Exovedate facts for kids
The Exovedate was a special council formed by Métis leader Louis Riel during the North-West Rebellion in Canada. Riel gave this name to his council, which was part of his Provisional Government of Saskatchewan.
Louis Riel had a strong belief that he was chosen to lead the Métis people. He felt this mission was similar to how Moses led the Jewish people in ancient times. Because of this, Riel even took the middle name "David" and called himself "the prophet of the new world."
What Was the Exovedate?
Louis Riel created the Exovedate in March 1885 to help him achieve his goals for the Métis people. Each member of the council was called an Exovede.
The word "Exovedate" was invented by Riel himself. It comes from two Latin words: ex, meaning "out of," and ovis, meaning "sheep." So, "Exovedate" means "chosen from the flock," suggesting that the members were specially selected.
Who Were the Exovedes?
The Exovedate council had twenty men. Important members included Gabriel Dumont and Honoré Jackson. Most of the members were Métis. However, the council also included two French Canadians, Sioux chief White Cap, and Honoré Jackson. Jackson was a white, English-speaking Methodist man who was also the first person to join Riel's new religious ideas.
Why Was the Exovedate Formed?
The main goal of the Exovedate was to improve life for the Métis people. At this time, the Métis were facing more and more difficulties, including poverty and being pushed aside. This was happening even though Riel had successfully helped create the province of Manitoba in 1870.
The Exovedate also served as a way for Riel to share his strong religious beliefs. The council members declared Riel "a prophet in the service of Jesus Christ and Son of God and only Redeemer of the world."
The Exovedate held its last meeting on March 31, 1885, just before the Métis were defeated in the North-West Rebellion.
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