THUNDER BAY — Louis Riel was an activist who fought for Métis peoples land, language, and political rights.
The Métis Nation flag was risen at Thunder Bay City Hall on Saturday in commemoration of Louis Riel Day.
Margaret Froh, president of the Métis Nation of Ontario, said November 16th is the anniversary of the hanging of Louis Riel.
“One of our heroes, somebody who was a strong voice for Métis rights and who stood up against injustice, stood up for the land, stood up for our people and our culture.
“In the end paid the ultimate price with his life for doing so,” she said.
Froh said Louis Riel is probably one of the most famous Métis people ever.
“Even our little kids understand who he is. In fact, we've done a beautiful little children's book about Louis Riel, but also other Métis heroes like Steve Powley as an example.
“Steve and his son Roddy are the two Métis men from Sault Saint Marie who harvested a moose. Their case went all the way to the Supreme Court of Canada.
“Finally, in 2003, we had a decision that recognized Métis people in this country, recognized the Sault Saint Marie Métis community and recognized our rights,” she said.
Froh said it’s important to take time on days like Nov. 16 to remember Louis Riel and Steve Powley and all of the heroes that have stood and done the right thing, being the strong voice for Métis people.
“Just this past weekend, we held a family rendezvous and we had 100 young people, 75 kids 12 and under.
“It was just a big celebration of our history of our culture. And an opportunity really to just build that continued growing awareness around our history, something that we are doing a lot of work on within the Métis Nation of Ontario,” she said.
The Métis Nation of Ontario has launched a website this past summer, Froh said.
“We're putting information out there about the Métis people especially here in Ontario. So that not just our citizens, but all people can understand that rich and beautiful history and that's really what we're celebrating and marking today from Louis Riel’s time,” she said.
Froh said the raising of the flag is a symbol of the relationship and the commitment of Thunder Bay with the local Métis community.
“To continue to fly the flag, to tell those stories and to remember leaders like Louis Riel and our Métis community today.
“I can tell you as a Métis person, when I go anywhere and I see the Métis Nation flag, I immediately feel that I've been seen, I feel that my people have been respected.
“I think that's incredibly important. Especially these days, unfortunately, there are still people that seek to deny our existence.”
People that are not Métis might see the flag and not know what the Métis Nation flag is, Froh said.
“It causes them to ask questions. The flag is a symbol of the people and it's something that we all take great pride in.”
There was also a Louis Riel event held at Fort William Historical Park on Saturday.
“I understand there are almost 300 people confirmed to attend.
“We'll be having fiddlers there, there's going to be music and dancing, there's going to be Métis artists and vendors.
“There will be a whole bunch of great food and without a doubt, there will be a lot of laughter and camaraderie and community,” she said.
The Métis Nation of Ontario is looking forward to more flag raisings and opportunities to engage people, she said.
“I really want to take this opportunity to acknowledge the City of Thunder Bay and the work that they are doing, working with our Thunder Bay Métis Council to build that relationship to advance that relationship and reconciliation.
“We lost one of our heroes recently, Murray Sinclair, but that legacy of the work that he and many others have done really does live on.
“I'm grateful to the City of Thunder Bay for continuing to commit to that relationship with the Thunder Bay Métis Council,” Froh said.
