Archival Images from Archives Manitoba
On November 2, 1869, Louis Riel and his followers took possession of the Hudson's Bay Company's Upper Fort Garry, and later they formed a Provisional Government with Riel as President. To handle this complex problem Prime Minister John A. Madonald appointed Donald A. Smith of the Hudson's Bay Company “Special Commissioner, to enquire into and report upon the causes and extent of the armed obstruction offered at the Red River…” This painting shows part of the crowd of 1,000 who assembled on January 19, 1870, to hear Donald Smith, who was accompanied by Louis Riel, explain his commission.
