What Louis Riel means for Métis, French culture in Manitoba

With many Canadians celebrating Family Day on Monday, Manitobans instead honoured the prominent political leader of the Métis people who founded the province.

Louis Riel Day recognizes Manitoba’s first honourary premier. His significant contributions – such as fighting to protect the lands and rights of the Red River Métis – were pivotal in shaping the Manitoba of today.

Manitoba families came out to enjoy the festivities around town.

“He’s important to the Indigenous culture, the Métis culture, and it’s just good to get everybody together,” said one Winnipegger.

“He did lots for us,” added another. “And especially in the Métis culture, like for me, personally I’m Métis, and he’s just important to us. We go out and dance and stuff and we always remember him and everything.”

“My husband is Métis, so I think it’s important to know your roots and to know where you come from, and it’s a rich history in Manitoba, of the French and the Indigenous,” said a third. “And as a mom, it’s always important to teach my kids about history and it’s also nice to have a day off with my little ones.”

Even some from out of province were in Manitoba Monday celebrating Riel.

“I’m from Saskatchewan, but at the same time Métis culture is very much French culture right? They fought for French rights, they fought for our bilingual rights, and I’m a French teacher so that’s super important to me personally. All of us today, we’re in a group from Saskatchewan, we’re all teachers.”

WATCH: CityNews Connect – Louis Riel

Riel was the leader of two resistance movements. At age 25, he led an uprising and formed a provisional government, presenting Canada with a Bill of Rights known today as the Manitoba Act.

Riel was tried, convicted and hanged at the Northwest Mounted Police barracks in Regina on Nov. 16, 1885, for his resistance. He was 41 years old when he was killed.

In 2016, Manitoba recognized Riel as the Father of Confederation and the founder of the province.

READ MORE: Louis Riel portrait updated to recognize Métis leader as first premier of Manitoba

Premier Wab Kinew issued a statement outlining the importance of Riel’s contributions to Manitoba joining the Canadian Confederation.

“Today, as Manitobans gather with family and friends to celebrate the holiday weekend, it’s important to reflect on the contributions our first premier, Louis Riel, made to this province,” Kinew wrote.

“Louis Riel is the reason I speak French, the reason I get to serve as premier and the reason we are all Manitobans.”

Last year, Manitoba held a big ceremony declaring Riel as the honourary premier. This year’s celebrations in Winnipeg were more muted, but there was still a day of planned activities for families at The Forks.

“We wanted to bring this back to families, what are we doing here in Winnipeg, what we are doing on a day like this to celebrate and commemorate,” said Zach Peters, the communications and marketing manager at The Forks. “And so having a bunch of family-friendly activities is really what we try to do here at The Forks. It’s sort of that surprise and delight.”