By Taylor MacPherson

Métis flag raised at Sask. Polytechnic in honour of Louis Riel

Nov 16, 2017 | 1:00 PM

Staff and students at Saskatchewan Polytechnic marked Louis Riel Memorial Day by raising the Métis flag and singing the Métis National Anthem.

Indigenous Student Advisor Shelley Belhumeur said the Métis banner was created more than 150 years ago, making it Canada’s oldest flag. Belhumeur said many different flags are used by the Métis people across Canada, but the most widely-used version bears a white infinity symbol on a blue background representing the North West Company.

“The infinity symbol means that our culture is going to last forever,” Belhumeur said. “It’s two circles coming together, and that’s the coming together of the Europeans that came over here and our Aboriginal people that lived here.”

The Métis national anthem, sung by Polytechnic instructor Kim Kuzak, accompanied the flag raising. Belhumeur said the anthem is only roughly six years old, but traces its roots back to one of the most important figures in Métis history.

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“It was Gabriel Dumont that originally wanted to come up with a national anthem,” she said. “This one was created by Andrew Menard and Donny Parenteau, and was sung by them.”

Advisor Carrie McCloy said honouring Riel is an annual tradition at the college. She said celebrations like the one held this morning help change the public perception of Riel, who was widely considered a traitor until recently.

“Part of Métis history is the reality of Louis Riel and the rebellion and why it happened,” she said “The Métis nation stands behind the rights for Métis people in Canada.”

McCloy said the events will continue throughout the day, with a presentation on the importance and traditional uses of the Métis sash. The Riverside Jigging Club will also stop by the polytechnic to give a performance in the library at 4 p.m., she said.

“It’s great for our Métis Nation,” she said. “It’s great for our Métis people. It’s also great for our Métis students.”

Taylor.macpherson@jpbg.ca

On Twitter: @TMacPhersonNews