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Primary sourcePhotograph1885

Louis Riel Addressing the Jury During His Trial for Treason

Oliver B. Buell · 1885

A photograph showing Louis Riel standing at the railing addressing the jury during his 1885 treason trial in Regina.

This photograph captures Riel himself speaking in his own defence during his treason trial.

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Black and white photograph of a crowded courtroom. A bearded man in a dark suit stands at a railing facing rows of seated men in suits and hats, with spectators in the gallery behind. Wooden furniture and a tall paneled door are visible.
Oliver B. Buell, Louis Riel addressing the jury during his trial for treason, 1885.

About this source

What it is

This photograph by Oliver B. Buell shows a crowded courtroom with a bearded man in a dark suit standing at a railing, facing seated jurors and onlookers in the gallery. It is identified as showing Louis Riel addressing the jury during his trial for treason.

Why it matters

This is described as the only image of Riel inside the Regina courtroom during his 1885 trial, one of the most significant trials in Canadian history. It captures the moment Riel spoke in his own defence, a trial that became a lasting symbol of conflict between Métis and francophone communities and the Canadian government.

Look closer

  • What can you tell about the formality and seriousness of the trial from the room and the people in it?
  • Why might a photographer have wanted to capture this particular moment?
  • What does the photo not show us about what Riel actually said?

This photograph is part of the curated material that grounds the AI version of Louis Riel on Humy.ai — when students ask about related events, the AI can quote it and cite it.

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