RCMP Heritage Centre: Sam Steele Exhibit
June 6, 2013
Sam Steele is a legend within the Force.
A sample of his personal papers and artifacts are now available for public viewing.
On the 140th anniversary of the creation of the Northwest Mounted Police, the RCMP Heritage Centre held an official opening of their Sir Sam Steele feature exhibit. The official opening was lead by RCMP Veteran and Chief Executive Officer of the RCMP Heritage Centre – Al Nicholson.
Photograph of RCMP Veteran and Heritage Centre Chief Executive Officer – Al Nicholson officially opening the Sam Steele’s feature exhibit.
The majority of the items and material in this feature display came from the University of Alberta. In June 2008, the University of Alberta, in partnership with the Glenbow Museum, paid $1.8-million to purchase Sam Steele’s medals, uniforms, military equipment and 84 large boxes of documents from Steele’s British descendants.
Photograph of the entrance sign to the Sam Steele feature exhibit.
This historical exhibit pays tribute to one of Canada’s most famous public servants.
Photograph of Sam Steele’s Northwest Mounted Police belt and NWMP officer’s buckle.
The Sam Steele Collection contains a wealth of information on the details of Canada’s development. Sam was involved in many historical events in Canada:
– 1866 – joined the Canadian Militia to combat the Fenian Raids;
– 1870 – joined the Canadian Militia and was deployed to combat the Red River Rebellion of Louis Riel;
– 1873 – joined the Northwest Mounted Police and was promoted to the rank of Chief Constable;
– 1874 – participated in the famous March West – Chief Constable for “A” Troop;
– 1877 – assigned to meet Sitting Bull after the defeat of the U.S. 7th Cavalry;
– 1885 (Northwest Rebellion) – attached to General Thomas Strange and the Canadian Militia. This Militia group was tasked at locating and capturing Chief Bear. At the Battle of Frenchman’s Butte, Chief Bear’s forces were defeated by the Canadian Militia. Two weeks later, Steele and his two dozen Mounties defeated Big Bear’s forces at Loon Lake which would be the last battle ever found on Canadian soil;
– 1898 – sent to the Yukon Klondike to establish custom posts at the head of the White and Chilkoot Passes. Under his firm leadership, law and order was maintained.
– 1900 – volunteered for the new Lord Strathcona Horse regiment and was shortly thereafter was made the Colonel in charge of the regiment. In South Africa, he continued to distinguish himself as a leader.
-1901 – joined and commanded ”B’ Division of the South African Constabulary;
– 1907 – returned to Canada and assumed a senior position in the Canadian Militia;
– 1914 – promoted to be the commander of the 2nd Canadian Division in World War I and later became responsible for overseeing all the training of Canadian troops in England.
– 1918 – died during the 1918 Spanish influenza just after his 71st birthday. He was later buried in Winnipeg.
If you are in Regina between June 2013 and September 2, 2013, we strongly encourage you to stop by and visit the Sam Steele exhibit. We also encourage you to visit the RCMP Heritage Centre in Regina website.
If you wish more information on Sir Sam Steele, we encourage you to visit the following websites:
Sir Sam Steele Collection at the University of Alberta
Photograph of Sam Steele with other members of the South African Constabulary (Source of photo – RCMP Historical Collections Unit – “Depot” Division)
