Louis David Riel ( 22 October 1844 -- 16 November 1885 , in English ) was a Canadian politician . He founded the province of Manitoba and was a leader of the MÃ tis people of the Canadian prairies . Louis David Riel ( ; 22 October 1844 -- 16 November 1885 ) was a Canadian politician , a founder of the province of Manitoba , and leader of the MÃ tis people of the Canadian prairies .