A new stamp honouring Louis Riel and the resistance he led 150 years ago to protect Métis people was issued Wednesday in Manitoba.
The Red River Resistance of 1869-70, also known as the Red River Rebellion, led to the creation of the prairie province.
The resistance began in the fall of 1869 with a confrontation between unarmed Métis and land surveyors paving the way for an arrival of settlers.
Following negotiations with the provincial government led by Riel, it ended the following year with the creation of the Manitoba Act of 1870.
The Royal Canadian Mint issued a new coin featuring a portrait of Riel in October to mark the 175th anniversary of his birth. (Royal Canadian Mint/The Canadian Press)
The stamp features Riel and his provisional government councillors with an image of Upper Fort Garry in the background.
It’s the second time in less than a month that Riel has been honoured.
The Royal Canadian Mint issued a new coin featuring Riel’s portrait on Oct. 22, the 175th anniversary of his birth.
It’s the first coin ever to be engraved in Michif, the official language of the Métis nation.
Riel, who was born in St. Boniface, Man.,was 25 when he emerged as the Métis leader.
He was later hanged as a traitor, but in 1992 the federal government officially recognized him as the founder of Manitoba.
His supporters say he should be formally acknowledged as a Father of Confederation.
With files from CBC, CTV, CP
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