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Recent News and Events
THREE ARCHIVES SALUTE LOUIS RIEL
6/16/2003
NEWS RELEASE - RIEL EVENT
For immediate release
THREE ARCHIVES SALUTE LOUIS RIEL
Regina, June 12, 2003 - CanWest Global Communications Corp., the Library and Archives of Canada and the Saskatchewan Archives Board will reveal a new addition to Canada s documentary heritage at the Saskatchewan Archives on June 20, 2003.
The new acquisition, recently obtained by the Ottawa Citizen archives, is a Letter to the Editor written by Louis Riel on November 9, 1885, seven days before his execution. In the letter, Riel expresses his gratitude to then Ottawa Daily Citizen editor, James Johnson, for his leniency toward the Prophet of the New World. In August 1885, the paper s Editorial Notes included the text: These men are to be pitied. Many of their families are suffering today in consequence of their acts. We believe the country at large would approve of their being pardoned, or of receiving light punishment. No doubt they will profit by their present experience.
The Ottawa Citizen s letter will be exhibited for the first time along with a selection of original Riel documents from the collections of the Saskatchewan Archives and the Library and Archives of Canada. These include Riel s 1885 diary, his last letter to his wife and children, a photograph of his children, and a newspaper obituary for Gabriel Dumont, dated May 24, 1906.
David Asper, Vice-President of CanWest Global Communications Corp., National Archivist Ian E. Wilson, and Provincial Archivist Trevor Powell will host the opening of this exhibition. They are pleased not only to salute Louis Riel, and to honour his influential role in shaping our nation, but also to participate in National Aboriginal Day celebrations and those for the City of Regina Centennial.
A reception by invitation only will take place at 2 p.m. on June 20, 2003, at the Saskatchewan Archives, 3303 Hillsdale Street, Regina. The exhibition will be open to the public from June 23 to July 11, 2003, between 9 a.m. and 4:00 p.m. (Closed weekends and holidays). Admission is free.
For further information please contact:
Regina, Saskatchewan Archives Board: Chris Gebhard, tel: (306) 787-3381
Ottawa, The Ottawa Citizen: Barbara Owens, tel: (613) 596-3672
Ottawa, Library and Archives of Canada: Louisa Coates, tel: (613) 992-9361
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