Three Chiefs

Oil on canvas.

32x26x1"

This picture is based on a photo taken in 1886. In 1886 John A. Macdonald invited a number of prominent chiefs who remained loyal during the Northwest Rebellion of 1885 to travel to Central Canada. The prime minister wanted these important leaders of the 15,000 or so Prairie First Nations to visit southern Ontario and Quebec, in order to impress them with the Dominion’s numerical and technological strength. The names of the chiefs are l. to r. Jonas Goodstoney, Samson and Pakan.