Louis David Riel ( , ; 22 October 1844 -- 16 November 1885 ) was a Canadian politician , a founder of the province of Manitoba , and a political and spiritual leader of the Métis people of the Canadian prairies .
Louis David Riel ( 22 October 1844 -- 16 November 1885 , pronounced ( Loo-E Ree-L ) in English ) was a Canadian politician . He founded the province of Manitoba and was a leader of the Métis people of the Canadian prairies .