An Aboriginal Presence

An Aboriginal Presence

Louis Riel (1844-1885)

In 1869, the Métis of Red River formed a provisional government. After negotiating unsuccessfully with the Government of Canada for its recognition, Louis Riel led a resistance in 1870, confronting a British military expedition requested by Prime Minister John A. MacDonald. Branded a traitor, Riel fled to the United States. After the Métis resistance of 1885, Riel was arrested and hanged for high treason.

In 1982, the Canadian Constitution recognized the Métis as one of the Aboriginal peoples in Canada. In 2001, the Ontario Court of Appeal [R v. Powley] recognized the Métis as a "distinct people" with constitutional rights comparable to those of First Nations.

"My people will sleep for 100 years, and when they awake, it will be the artists who give them back their spirit."

Louis Riel

(left) Louis Riel (detail) Courtesy of the Glenbow Museum, NA-1039-1 (right) Coat Métis Manitoba About 1885 Animal hide, glass beads, fur and metal Canadian Museum of Civilization, E-111, CD2001-140-006 This coat is said to have belonged to Louis Riel.

Autograph book About 1885 Canadian Museum of Civilization, 996.2.2, CD98-85-034 and CD98-85-041 This autograph book includes the signature of Louis David Riel, as well as those of the men who were imprisoned with him. They are Métis, First Nations and non-Aboriginal people arrested during the 1885 rebellion. The Métis were not the only people involved in the rebellion. Cree, Dakota, Assiniboine, Ojibwa, Irish, Scots and French also supported Riel's cause. This book also includes the signatures of Big Bear and Poundmaker.