Riel House National Historic Site of Canada Management Statement, 2021

Table of contents

• Foreword
• Recommendations
• Introduction
• Management approach
• Management objectives
• Summary of strategic environmental assessment

Maps and figure

• Regional setting
• Site plan of Riel House National Historic Site

Download PDF version (3.2 MB)

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Title: Riel House National Historic Site of Canada Management Statement, 2021

Organization: Parks Canada Agency

Foreword

From coast to coast to coast, national historic sites, national parks and national marine conservation areas are a source of shared pride for Canadians. They reflect Canada’s natural and cultural heritage and tell stories of who we are, including the historic and contemporary contributions of Indigenous peoples.

These cherished places are a priority for the Government of Canada. We are committed to protecting natural and cultural heritage, expanding the system of protected places, and contributing to the recovery of species at risk.

At the same time, we continue to offer new and innovative visitor and outreach programs and activities to ensure that more Canadians can experience these iconic destinations and learn about history, culture and the environment.

In collaboration with Indigenous communities and key partners, Parks Canada conserves and protects national historic sites and national parks; enables people to discover and connect with history and nature; and helps sustain the economic value of these places for local and regional communities.

This new management plan for Riel House National Historic Site of Canada supports this vision.

Management plans are developed by a dedicated team at Parks Canada through extensive consultation and input from Indigenous partners, other partners and stakeholders, local communities, as well as visitors past and present. I would like to thank everyone who contributed to this plan for their commitment and spirit of cooperation.

As the Minister responsible for Parks Canada, I applaud this collaborative effort and I am pleased to approve the Riel House National Historic Site of Canada Management Plan.

Recommendations

Recommended by:

Introduction

Parks Canada manages one of the finest and most extensive systems of protected natural and historic areas in the world. The Agency’s mandate is to protect and present these places for the benefit and enjoyment of current and future generations. This management statement outlines Parks Canada’s management approach and objectives for Riel House National Historic Site of Canada in Winnipeg, Manitoba.

Riel House National Historic Site of Canada represents a late 19th-century Métis farm and home. The grounds and the house, the only heritage structure remaining on the site, were transferred into the care of the Government of Canada in 1969 and designated of national historic significance in 1976. Although Louis Riel never lived here, the site and home are intimately connected to the Riel family and Louis Riel himself, a pivotal figure in Canadian and Métis culture and history. Louis Riel was designated a person of national historic significance in 1956. His legacy continues to influence the evolving landscape of Winnipeg, the province of Manitoba, and Canada as a nation.

The house’s architectural significance lies in its representation of typical Red River frame construction traditions of the 19th century and its association with traditional Red River lots, an early form of prairie settlement. This system allowed multitudes of families to own land along the river, which they used for access to water and transportation. The house sits upon one of two remaining adjoining traditional Red River lots, purchased by Julie Lagimodière-Riel and her son Louis. Members of the Riel family continued to live in the house until 1967. The site opened to the public in 1980 after the home was restored and furnished to represent the spring of 1886. The house is a Recognized Federal Heritage Building.

Riel House National Historic Site has the distinction of being the only heritage place in Canada where Louis Riel is commemorated as a person of national historic significance and of being a key site in Manitoba that represents the river lot system of the early settlers and that explores 19th century Métis culture and daily life. Parks Canada uses a multiple-perspective approach to reflect the range and complexity of history present at the site.

Management approach

Riel House National Historic Site is administered by Parks Canada’s Manitoba Field Unit from its offices in downtown Winnipeg. The site’s regular operational season is in July and August, but the site is open for school programming in May and June. The Louis Riel Institute, through funding from the Manitoba Metis Federation, works collaboratively with Parks Canada to offer on-site interpretive programming and demonstration activities related to Métis Nation culture from May to August.

Management objectives

Summary of strategic environmental assessment

The purpose of a strategic environmental assessment is to incorporate environmental considerations into the development of public policies, plans, and program proposals to support environmentally sound decision making. In accordance with the Cabinet Directive on the Environmental Assessment of Policy, Plan and Program Proposals (2010), a strategic environmental assessment was conducted on the Riel House National Historic Site Management Statement.

The objectives in the management statement are expected to have positive effects on the level of cultural resource protection and commemorative integrity at Riel House National Historic Site. The management statement will help connect Canadians with nature, thus contributing to the implementation of the Federal Sustainable Development Strategy.

Operations at the site are required to mitigate impacts on climate according to Greening Government requirements in support of the Federal Sustainable Development Strategy. There are no significant negative environmental effects anticipated from the management statement implementation. Individual projects at the site will be evaluated separately under the Impact Assessment Act, or successor legislation, as necessary.

Map 1. Regional setting of Riel House National Historic Site — Text version

A map of south-central Manitoba centred around the city of Winnipeg. All of the Parks Canada sites in the area — Riel House, The Forks, St. Andrew’s Rectory and Lower Fort Garry NHS — are shown, with the location of Riel House highlighted. The site is located in south Winnipeg, near the Red River.

Map 2. Site plan of Riel House National Historic Site — Text version

An aerial image of the Riel House site showing the property boundary and location of the site’s heritage and modern infrastructure.

The infrastructure legend:

1. Riel House
2. Washrooms
3. Garden
4. Orientation node
5. Shed
6. Tent pad
7. Grounds
8. Parking lot