The Legacy of Louis Riel provides an overview of the ideas that guided the leader of the Mé tis people. Louis Riel was a prolific writer. Based on a comprehensive review of Riel's writing, the author examines Riel's views on vital subjects, including the term Mé tis, Mé tis identity, "Indians," Jews, Islam, Quebec, French Canadians, the United States, women, liberalism, and Mé tis unity. This exploration of discovery and rediscovery will inspire other academic adventurers and the broad public to investigate other little-known aspects of Riel's 19th intellectual milieu so that we can better understand the man, his times and the momentous events that occurred. The Legacy of Louis Riel helps answer the critical question: "Why does Louis Riel matter?"