Country Dominion of Canada Campaign(s) North-West Rebellion Established 18 September 1885 | Type Campaign medal Clasps Saskatchewan | |
Eligibility Imperial and Canadian forces, and members of the North-West Mounted Police | ||
The Northwest Canada Medal is a British campaign medal issued to the soldiers, volunteers, and North-West Mounted Police (NWMP) personnel who participated in putting down the North-West Rebellion in 1885.
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Eligibility
The medal was originally established to be awarded to the soldiers who took part in the suppression of the North-West Rebellion of 1885, but only to those who served west of Port Arthur, Ontario. The medal was also awarded to some volunteers, including the crew of the steamer "Northcote" for service at the Battle of Batoche, and members of the Prince Albert Volunteers for service at Duck Lake. Members of the NWMP were initially excluded from receiving the medal. A Canadian Order in Council of 13 December 1886 recommended that the NWMP receive the medal, and was accepted by the British Government on 16 February 1887.
Appearance
The medal is a circular made of silver 36mm in diameter. The obverse is an effigy of the Queen Victoria, facing left. Around the edge is the inscription "VICTORIA REGINA ET IMPERATRIX". The reverse contains the inscription "NORTH WEST 1885 CANADA" in three lines surrounded by a wreath of maple leaves. The medal is suspended from a ribbon in slate grey 32mm wide, with crimson 6mm stripes, 3mm from each edge.