Why should Louis Riel be pardoned?

Answer 1

A pardon is a form of forgiveness for having been found guilty of committing a crime. If a person receives a pardon, it implies that the person acknowledges his or her guilt.

There is a considerable body of opinion, however, that Louis Riel was wrongfully convicted, and that his conviction should be overturned posthumously. Overturning Riel's conviction would mean that an innocent man had been executed.

Answer 2

Louis Riel should be pardoned posthumously because his actions were motivated by a desire to protect the rights of the Métis people and fight for their land rights. His leadership during the Red River and North-West Rebellions was instrumental in bringing attention to the grievances of the Métis and First Nations peoples. Pardoning Riel would acknowledge the historical injustices committed against Indigenous communities by the Canadian government.