Louis Riel was a Canadian politician and a key figure in the history of Canada. Born on October 22, 1844, in Saint-Boniface, he was a leader of the Métis people, a group of mixed Indigenous and European ancestry. Riel is best known for his role in the Red River and North-West Rebellions, where he fought for the rights and land of the Métis. Riel's actions led to significant changes in Canadian policy regarding Indigenous rights. After the Red River Rebellion in 1869-70, he helped negotiate the terms of Manitoba's entry into Canada. However, his later rebellion in 1885 resulted in his capture and execution, making him a controversial figure in Canadian history.