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North West Canada Medal (1885): CM.1407-2009

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Object information

Current Location: In storage

Maker(s)

Artist: Wyon, Leonard Charles
Artist: Brock, Thomas
Ruler: Victoria (1837-1901)
Ruler: Victoria regina et imperatrix (With the title of)
Mint: London

Entities

Categories

Description

Colonial Canada's nineteenth-century history did not lack for secessionist movements, all ultimately unsucessful. In 1870 the Canadian Government began to organise settlement in the North-West Territory, and this was resented by the indigenous peoples, including the Métis groups from whom the revolutionary Louis Riel, involved in the earlier Red River rising, sprang. Riel returned from exile in the United States in 1884 and immediately began to agitate for recognition of Métis rights. In 1885, emboldened by lack of Government response, he set up a Provisional Government and proclaimed himself a divinely-chosen leader, and although general support eluded him numerous indigenous groups took the opportunity to rise on their own accounts.
A military response was swiftly forthcoming, and almost all of the Canadian Militia had to be committed to the campaign. Three battles, at the Saskatchewan River, Fish Creek and Batoche, more or less suppressed the various insurgents and the government was able to pacify the Indian discontents with pardons and food supplies. Riel was forced to surrender, and was tried and hanged. He is still regarded as a hero and national father in some Québecois quarters.
This medal was awarded to Trooper J. S Hicks of the Alberta Mounted Rifles. It bears the Saskatchewan bar that was added to the medals of those who had fought in any of the three major battles, so Hicks must have seen combat against the rebels. Lester Watson purchased the medal at some point before 1928.

Notes

History note: Gift of L. Hoyt Watson; ex Lester Watson Collection, bt before 1928

Legal notes

Given by Lester Watson through Cambridge in America, 2009

Measurements and weight

Diameter: 36.3 mm
Weight: 39.84 g

Place(s) associated

  • London

Acquisition and important dates

Method of acquisition: Given (2009) by Watson, Lester

Dating

Production date: AD 1885

Materials used in production

Silver

Techniques used in production

Struck

Inscription or legends present

Inscription present: Bust of Victoria facing left with veil

  • Text: VICTORIA REGINA ET IMPERATRIX
  • Location: Obverse
  • Type: Design

Inscription present: Inscription surrounded by maple wreath

  • Location: Reverse
  • Type: Design

References and bibliographic entries

Identification numbers

Accession number: CM.1407-2009
Primary reference Number: 141501
Watson Catalogue: 316
Ordering: M-0290
Previous object number: LW.0290
Stable URI

Audit data

Created: Saturday 6 August 2011 Updated: Monday 15 January 2024 Last processed: Monday 15 January 2024

Associated departments & institutions

Owner or interested party: The Fitzwilliam Museum
Associated department: Coins and Medals

Citation for print

This record can be cited in the Harvard Bibliographic style using the text below:

The Fitzwilliam Museum (2024) "North West Canada Medal (1885)" Web page available at: https://collection.beta.fitz.ms/id/object/141501 Accessed: 2024-11-04 17:55:23

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{{cite web|url=https://collection.beta.fitz.ms/id/object/141501 |title=North West Canada Medal (1885) |author=The Fitzwilliam Museum|accessdate=2024-11-04 17:55:23|publisher=The University of Cambridge}}

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