Downtown in Regina in Sherwood No. 159, Saskatchewan — The Prairie Region (North America)

The Trial of Louis Riel

Photographed by Cosmos Mariner, June 19, 2022

1. The Trial of Louis Riel Marker

Inscription.
The trial of Louis Riel, Metis Leader of the Northwest Resistance, was held in the town of Regina July 28 and 29, 1885 in a court house located 60 metres from this spot. Riel was found guilty of treason and executed by hanging November 16, 1885.

This plaque erected during Saskatchewan Heritage Year by the Trial of Louis Riel Committee of the Regina Chamber of Commerce July 29, 1985 to commemorate the centennial of Riel’s trial.

Erected 1985 by Trial of Louis Riel Committee of the Regina Chamber of Commerce.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Indigenous Peoples and Communities • Law Enforcement • Notable Events. A significant historical date for this entry is July 28, 1885.

Location. 50° 26.839′ N, 104° 36.679′ W. Marker is in Regina, Saskatchewan, in Sherwood No. 159. It is in Downtown. It is on Victoria Avenue just west of Scarth Street, on the right when traveling west. The marker is beside the sidewalk near the southeast corner of Victoria Park. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Regina SK S4P 0M5, Canada. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in Southeast

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Saskatchewan.

It is also in the Prairies.

Globally, it is in North America,

the Western Hemisphere,

the Western World,

and the Anglosphere.

Historically, it finds itself in what was once a British colony

and also Rupert’s Land.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: Hotel Saskatchewan (within shouting distance of this marker); Creation of the Province of Saskatchewan (within shouting distance of this marker); Hon. Walter Scott (within shouting distance of this marker); Land Titles Building (about 90 meters away, measured in a direct line); Regina Land Titles Building (about 90 meters away); Glockenspiel (about 150 meters away); Frederick W. Hill Mall (about 180 meters away); The Knox-Metropolitan United Church (about 180 meters away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Regina.

Also see . . . Trial of Louis Riel (Wikipedia).

Excerpt: Louis Riel had been a leader of a resistance movement by the Métis and First Nations people of western Canada against the Government of Canada in what is now the province of Saskatchewan. Known as the North-West Rebellion,
Saskatchewan Archives Board

2. Marker detail: Louis Riel
October 22, 1844 – November 16, 1885
this resistance was suppressed by the Canadian military, which led to Riel's surrender and trial for treason. The trial, which took place in July 1885 and lasted five days, resulted in a guilty verdict. He was also given a choice to plead guilty or insanity. Riel was subsequently executed by hanging, an outcome which has had a lasting negative impact on relations between Anglophone Canadians and the Riel supporters among French Canadians.

On August 1, after an hour and twenty minutes of deliberation, the jury found him guilty of treason, but recommended mercy. The foreman was in tears. Nonetheless, Judge Richardson sentenced him to death, the only punishment available under the Treason Act.

The defence appealed the guilty verdict. The first appeal lay to the Court of Queen's Bench for Manitoba (at that time the appellate court for the North-West Territories), which denied the appeal. The defence then applied for leave to appeal to the Judicial Committee of the Privy Council in Britain (at that time the highest court of appeal for the British Empire). The Judicial Committee denied leave to appeal. The execution took place November 16,
Photographed by Cosmos Mariner, June 19, 2022

3. The Trial of Louis Riel Marker
Looking north from Victoria Avenue. The southeast corner of Victoria Park is in the background.
1885, at what is now the RCMP training academy, near the modern-day RCMP Heritage Centre.

(Submitted on October 21, 2026, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida.)

Credits. This page was last revised on October 21, 2026. It was originally submitted on October 21, 2026, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida. This page has been viewed 4 times since then. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on October 21, 2026, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida.