Revealing Riel

Date: Friday Nov. 15
Open to the public: 11 am - 4 pm
Historian Speaker: 1-2 pm
Private ceremony: 9 - 10:30 am
Cost: Free
Ages: All Ages
Parking: Paid parking available on site

In honour of Alberta Métis Week, visit The Confluence for an intimate one-day exhibition that offers a glimpse into the personal life of Louis Riel through authentic letters and diaries.

The collection includes letters between Riel and his close family members, as well as Riel’s personal diary and a written account of the trial that found him guilty of treason and led to his execution on Nov. 16, 1885. Riel was the founder of Manitoba and leader of the Métis resistance against the Canadian Government.

To complement the exhibition, Associate Professor Dr. Craig Ginn will give a presentation at 1 pm and additional interpretation about Métis culture will be available throughout the The Confluence Cultural Centre. Admission to the cultural centre will be free all day to reduce barriers and encourage community to commemorate Alberta Métis Week.

Reframing Riel: Faith-filled and Courageous Leader
A multi-media performance by Dr. Craig Ginn

Friday, Nov. 15, 1-2 pm

This presentation by Dr. Craig Ginn reframes Louis Riel, countering the narrative that demonizes Riel as a cult leader. The presentation features a music performance accompanied with videos showing Riel to be a man of faith who fought to defend the Métis people, also highlighting his resolve facing execution. Songs include "Lead My People" presenting Riel as the leader of the Métis people, "I Cannot Escape" condensing select thoughts and statements by Riel around the time of his arrest and sentencing, and "Call This Land," celebrating the naming of Manitoba. 

Dr. Ginn is an Associate Professor (Teaching) in the Department of Classics and Religion and serves as the Director of the International Indigenous Studies Program at the University of Calgary. Craig is a musician-scholar and develops open-access multi-media projects that acknowledge Indigenous histories through music and education, including the Songs of Justice Project and the Animal Kinship Project. He has released two albums, Songs of Justice (2021) and Spirit to Be (2024). He is active in interdisciplinary research also, serving as a Co-Investigator in a community-based study exploring links between health, spirituality, and wellbeing within the Métis Nation of Alberta.

Private Ceremony

Friday, Nov. 15, 9-10:30 am

The Métis community is invited to attend an opening ceremony and exhibition viewing. This portion of the day is closed to the general public. To request an invitation, contact Carmen Lasanté by email at [email protected].  

Revealing Riel is presented in partnership

The Revealing Riel exhibition is on loan from the University of Calgary Archives and Special Collections and presented by the Otipemisiwak Métis Government. The Confluence is pleased to provide free admission and space for this important exhibition.