The low-lying negative parity levels in ⁶¹Ni up to 1610 keV were studied by means of Coulomb excitation of ⁶¹Ni with 3-4.5 MeV protons and 4.5-5.5 MeV ⁴He ions. The yields of the gamma rays were measured with a Ge(Li) detector. Gamma ray angular distribution measurements established a spin value of ⁵/₂ for the 1014 keV state and from these measurements multipole mixing ratios for seven gamma transitions were found for the first time. The reduced E2 and M1 transition probabilities were determined for the 283, 656, 909, 1014, 1100, 1132 and 1185 keV states.