A Stamp with a Story

To begin with, Louis Riel had an extensive Canadian political career. He was appointed president of the Métis National Committee in 1869, which then became the government of the Red River Settlement. It became a formal provisional government at the end of the year. He later lead the creation of the Provisional Government of Assiniboia (the Red River Settlement area), to negotiate the addition of the region to Canada’s constitution. Also, Riel was twice elected into and expelled from the House of Commons representing the constituency of Provencher. John A. Macdonald may have been more well known as a powerful politician, but Louis Riel unquestionably made a strong political statement within the confines of his heritage.