Jennifer Reid and her book Louis Riel and the Creation of Modern Canada

This is a conversation with Dr Jennifer Reid of the University of Maine about her book Louis Riel and the Creation of Modern Canada.

Since he was tried and hanged for treason in November of 1885, Louis Riel has been the subject of more histories, biographies, novels, and poetry than any other figure in Canadian history. Politician, founder of Manitoba, and leader of the aboriginal Métis people, Riel led two resistance movements against the Canadian government: the Red River Uprising of 1869-70, and the North-West Rebellion of 1885, in defense of Métis and other minority rights.

Against the backdrop of these legendary uprisings, Jennifer Reid examines Riel's religious background, the mythic significance that has consciously been ascribed to him, and how these elements combined to influence Canada's search for a national identity. Reid's study provides a framework for rethinking the geopolitical significance of the modern Canadian state, the historic role of Confederation in establishing the country's collective self-image, and the narrative space through which Riel's voice speaks to these issues.

Jennifer Reid's profile
http://www.farmington.edu/faculty/jenniferreid.php
jreid@maine.edu

Click to learn more (podcast)
http://archive.org/details/JenniferReidAndHerBookLouisRielAndTheCreationOfModernCanada

Citations

APA

Ouellette, Robert-Falcon. (Director) (2012. April 17). At the Edge of Canada: Indigenous Research. Jennifer Reid and her book Louis Riel and the Creation of Modern Canada [Audio podcast]. Retrieved from http://www.attheedgeofcanada.com  

MLA

Ouellette, Robert-Falcon, dir. "Brett Jennifer Reid and her book Louis Riel and the Creation of Modern Canada." At the Edge of Canada: Indigenous Research.. N.p., 17 2012. web. 17 April 2012. < http://www.attheedgeofcanada.com ›