Long Lost Riel Poem Donated To U of S Library

Long Lost Riel Poem Donated To U of S Library

Thursday, November 16, 2006 at 10:36

 

 

A librarian who discovered a poem written by Louis Riel in his last days says the work is very positive, given Riel’s desperate situation.

 

Today, on the anniversary of Riel’s execution, the University of Saskatchewan is unveiling the original copy of a poem written by the Métis leader while he was sitting in jail.

 

The two-page poem was sent to the U of S library earlier this year by a woman in Ontario.

 

How she wound up with the work is unclear, but librarian Donna Canevari says library officials are thrilled to add it to their collection.

 

Canevari says Riel apparently wrote the poem for his jailer, Robert Gordon of the RCMP, to read.

 

She says despite the grim situation Riel found himself in, the poem is quite uplifting.

 

Canevari notes Riel signed the work “Louis David Riel”, which he only did when in a spiritual frame of mind.

 

Leaders from the Métis community are on hand for today’s official unveiling.