This is the third book from the Extraordinary Canadian series that I’ve read, and the best so far. The series seeks to make the story of Canadian historical figures more accessible by producing short texts, written by excellent authors.

Joseph Boyden was an inspired choice to write this biography of Louis Riel and Gabriel Dumont. He is an award-winning author with Metis roots. Mr. Boyden is a great writer – I’ve enjoyed both his novels immensely (Three Day Road and Through Black Spruce). And his writing made this short biography come alive for me. I felt as if I was with Gabriel Dumont as he set out in June, 1884, to ask Louis Riel to return to Canada.

However, this book does assume a certain amount of knowledge about Canadian history and the context in which the events portrayed take place. Without that context, or the background those of us who do read more serious studies bring to the book, we may have increased accessibility, but only up to a point. At best, the book may entice people to learn more about Louis Riel, Gabriel Dumont and the events they helped to shape. At a minimum, people know a little more than they did before. But the book doesn’t explain the significance of the French and English working together in the West even as “The Two Solitudes” was the norm in Central Canada. It doesn’t explain the Catholic-Protestant divide and how that affected politics. Today, a Christian is a Christian and young people think of religious debates as between Christians and those of other faiths – not within the Christian family. The railroad – a major nation-building initiative – was used to subdue a nation, from the Metis perspective. The author doesn’t talk about the significance of the railroad from either of these perspectives. On the other hand, the book does a good job of showing the role of religion and the strong influence of the priests in the Saskatchewan uprising. But, perhaps I’m not being fair as this is a biography – not a history.

What does this book tell us about Louis Riel and Gabriel Dumont? Mr. Riel has been viewed, over time, and by different people as a visionary hero; by others as a misguided religious zealot, if not simply a madman. Mr. Dumont was a successful Metis Chief. They each made brave political decisions which carried them away from a relatively safe life to one filled with danger and unpredictability. They stood up for what they believed in and in so doing, they changed not only their own lives, but also the shape of Canada. Mr. Boyden suggests that the Metis would have been better off had Dumont not brought Riel back to lead them. Dumont was a strong leader and an excellent battlefield tactician. Louis Riel was inspirational, but his religious fervour made him far from pragmatic.

I think this book illustrates exceptionally well two truths. One, that history could have been very different but for single decisions of individuals, such as Gabriel Dumont’s decision to engage Louis Riel in Saskatchewan’s struggle. Second, that history depends very much on perspective. Of all Canada’s historic figures, Louis Riel remains one of the most controversial and enigmatic. Was he a father of confederation or a traitor? A mystic seer or a madman? The website of the Metis National Council notes that “Every November 16th, the Métis Nation gathers in communities across the Homeland to remember our fearless leader, Louis Riel. This day marks the death of this dedicated leader who sacrificed his life in pursuit of recognition and acceptance of our people.” Yet, with one exception, psychiatrists from 1885 to the present have generally agreed that Riel suffered from megalomania. History as perception is clearly evident in any discussion of Louis Riel, even today.

Gabriel Dumont has a much cleaner legacy. Batoche, where the Métis Provisional Government had been formed, has been declared a National Historic Site, including Gabriel Dumont's grave marker. The Gabriel Dumont Institute of Native Studies and Applied Research in Saskatchewan was named in his honour. The Dumont Bridge over the South Saskatchewan River is also named for him. It is located at the site of Gabriel's Crossing, where he ran his small store, billiards hall and ferry service in the late 1870s and early 1880s. There is also a park along the South Saskatchewan in Saskatoon named for him, complete with a statue depicting him on horseback.

In 1884, the Metis were expressing their desire to be recognized by the government as a distinct people with distinct rights and that struggle for recognition continues. An important role of Métis Nation governing bodies is to continue the historical struggle for the recognition of Métis rights. On September 19, 2003, the Supreme Court of Canada delivered its landmark decision in R. v. Powley which recognized and affirmed the existence of Métis as a distinct Aboriginal people with existing rights protected by s. 35 of the Constitution Act, 1982. And on July 21 of this year, the Supreme Court of Canada handed down its unanimous decision in Cunningham v. Alberta which further affirms the recognition of the Métis Nation as a distinct rights-bearing Aboriginal people, and ensures that Métis Settlements in Alberta will continue to be protected and controlled by Métis for Métis for generations to come. Unresolved issues only appear to go away.

In setting up provisional governments in Manitoba (Riel) and later in Saskatchewan, Riel and Dumont provide us with an early example of western-based protest movements. It could be argued that the Social Credit movement, the CCF and even the Reform Party are more modern manifestations of western-based protest movements against central Canadian political and economic power.

Over the years, I’ve read many biographies of leaders from the worlds of business and politics. And I’m beginning to wonder what great leader isn’t blind to at least some realities. They push the envelope, they are visionary, and they take risks despite seemingly impossible odds. Thank goodness there are people in this world who dare to try to make it a better place. ( )

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