In an effort to acknowledge and recognize opportunities to Indigenize our landscape at the College of New Caledonia, I would like to offer a reflection on an upcoming day recognized by Métis Peoples across the country we know now as Canada.
We know from conversations on reconciliation that all lands within the geography of Canada reside upon someone’s traditional territory. It’s essential we pause and remember that there are also people who have been historically denied rights to their homeland. It is a humanizing practice to acknowledge the Métis who continue to experience displacement from their lands, identity, language, and culture. Their survival is defined by the strength and resistance of their ancestors to carve out a distinct lived and living experience that has maintained their diverse Métis identity. Which brings me to an upcoming significant day for us to reflect upon.
Louis Riel Day is recognized every November 16th. This day should hold deep significance for all Canadians as we come together to learn our shared histories as Indigenous and non-Indigenous people. Louis Riel was the driving force behind the creation of Manitoba as Canada’s fifth province. His vision was the creation of a province that respected and embraced all cultures, a vision that remains still within Manitoba today. This day is acknowledged every November 16th on the anniversary of Louis Riel’s execution in 1885 for his role in the Northwest Resistance. The Northwest Resistance was a stand against the Government of Canada which at the time was encroaching upon and actively dissolving the rights of Métis Peoples.
On Louis Riel Day in 2023, the Government of Manitoba passed legislation recognizing Louis Riel as the first premier of the province. Premier Wab Kinew was notable in this turning point indicating that:
“The reason why I wanted to do that is because they called me the 25th premier of Manitoba. I’ve been called a lot of things in my career in politics – 25th premier is not the worst, but I thought it was important that before they call me the 25th, that we call Louis Riel the first. I would also suggest that we should take this message far beyond Manitoba's borders and tell the rest of Canada this story as well, so that the father of Manitoba is also recognized for who he is nationally, which is a father of Confederation."
This Saturday, November 16th, let’s take a moment to reflect on this new learning and our responsibility to it. In recognition of this day, Decolonization, Reconciliation and Indigenization Standing Committee of the Federation of Post Secondary Educators of BC and the Aboriginal Resource Centre at the Prince George Campus have partnered to open a space to view the film “We are Métis” with some light refreshments and snacks. The CNC community is welcome to visit the ARC on Thursday November 14th between 4 and 6pm.
Snachalhuya - Thank you.