Louis Riel was a founder of the province of Manitoba and a political leader of the Métis people, renowned for standing up for their rights and culture. He was hanged for treason for his role in organizing the North-West Rebellion of 1885. A flag-raising ceremony held at Queen’s Park today commemorated the 133rd anniversary of his death.
The Métis people do not see Riel as a rebel, and would like others to see it the same way.
“I would like to correct the language that’s being used here today and ask you to never ever, ever, ever to call what happened in 1869-70 and 1885 rebellions. The Métis nation has always said that they were not rebellions, they were resistances,” said Jean Teillet, Riel’s great-grandniece.
“Rebellions are about when you’re trying to overthrow the government, and that they never did and they never sought to do. In fact they were trying to negotiate their way into Canada in 1869-70 and in 1885 they were protecting their lands.”
In 1869, the Métis people did not have title to their land like colonists would. When the Canadian government sent a survey team to Métis land, they got worried. Louis Riel denounced the survey and formed a provisional government. In 1870, after conflicts that resulted in deaths on both sides, Riel negotiated the Manitoba Act, officially bringing Manitoba into the Canadian Confederation.
Despite the cold and snow at today’s ceremony, the Métis honour guard stood tall and Métis musicians played traditional music as their flag rose. Métis community leaders, politicians, and members of the public gathered out front of the Legislative Assembly of Ontario to honour Riel’s legacy.
“I can proudly stand here today on the steps of the very government who persecuted (Louis Riel)” said Paul Robitaille, Youth Representative of the Métis Nation of Ontario (MNO). “As a Métis youth I will continue Riel’s fight to preserve our nationality.”
The president of the MNO, Margaret Froh, was at the flag-raising to deliver a speech. “Louis Riel day is a call for all of us to continue his fight, and his fight was for our rights as Métis,” she said. “It’s not just about words on paper, it really is about action and building that relationship.”
Riel was elected to parliament multiple times, but was never able to take his seat due to a bounty on his head from his time leading the provisional government – Riel had to live in exile. By 1885, Riel had become fed up with the Canadian government’s lack of response to Métis grievances. A military resistance was formed, but was ultimately defeated and Riel was arrested and hanged.
Former Ontario Premier Kathleen Wynne was also speaking at the event and echoed Froh’s words.
“Reconciliation isn’t about words on a page, reconciliation is about the tough work of coming to agreement on issues that are hard to come to agreement on,” said Wynne.
After the event, Froh fielded questions from the media. She said that she is interested to see how the current government will work with the Métis people on issues important to them.
Froh wants Métis Canadians to know that “We are not part of the history of this country, we are a vibrant part of what Canada is today.”
Words by Zachary Roman
Video Courtesy: Emily Peotto
Layout by Abhi Raheja
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