Sword of famous Metis leader Louis Riel found days after it went missing

BATOCHE, Sask.- A missing sword believed to have belonged to the famous Metis leader Louis Riel has been found.

The sword disappeared Wednesday during the Back to Batoche festival in Saskatchewan.

It had been on display at a table hosted by a Metis delegation from British Columbia.

Robert Doucette of the Metis Nation of Saskatchewan said the sword was recovered on Sunday by a security company working at the festival. He said the artifact was turned in by a man from the nearby One Arrow First Nation.

"You know when a cultural item like that goes missing, it's irreplaceable. And when it comes home, it comes home to the relief and the gratitude of all people of that nation,'' Doucette said.

A $500 reward for the return of the sword had been offered, but Doucette says it hasn't been decided yet if it will be paid out.

Back to Batoche festival spokeswoman Gaylene Poulin said the sword was eventually discovered with young boys who were playing with it at the Batoche rodeo grounds.

"Two kids were sword fighting with it. They had no idea what they were fighting with,'' Poulin said. "We don't know who took it but we're glad it was found.''

Batoche Days is an annual celebration of Metis culture held near the site of the 1885 showdown between the Canadian army and Metis and aboriginal fighters, who were led by Riel.

The Metis were defeated and Riel was found guilty of high treason and hanged in Regina.

He is considered the greatest leader of the Metis as well as the founding father of Manitoba.

The province has a holiday named for him.

Doucette said it was a huge relief when he was told the news that the sword had been returned. He said wrapped it in a traditional Metis sash, took to the stage and invited Metis Nation of British Columbia president Bruce Dumont onto the stage.

"We hugged each other and all the Metis, First Nations and non-aboriginal people who were there cheered,'' Doucette said. "It's just another icing on the cake to a great, great eight days out here at Batoche.''

Dumont explained that the sword is the property of their of the former Metis Nation of British Columbia's regional director, Henry Hall. It has been authenticated, Dumont said, and has Louis Riel's initials on it.

He said he didn't know what was happening when Doucette called him to the stage and unwrapped the sash.

"People were coming up and saying, 'Can I touch it and can I look at it?' At that time I didn't even want to let go of it,'' Dumont said.

"We very much appreciate it being returned in good condition with no damage,'' he added.-CP-