This coming weekend is hailed as a long weekend, but the designation for the holiday really has yet to be unified across the country as Louis Riel Day. The Pas MMF Region has always celebrated and honored Riel, long before the statutory holiday came into effect.
“During Trapper’s Festival, our region has always hosted a Metis Family Night,” said The Pas MMF Region Vice President Judy Mayer. “After we had already started celebrating Louis Riel and the Red River Metis, came the holiday recognizing him. There’s a lot more work that has to be done and should be a part of reconciliation, which would be recognizing Riel as the first Premier of Manitoba and the Founding Father of Confederation. That will take a partnership between the provincial and federal governments, along with the Red River Metis government to get this recognized nationally. This should be part of reconciliation with the Red River Metis people.