Utoo Radio - Feb 22, 2024 - As a way to honor Louis Riel's memory, the government of Manitoba recently unveiled a new portrait title that calls him the first premier of Manitoba.
Premier Wab Kinew, who is in charge of intergovernmental affairs and Indigenous reconciliation, said, "Our government was proud to make the first law we introduced a bill to recognize Louis Riel as Manitoba's first premier." "We have also made sure that all students in Manitoba learn about Riel and his temporary government, including the List of Rights that they wrote, which was the basis for the Manitoba Act of 1870." The Red River Métis people in Manitoba have done a lot of great things, and today we honor their history.
The picture of Riel has been on the walls of the Manitoba Legislative Building for a long time, but the plaque says that Riel was president. Following a law passed by the Manitoba government in 2023 making Riel the first premier of Manitoba, the plaque was changed to recognize his role as the province's first leader.
"Today is a historic and important day as we remember the real story of Louis Riel and the Métis of the Red River," said David Chartrand, president of the Manitoba Métis Federation. "Our history is one of hardship, exclusion, racism, and discrimination. We are still fighting to be recognized as the Red River Métis people." Since 153 years ago, people have been waiting and working to change this part of our past. Today, Louis Riel's real name is being given more attention. Canada is still shamed for making him out to be a traitor and a crazy person instead of telling the truth about his life as the first premier and father of Manitoba. We hope that what we do today will lead to real change so that everyone knows the truth and respects Premier Riel's and our people's heritage.
In 1992, Riel was named a founder of Manitoba, and in 2016, he was made an official leader of Manitoba. There was a lot of pressure from the Manitoba Métis Federation for Riel to be named first premier, and in 2023, Kinew did just that.
