Gimli Red River Metis honour provincial founder and honorary first premier
Members of the Gimli Red River Metis Local were among the hundreds of people who gathered at Louis Riel’s gravesite at St. Boniface Cathedral on Louis Riel Day (Feb. 19) to witness the ceremonial presentation of the Louis Riel Act and pay tribute to the man who founded Manitoba and fought for Indigenous rights.
The Manitoba government passed legislation in 2023 to give Riel (1844-1885) the honorary title of first premier of Manitoba. On Feb. 19 the government updated the Metis leader’s portrait in the legislature to reflect his title.
Gimli Red River Metis chairperson Donna Austfjord attended the ceremony at the cathedral with members Brian Austfjord, Susan Champagne-Shapiro, Gloria Thomas and Kim Karish.
Austfjord said the highlight of the day for her was the acknowledgement of Riel as first premier.
“The Louis Riel Act is the culmination of more than 30 years of advocacy for the Metis people of Manitoba, recognizing Louis Riel as the first premier of Manitoba. Standing there while history is corrected before my eyes is something that will be read in history books for generations after me,” said Austfjord. “I can say I was there while it happened and followed [Manitoba Metis Federation] president David Chartrand for many years as he fought for this day. It was a proud day for all Red River Metis.”
Riel defended the rights of Metis people. He was born in the Red River settlement, educated in St. Boniface and Montreal and elected three times to the House of Commons, which expelled him for his participation in the Red River Resistance of 1869-1870. He led a provisional government that negotiated Manitoba’s entry into Confederation in 1870. Later fearing lynching, Riel fled to the United States. Asked to negotiate for Saskatchewan Metis, Riel returned and in 1885 the Canadian government charged him with high treason and hanged him. He is buried at the St. Boniface Cathedral.
In 1992 Riel was declared founder of Manitoba, and in 2016 he was officially recognized as the first leader of Manitoba.
Austfjord said there have many changes over the past 15 year where the Red River Metis fought for their place and the history of Manitoba.
“This event will change the story and what we teach in the history books. Louis Riel was hanged for treason based on an obscure British law, and this law carried the death penalty whereas Canada’s treason law did not,” she said. “I hope the story of Louis Riel and the Red River Metis will inspire many Manitobans and Canadians to dig into the real story and acknowledge the wrongdoing of John A. McDonald. First Indigenous premier Wab Kinew spoke very proudly of having the ability to assist MMF president Chartrand in righting a longtime wrong to Louis Riel, a man who had a great influence on this province, which is what we see now.”
After the ceremony, Austfjord said she celebrated with all Red River Metis ministers, delegates and citizens at Elsie Bear’s Kitchen at 150 Henry Ave. and enjoyed bannock and stew and fiddling and jigging.
“It is always a wonderful time when you meet someone and at the next gathering you are family,” said Austfjord.
Manitoba premier Wab Kinew said in a Feb. 19 joint statement with MMF president David Chartrand that the government is continuing to honour the legacy of Louis Riel by ensuring Manitoba’s school curricula include Riel’s contributions and acknowledgement of his honorary title.
“Our government was proud to make the first legislation we introduced a bill to recognize Louis Riel as Manitoba’s first premier. We have also taken steps to ensure all Manitoba students learn about Riel and his provisional government including the List of Rights they drafted that would eventually become the basis of the Manitoba Act of 1870,” said Kinew. “Today we celebrate Riel’s legacy and the accomplishments of the Red River Métis people in Manitoba.”
MMF president David Chartrand called the day historic and momentous and a time to reflect on the true history of Louis Riel and the Metis of the Red River.
“Our history has been one of hardship, marginalization, racism and discrimination – a continued struggle for recognition of our identity as the Red River Métis people. We have been 153 years in waiting and advocating to correct this part of our history, and today we see the true title of Louis Riel further acknowledged,” said Chartrand in the joint statement. “The stain on Canada remains for portraying him as traitor and a madman, instead of telling his true history as the first premier and the founder of Manitoba. We hope what we do here today will be a catalyst for real change, so that all know the truth and honour premier Riel’s legacy and the legacy of our people.”
The Red River Metis has a proud entrepreneurial spirit and love for its culture, said Austfjord, and takes pride in showing its beading work, furs and music. The Gimli Red River Metis Local welcomes everyone to join its meetings and community events. People interested in joining the local can call Donna at (204) 641-4783.
