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VERY HISTORIC AND IMPORTANT PLAINS CREE PIPE BAG

Currency:USD Category:Clothing, Shoes & Accessories Start Price:15,000.00 USD Estimated At:30,000.00 - 60,000.00 USD
VERY HISTORIC AND IMPORTANT PLAINS CREE PIPE BAG
VERY HISTORIC AND IMPORTANT PLAINS CREE PIPE BAG WHICH FORMALLY BELONGED TO LOUIS RIEL. CIRCA 1880'S. Louis Riel was perhaps one of the most controversial figures in Canadian history. His position as a leader in the resistance against the Canadian government have led some people to compare him to Jefferson Davis in the United States in regards to his position during the Civil War. Riel was born in 1844 in Red River Settlement, which is now today known as Manitoba. Riel was both intelligent and educated, and eventually became a leader amongst the Métis of Red River. In 1869-1870 a provisional government was established in this region, and Riel headed that government, which later successfully negotiated with the Canadian government to establish the Manitoba Act that created the new province of Manitoba and also allowed for some protection for the French language rights. Riel was a half-breed of French-Indian mix, and sometime, after the Manitoba act was established, moved to the State of Montana in the U.S. where, in 1884, he was teaching in a Jesuit Mission. At that time representatives of the Métis came to Montana and asked Riel to once again represent them in their grievances with the Canadian government. This time Riel was unsuccessful, and in 1885 a provisional government was declared. A short-lived rebellion ensued in 1885, and although Riel himself never carried arms or personally fought himself he was the unquestioned political and spiritual head of the rebellion. He was later captured, and on November 16, 1885 hung in Regina. His execution was much opposed particularly in the French speaking regions of Canada such as Quebec, and his death, and some of what it represented, has had long-lasting political ramifications in Canada. This tobacco pouch was purchased some years back at a house sale. Later the owner discovered within the bag an earlier twentieth century penned notation which reads as follows: This tobacco pouch was formerly the property of Louis Riel, a half-breed, French/Canadian who defied the government of Canada resulting in what was known as the Riel Rebellion in the years 1869 through 1870. General Wolselen (General's name hard to read, but believe that is the correct spelling) ended his long march from Ontario to Winnipeg by capturing Riel who was afterward executed. Signed F. P. MacDonald, Dobb's Ferry, April 3rd, 1934". In contacting the Dobb's Ferry Historical Society, we learned that the gentleman who penned the note was Finlay Philip MacDonald who died in 1941 at the age of 91. He was born in Ross Shire, Scotland in 1851, son of Evan and Ann McTosh MacDonald. He immigrated to Canada in 1867 and worked for the Canadian Southern Railroad. He retired as an executive of Michigan Central Railroad and moved to Dobb's Ferry in his later years to live with his daughter. It is obvious that MacDonald had arrived in Canada and lived in Canada at the time of Riel's Rebellion. Bag is constructed of native tanned deerskin with the characteristic Plains Cree geometric beadwork in the overlay technique. Multiple small squares of various colors combine to form complex designs such as the dbl hourglasses in the two main beaded panels of this bag. Hollow brass beads strung at the base of the fringes along the bottom of the bag as well as a picot edge beadwork along the margins of the four tabs at the opening. Accompanying this lot is the orig. handwritten note by F. P. MacDonald concerning the ownership and history Dobbs Ferry dated 1939 found in the bag, some photocopied information on the life of Louis Riel, and a printout of information and history of F. P. MacDonald. Also included is an 1886 photograph of a Louis Riel drawing. This is a truly rare opportunity to acquire a personal effect of one of Canada's most historical figures. Probably one of the only items of Riel's to be offered at public auction in many years. Size: Overall length 34". Bag proper 17" x 5-3/4". CONDITION: Typical aged surface soiling, some fringes a bit stiff, top of one side seam open for two inches, four one-inch sections of picot edge beadwork missing. Otherwise fine. 4-56964 (30,000-60,000)"