Louis Riel was a very accomplished individual in his lifetime. Here are just some of his major accomplishments:

Lead a major rebellion to take over Fort Garry (Center of fur trade in Red River area) and got hostages
Made a provisional (temporary) government and became spokesperson of the Métis  
Rebelled against the government
Elected to the House of Commons three times, but he never took his seat
Was exiled by the Canadian government
Negotiated with the Canadian government to create the Manitoba Act