Has the lost bell of Batoche been found in Manitoba?

A decades-old mystery of the whereabouts of the bell of Batoche may be solved later this week.

The bell was taken from Batoche, Sask., to Millbrook, Ont., by soldiers during the Louis Riel-led North West Rebellion in 1885. Batoche served as the capital of Riel's provisional government of Saskatchewan at the time.

There have been reported rumours over the years of people claimingthe bell was hidden in Saskatchewan or Manitoba.

The 20-pound silver bell was taken as a war trophy from the parish church of Batocheand hung for decades in Millbrook, which was home to many of thesoldiers sent out to quash the rebellion.

It was last kept in theRoyal Canadian Legion hall when itdisappeared in 1991.

There were reports at the time that a pickup truck with a Saskatchewan licence plate was seen speeding off from the scene.

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A media event this Friday, hosted by the Union Nationale Metisse Saint-Joseph du Manitoba,promises more information about the bell.

Phillipe Mailhot, of the St. Boniface Museum, said if the bell has indeed been found, he'd like to see it displayed in a number of places.

"The Mtis community here in Manitoba is also quite strongso I think it would be kind of neat if it could be shared," he said.