LOUIS RIEL, FROM HERETIC TO HERO: A NEW HISTORICAL SYNTHESIS By Wesley Brent Bilsky A THESIS SUBMITTED IN PARTIAL FULFILLMENT OF THE REQUIREMENTS FOR THE DEGREE OF BACHELOR OF ARTS Supervisor: Gregg Finley, PhD Second Reader: Aloysius Balawyder, PhD Copy Editor: Judith L. Davids, M.C.S. This Thesis Is Accepted By: _____________________________ Academic Dean ST. STEPHEN’S UNIVERSITY April 16, 2011 Bilsky CONTENTS ABSTRACT ………………………………………………………………………………………...…......... i ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS ………………………………………………………………………..…….... iii PREFACE ……………………………………………………………………………………………....…. iv INTRODUCTION: ALMOST A HERO ………………………………………………………………….... 1 CHAPTER I HISTORICAL REVISIONISM: PURPOSE VERSUS PERCEPTION ….….…………..…... 6 Purpose ……………………………….………………………………………………………………... 6 Perception ……………………………….…………………………………………….……………… 12 Closing the Gap ……………………………….……………………………………...................….… 15 The Historical Window ……………………….……………………………………………………… 18 CHAPTER II REVISING RIEL: FROM REBEL TO MARTYR …………………………..…………..... 21 A Rebel is Born ………………………………………………………….…………………………… 21 A Captivity Narrative ………………………………………………………….……………………... 26 Early Influences ………………………………………………………….………................................ 28 The Metamorphosis Begins – 1869 ……………………………………………………….…….……. 30 Building on Stanley and Morton ………………………………………………….………………….. 36 The Birth of a Martyr – 1885 ………………………………………………….……………...….…... 40 The Charges Challenged …………………………………………………........................................... 46 A Collaborative Future ……………………………………………………………………...…….…. 49 CHAPTER III RIEL: NATIONAL DIVISIONS, RECONCILIATIONS AND FUTURE HEALING ….. 51 Embedded Dichotomies ………………………………………………………...……….…………… 52 Violent Beginnings …………………………………………………………………………………... 60 Colonial Oppression …………………………………………………………..................................... 62 Founding Myths ………………………………………………………………….………………...… 63 Reaching Maturity …………………………………………………………………………………… 66 Historical Reconciliation Begins …………………………………………………………………….. 67 The Domino Effect …………………………………………………………………………………... 69 The Role of Trauma ……………………………………………………………….……………......... 72 CONCLUSION: A HISTORY AS OF YET UNTOLD AND A FUTURE YET UNMADE …………..... 75 ANNOTATED BIBLIOGRAPHY ………………………………………………………………………... 81 i Bilsky ABSTRACT This year marks the 125th anniversary of the execution of the infamous Métis leader Louis Riel for high treason against the Dominion of Canada. In Alexander Begg’s 1871CE account of the Red River Rebellion, Riel was depicted as a heretical, power- hungry, murderous womanizer who tried to overthrow the Dominion. This early account of Riel’s uprising has evolved and has been revised countless times during the past century. Riel has been labeled everything from a heretic to a hero; and currently politicians are working at not only having Riel pardoned, but also ensuring that his conviction is overturned altogether. This type of historical revisionism has traditionally created a strong division among Canadians. Critics fear that the memory of our nation’s time-honored founders and military heroes could be irrevocably despoiled. Whereas supporters are encouraged as minority figures like Riel are finally recognized for their contributions to our nation. As communities all across the nation gather to mark Riel’s anniversary and celebrate this federally mandated ‘Year of the Métis,’ the conflicting sides of this historical dichotomy are closer than ever to agreeing upon a common history. This thesis will define and discuss historical revisionism, which will include how it is utilized in the academic and public spheres. The discussion will include how this historiographical theory is important to the Riel story and what the consequences of its implementation for our nation might be. Then this study will track the evolution of Riel’s legacy found within a wide selection of both academic and fictional works from 1871 to the present to demonstrate the role and legitimacy of the several key amendments. The last chapter will consider the role of trauma, as it is seen from the perspective of psychohistory, on the past present and future development of Canadian national identity/memory. Finally, the thesis will explain the importance of a new historical synthesis for national reconciliation. Moreover, because Riel’s story encompasses the European/Indian, French/English, Protestant/Catholic and East/West national fault-lines it has the potential of leading the way to establishing an overall synthesis of the country‘s past. The work will conclude by arguing that because of the apparent willingness of the Canadian government to reconcile a number of minority grievances following the 1992 federal recognition of Riel as a founder of Manitoba, that a further amendment of Riel’s 1885 legacy may bring Canadians further healing. ii Bilsky ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS In my third term at St. Stephen’s University I began a project on Louis Riel with the intent to investigate the inner workings of the man and his poetry. For various reasons the project was put aside for another time. I did not return to it until my sixth term when I had a BA thesis in mind. During this term, I was introduced to the world of historiography (HIST 380) and pre-confederation Canadian history (HIST 371). These courses led me to widen my focus from Riel as a man to one of regional and then national importance. During this period of broader study I began to make many of the connections found within this thesis—connections that ultimately stem from the SSU curriculum. Here I am thinking of the theories of history (HIST 380), ideas on minority voice and oppression (PHIL 300), postcolonial theory (LIT 375), the importance of a self- defined narrative (HIST 365), paradigm shifts (PHIL 100) and ideas on apartheid (LIT 365). Without the diverse liberal arts curriculum here at SSU, I would not have recognized the multifaceted nature of Riel’s story, nor would I have understood the complex process of how one man’s life has come to represent so much for so many. In other words, this project owes its inspiration to the commitment of SSU and its faculty to provide an atmosphere and curriculum that fosters not only the conveyance of knowledge but also the creation of knowledge. Of course, the research and writing of this thesis was made possible through the support of many. First and foremost, my thanks go out to the unending support of my very longsuffering wife, Gwen. She essentially played the role of a single parent for weeks, even months, on end while I sequestered myself in my office to work. As well, she gave me endless hours of attention as I verbally worked through my thoughts. As always, without her I would be lost. To my three sons, Nate, Ben and Jo-Jo, who sacrificed their much-valued ‘Daddy-time,’ I also say thank you. As a dyslexic person, I would not have accomplished this without the tireless efforts of my copy editor, Judy Davids. I am certain that her ‘red pen’ is nearly out of ink! She has excellent grammar skills and the sharpest of editorial eyes. I would also like to give many thanks to my supervisor, mentor and friend, Dr. Gregg Finley for his sage guidance and for allowing me to utilize his vast historiographical knowledge. My thanks also go out to my great- great-uncle, Dr. Aloysius Balawyder for his encouragement and support as my second reader. Finally, I would like to thank my wife’s parents, Peter and Judy Davids and my parents, Ralph and Mary Bilsky for their encouragement and financial support throughout my degree. Last but not least, I give thanks to God for upholding me during this process. iii Bilsky PREFACE Every historian sets out to write a dispassionate and objective account of his/her topic; yet nothing is without a degree of subjectivity. As a Métis person with a distant Red River heritage, I will endeavor to remain particularly vigilant in this pursuit and attempt to turn my proximity to this subject into a drive for excellence and accuracy. However, I do not foresee this as being much of a problem; because whereas this thesis does indeed deal with the life and legacy of Louis Riel to some degree, that is not its sole focus. For, I am also wrestling with the larger historiographical question: How does the correlation between the theories of revisionist history, psychohistory, the revision of Riel’s legacy and the recent surge of reconciliatory gestures towards Canadian minorities by Parliament indicate that the nation is undergoing a new historical synthesis? In essence Louis Riel’s life and legacy serve as the central example of these larger themes within the present state of Canadian history. Thus, the main body of text within this thesis will not include the usual contextual and biographical details one would expect when reading a work on an historical individual. Rather, I presuppose that my reader’s interests likely include Riel’s story (after all the title bears his name) and that as part of that interest the reader will bring a general knowledge of Riel and his era. However, so as not to leave anyone in the dark, I have provided many explanatory footnotes to either explain various contexts and terms or to point the reader in the direction of works which focus more heavily on the events within Riel’s life. Of course, one is also welcome to consult the somewhat lengthy annotated bibliography found at the end of this thesis for further suggested readings. Also, it must be said that while every endeavor has been made to avoid and correct any errors or biases found within this thesis by myself and my readers/editors,