The Spirit of God made me see a crate full of merchandise. On the bottom were written the words, “The heart of the North.” O my God! For the love of Jesus, Mary, Joseph and Saint John the Baptist, grant me the grace to conquer the North and to master all within it: give me the heart of the North.

L’Esprit de Dieu m’a fait voir un quart plein de marchandises. Sur le fond du Quart étaient écrites les paroles suivantes: “Les entrailles du Nord.” O mon Dieu! Accordez-moi, la grâce de conquérir le Nord et de Maîtriser tout ce qu’il a: donnez-moi les entrailles du nord.

~ Louis Riel, Journal/Diary [Batoche]. [1885/09/01?] – 1885/05/10.

RIEL: HEART OF THE NORTH

Riel, Heart of the North is a major dramatic musical work by Métis poet Suzanne Steele (Gaudry/Fayant) & composers Neil Weisensel and Alex Kusturok. It will premiere in 2023 in Winnipeg. Steele, Weisensel, and Kusturok are artists; they are not historians, politicians, nor activists.  Through this work, the artists honour all sides of the ancestral blanket.

Performance Videos

Li Keur Podcast

Audio Recordings