Conflict, Rebellion, and Innovation: The Early Days of Surveying in Western Canada

This exhibit is centered around an iron post found by R. W. Clark in Rolling River, Manitoba in 1953. The artifact, seemingly void of any shocking appeal, is actually a symbolic, multi-dimensional survey marker, enriched by the historical background of Canada's ambitious plans to survey its Western lands in the 1870s. This exhibit will explore the context of this program, focusing on the haunting episodes of the Riel Rebellions and creating connections between land surveying and military conflict. The artifact's association with Dominion Land Surveyor John McLatchie reveals even more depth within the significance of this artifact. In sum, this exhibit is concerned with the big picture -  What effects did Canada's survey agenda have on the populations already settled in Manitoba and the North-West Territories? How should we consider the importance of Dominion Land Surveying to the course of Canadian history overall?