Riel House National Historic Site of Canada

Cultural Heritage

On-Line Tour

Riel House
© Parks Canada

Spring 1886. A house in mourning. The black cross mounted on the roof signals the family's grief. Louis David Riel, founding father of the province of Manitoba, was father, brother, husband and son to his family and his execution for treason, barely six months earlier, left the inhabitants of this house in deep sadness.

This is the world that you walk into at Riel House National Historic Site; the world of the Riel family and their people, the Métis, after the decisive battle at Batoche where Métis dreams of their own country suffered a severe setback.

Riel House Parlour
© Parks Canada

In the living room, there are more signs of grief-black crepe draped over a picture of Louis Riel, who lay in state in the home for two days before his burial in the cemetery at St. Boniface Cathedral. But there are also signs of the necessity of day-to-day living and of Métis culture. Store-bought items such as oil lamps and clocks, sit alongside the handmade rawhide-strung chairs and homespun cloth. The blend of European and aboriginal cultures, a hallmark of the Métis, is also evident. A hammock (wewepisoni) for the baby, more aboriginal in custom, is used alternately with the more European-influenced cradle.

Riel House Stove
© Parks Canada

On the other side of the room, there is evidence of the reality of prairie winters-the cast iron stove. With reflectors placed all around it, the stove would be the centre of activity in the winter as all 12 of the home's inhabitants sought its warmth. Twelve people may seem a lot for this house, but the Riel family were relatively well off compared to many other settlers, who would fit as many people into a smaller space.

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