* French: This was his native language, as he was born in the Red River Colony, a primarily French-speaking community.
* English: Riel was fluent in English, which he learned through interactions with English-speaking settlers and during his travels in the United States.
* Michif: Riel spoke Michif, a unique language spoken by the Métis people of the Canadian prairies. It is a mix of French and Cree.
* Cree: Riel also had some understanding of the Cree language, which was important for communicating with other Indigenous groups in the region.
While his fluency in each language might have varied, he was definitely multilingual and used these languages for different purposes, such as:
* Negotiating with different groups: He used French with his Métis people, English with the Canadian government, and Cree with Indigenous leaders.
* Writing: He wrote extensively in French and English, including his famous "Manifesto" and political writings.
Therefore, Louis Riel's multilingualism was crucial for his role as a political leader and spokesperson for the Métis people in their struggle for recognition and rights.