Riel House
330 River Road
Riel House, a clapboard-faced log house with a mourning cross
on the roof and rail fencing around the yard, is nestled among
modern bungalows and split-levels in St. Vital, a quiet suburb
of Winnipeg.
The building was once part of a farm stretching from the
nearby Red River to the Seine River, in a land use system
in the early Red River settlers adopted from New France- long,
narrow river lots that provided for compact settlement as
well as access to water supply and transportation.
The site is nationally important today because it belonged
to the family of Louis Riel, founder of the Province of Manitoba
and 'prophet' of the Metis. The Metis were the descendants
of Canadian fur traders and native women.
When government surveyors came to Red River in 1869, preparing
for the transfer of the settlements to Canada, the Metis began
to feel that their landholding system and way out of life
were threatened by outsiders who wanted to take over Western
lands without consulting the people that lived there. Louis
Riel, well educated and eloquent, set up a provisional government,
supported by French and English-speaking settlers seeking
a negotiated and impartial agreement with Canada. Riel was
exiled for his involvement in the execution of a prisoner
at Red River, but returned to Canada from Montana in 1884
to lead a Metis insurrection at Batoche, Saskatchewan. When
this failed, he was charged with treason and executed.
His body was returned to St. Vital and lay in state for two
days in his mother's house before burial at St. Boniface Cathedral.
The Manitoba Free Press of 1885 reported that the body was
in a metallic casket, a small, brilliantly illuminated altar
at his head, and "the wife of Riel lay on a bed on one
side of the room…while Mme Riel, mother of the deceased,
in the midst of grief, swung in a hammock in which lay the
elder child…"
The family has never doubted Riel's charges against him.
Mme Julie earlier told a reporter: "I think…that
he meant no harm to anyone and he was not working for his
own interests. He has always been in trouble since 1869 and
he is still in trouble; but he is in God's hands and I must
leave him there…" Riel said of his life: "…I
have always believed that I acted honestly and the time will
come when the people of Canada will see and acknowledge it."
Louis had only made brief visits to the St. Vital home, but
his young wife Marguerite and their two children returned
here after Batoche, and it was here that Marguerite died in
May 1886.
The house has now been restored and refurbished to its appearance
in the spring of 1886, six months after Riel's death. Visitors
will learn about the occupations, way of life and culture
of the Riel and Lagimodiere families.
Excerpt from an original letter written in French by
Riel.
Regina Jail
16 November, 1885
My Dear Mother,
It is two hours past midnight. Good Father Andre told me
this morning to hold myself ready for tomorrow. I listen to
him and obey.
Yesterday and today I have prayed for God to strengthen you
and grant you all his gently comfort so that your heart may
not be troubled by pain and anxiety.
I embrace you all with the greatest affection… you
my dear mother,…you my dear wife,… my dear little
children.
Please by joyful,
Dear Mother,
I am your affectionate, submissive and obedient son.
Louis David Riel
On the clear cold morning of 16 November, 1885, Louis Riel-
leader of the Red River Resistant in 1869 and at Batoche in
1885- founder of the province of Manitoba- prophet of the
Metis people- was hanged at the North West Mounted Police
Jail in Regina. So passed one of the most tragic and misunderstood
figures in Canada's past.
* provided by Parks Canada
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