WAG apologizes for Louis Riel post

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This article was published 18/02/2025 (233 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

The Winnipeg Art Gallery has apologized for a social-media post showing a local artist’s depiction of Louis Riel standing next to a noose on the holiday honouring his role as the founder of Manitoba.

Diana Thorneycroft’s piece A People’s History (Louis Riel) was shared on the gallery’s Instagram account Monday to mark Louis Riel Day. The 2010 piece, which is part of Thorneycroft’s 16-image A People’s History series, uses figurines to depict Riel standing on a gallows beside a noose, surrounded by black birds.

The post had been deleted by Tuesday afternoon, and the art gallery shared a message saying the image was “not the right choice for Louis Riel Day.” It thanked people who had expressed their concerns about the post.

On Wednesday, Catherine Maksymiuk, WAG-Qaumajuq’s head of engagement and advancement, told the Free Press via email that the WAG recognized the image was inappropriate under the circumstances and responded to complaints.

“The gallery is making important strides to address historic imbalances and this can be seen through initiatives such as Tracey Fehr’s Honouring our Métis Mothers project unveiled this past weekend, Lita Fontaine’s Winyan show currently on view, and the recent Kwaata-nihtaawakihk: A Hard Birth exhibition; however, the online posting of Thorneycroft’s Riel image shared in the context of Louis Riel Day — a day meant to celebrate Métis culture — was not in keeping with this work and sent the wrong message,” she said.

“We received feedback that the work was offensive to some members of the community, and we have deleted the post, a decision which the artist supported. We apologize for any harm caused.”

Thorneycroft said she was consulted about the issue and agrees with the gallery’s decision to remove the post.

“The Winnipeg Art Gallery made the right decision,” she said in an email to the Free Press. “Context is important.”

As the Métis leader of the Red River Resistance of 1869-70, Riel was instrumental in drafting the rights that formed the basis of the Manitoba Act, passed by Parliament in 1870, which led to Manitoba becoming Canada’s fifth province.

Thorneycroft provided an artist’s statement on her People’s History series, which she describes as an exploration of “horrific events committed in Canada against our most vulnerable citizens.”

“In making this work, I do not intend to mock or diminish the traumas that occurred. Rather, my intention is to consider what took place, why it took place, why it took place here, and reflect it back to all of us for whom it resonates,” the statement reads.

“From this angle, perhaps we can begin to understand these events, and maybe learn something about ourselves that we may not like, that we need to address.”

A People’s History (Louis Riel) is currently displayed at the Winnipeg Art Gallery’s WAG@The Park exhibit at the Pavilion at Assiniboine Park.

malak.abas@freepress.mb.ca