
Riel's Defence
Perspectives on His Speeches
Hans V. Hansen(Author)
McGill-Queen's University Press
Will be published approx. on 1. June 2014
Book
Hardback
344 pages
978-0-7735-4335-5 (ISBN)
Description
In 1885, Louis Riel was charged with high treason, found guilty, and consequently executed for his role in Saskatchewan's North-West Rebellion. During his trial, the Metis leader gave two speeches, passionately defending the interests of the Metis in western Canada as well as his own life. Riel's Defence studies these speeches, demonstrating the range of Riel's political and personal concerns. The first and better known of the two speeches addresses the jury, while Riel's second speech - rarely reprinted - addresses the court following his guilty verdict. Both orations have been edited, annotated, and reprinted, and are followed by essays from diverse perspectives including philosophy, law, history, political science, religion, and communication studies. Through the course of their inquiry, contributors come to understand more about Riel's personal character and political thought, as well as his arguments supporting Metis land claims, grievances against the federal government, and his immigration plan for the North-West. Evaluating the rhetorical quality, legal merit, and cultural stakes of his speeches, Riel's Defence reveals the significance of the last public statements made by a man who indelibly shaped Canada's history by combining his personal vision with a national vision.
Reviews / Votes
"Riel's Defence is an outstanding volume of interlocking but distinctive analyses. Riel has been the subject of a good deal of scholarship, but much of it focuses on historical considerations of his biography and politics. These essays treat his speeches as important rhetorical and philosophical documents in their own right and open them to new consideration by scholars and the wider public." Scott L. Pratt, Department of Philosophy, University of Oregon "This collection offers new understandings into Riel's political, philosophical, and religious beliefs as well as the manner in which he sought to articulate and defend these ideas at what was undoubtedly the most critical juncture of his life. By employi "This volume of essays is relevant to anyone interested in exploring Riel's speeches and other narratives associated with the continuing colonial relationship between Canada and its indigenous and Metis peoples. [It] gestures toward a future for Riel stud "The book promises to provoke thoughtful consideration of the speeches and their impact on one of the most important legal events in the history of Canadian and indigenous communities." University of Toronto QuarterlyMore details
Language
English
Place of publication
Montreal
Canada
Target group
Professional and scholarly
College/higher education
Dimensions
Height: 229 mm
Width: 152 mm
Weight
624 gr
ISBN-13
978-0-7735-4335-5 (9780773543355)
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Schweitzer Classification
Other editions
Additional editions

E-Book
06/2014
MQUP
€55.99
Available for download

E-Book
06/2014
1st Edition
De Gruyter
€30.49
Available for download
Person
Hans V. Hansen is professor of philosophy at the University of Windsor.