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Louis Riel

Louis Riel was a key figure in the Métis resistance to Canadian expansion in the post-Confederation era. The voice of the Métis people, he tried to negotiate terms with the Canadian government, efforts that were foiled by the 1870 execution of Ontario agitator Thomas Scott. Exiled, Riel returned to Canada in 1885. Again, he set up a provisional government, but a skirmish between Métis and North West police at Duck Lake touched off the North West Rebellion. The Canadian government sent a military force westward, and the uprising was crushed. Riel was arrested, charged with treason and hanged on November 16, 1885, leaving a complicated and controversial legacy — a hero to some, a traitor to others. Regardless, his actions revealed the schisms (regional, cultural and linguistic) that were inherent to the new nation of Canada.

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We travelled across Canada with stops in the cities listed below. Thank you to everyone who shared their ideas with us during our kiosk activities and our roundtable discussions.

Province City Date Venue
British Columbia Vancouver November 9 Vancouver Public Library
British Columbia Vancouver November 10 Vancouver Flea Market
Newfoundland St. John's November 20 Memorial University of Newfoundland
Newfoundland St. John's November 20 Centre scolaire et communautaire des Grands-Vents
Nova Scotia Halifax November 21 Canadian Museum of Immigration at Pier 21
Nova Scotia Halifax November 22 Halifax Stanfield International Airport
New Brunswick Fredericton November 23 Crowne Plaza Fredericton Lord Beaverbrook Hotel
Alberta Edmonton December 4 Prince of Wales Armouries
Alberta Edmonton December 5 University of Alberta
Ontario Toronto December 11 Toronto Reference Library
Ontario Toronto December 12 Centennial College
Saskatchewan Saskatoon January 15 Radisson Hotel Saskatoon
Saskatchewan Saskatoon January 16 The Mall at Lawson Heights
Quebec Montréal January 24 Promenades Cathédrale
Quebec Montréal January 24 Salon Cartier 1, Centre Mont-Royal
Quebec Gatineau January 31 Canadian Museum of Civilization