Watch Past Interview with Wilf Gaylearv of Riel Co Productions
NEW WESTMINSTER, BC – History is being made with the first-ever performances of the Trial of Louis Riel play in British Columbia on November 15 and Louis Riel Day November 16 presented by the BC Métis Federation.
Now in its 47th year of production, the Trial of Louis Riel is being performed by RielCo Productions Inc. at the Columbia Theatre in New Westminster for three shows. The play was written as a Centennial project in 1967 by John Coulter, and is based on the transcripts of the famous “Trial of Louis Riel” in 1885 at Regina.
“This is a historic moment for the Métis community in BC. We are very excited to have such a notable play performed in the province in time for Louis Riel Day,” said Keith Henry, President of the BC Métis Federation. “We hope these performances will continue to educate about a significant part of Canadian history.”
Louis David Riel was a Canadian politician, a founder of the province of Manitoba, and a political and spiritual leader of the Métis people of the Canadian prairies.
Riel led two resistance movements against the Canadian government and its first post-Confederation prime minister, Sir John A. Macdonald. Riel sought to preserve Métis rights and culture as their homelands in the Northwest came progressively under the Canadian sphere of influence.
The evening performance of the Trial of Louis Riel on Friday, November 15 will be preceded by a gala reception that will include Métis food.
“We invite the public to come support this great Canadian heritage play,” said Henry.
For more information, please visit www.ravenevents.ca/upcoming-events.
Media Contact:
Hollie Baptiste, Manager Communications, Raven Events and Communications
hollie@ravenevents.ca, 1-604-312-3498
