaded to return to lead the Metis struggle in Saskatchewan. The big battle came at Batoche. Because the Canadian Army was away in Europe – supporting the British – the response to Riel was given to several militia units, from the Maritimes, to B.C., under Gen. Middleton. The militia were not pro soldiers but they left their homes and families to defend the country as best they could. Middleton was unsuited for the task, in my opinion. While he dithered, a unit of mounted infantry, Boulton's Scouts, attacked and captured the bulk of the rebels. Robert Lane, my grandfather, was a member. The battle was supported by a Gatling gun, operated by a U.S. militiaman from New England. The church at Batoche, where Riel took some refuge, contains holes from the gun. Two other Gatlings were sent but arrived later. The B.C. unit involved was Steele's Scouts, which chased Chief Big Bear to the north.
Unquestionably, Riel had courage. But I believe he had a mental health problem. Considering Riel's actions, Bishop Grandin wrote: “Poor Louis ...” Riel had pronounced himself to be a leader of the RC faith (a pope or a bishop?).
He should not have been executed. Today, his mental health and the abolishment of capital punishment would suffice. But, at the execution, because Riel was then a U.S. citizen, he was asked if he wished to appeal to the U.S. president. He wrote a note, which was revealed to be a request that the U.S. invade Canada to set free the Metis and Indians.
This account might contain a few small errors. Jared can correct me.
Robert K. Lane, PhD, St. Albert
