Louis Riel's great-great niece proudly defends her uncle's legacy ー but doesn't think he should be exonerated
In one narrative, Louis Riel was a traitor, who was hanged for treason after mounting a rebellion against Canada. In another, he's a brave defender of the Métis people and founding father of Manitoba, which has led some to call for his posthumous exoneration. Piya speaks with Jean Teillet, great-great niece of Riel, about her pride in his legacy.
People have called for the political leader of the Métis people to be posthumously absolved of his past
This story was originally published on May 10, 2019.
In one narrative, Louis Riel was a traitor who was hanged for treason after mounting a rebellion against Canada. In another, he's a brave defender of the Métis people and founding father of Manitoba... which has led some to call for his posthumous exoneration.
Piya speaks with Jean Teillet, great-great niece of Riel, about her pride in his legacy, why she thinks exoneration's not the answer... and what she makes of those in her own family who disagree with her.
This story appears in the Out in the Open episode, "Legacy Projects".