Of French and Métis parentage, Riel grew up in the Red River Settlement in what is now Manitoba, whose establishment in 1870 he precipitated by leading a revolt of Métis and indigenous peoples against the transfer of the Hudson's Bay Company territory to Canada. Riel was outlawed for his role in the rebellion, but that did not deter him from leading a similar uprising in Saskatchewan in 1884. This time, however, he was captured by Canadian authorities and executed. Why was his penalty so harsh? Discuss (http://forum.thefreedictionary.com/postst47762_Louis-Riel---Father-of-Manitoba---Executed-for-Treason--1885-.aspx)