Peterborough Museum and Archives Museum Director Susan Neale, members of the MNO Peterborough and District Wapiti Métis Council Chair, Peterborough Mayor Daryl Bennett, MNO President Margaret Froh, MNO Peterborough and District Wapiti Métis Council President Andy Dufrane, City of Peterborough Community Services Policy Analyst/Recreation Division Coordinator Rob Anderson and Peterborough Museum & Archives Curator Kim Reid were present for a special viewing of Louis Riel’s accordion on July 10 at the museum’s curatorial centre. Click here to view a larger version
On July 10, Métis Nation of Ontario (MNO) President Margaret Froh along with representatives from the MNO Peterborough and District Wapiti Métis Council and Peterborough Mayor Daryl Bennett visited the Peterborough Museum and Archives for a special viewing of Louis Riel’s accordion.
The following month, the accordion was displayed in the lobby at Showplace Performance Centre during the MNO Annual General Assembly in Peterborough.
According to information the museum has on file, the accordion was found in the belongings of Louis Riel in Batoche and was taken by Canadian solider Walter Stewart after the 1885 Resistance in which many Peterborough men served.
The accordion has the initials “L.D.R” inscribed on it.
It was donated to the original Peterborough museum more than 100 years ago.
In 2002, the Peterborough Museum contacted the Saint-Boniface Museum suggesting that the accordion should be given back to the Métis. At that time, Saint-Boniface said they would be happy to discuss this option.
Posted: Sept. 24, 2018