The Metis flag is raised in front of Sask Poly in Prince Albert on Nov. 16. (Submitted photo/Brianna Bergeron)

By Derek Craddock

LOUIS RIEL

Métis flag raised in P.A. to mark Louis Riel Memorial Day

Nov 16, 2021 | 4:32 PM

Ceremonies were held in Prince Albert Tuesday to commemorate Louis Riel Memorial Day.

Nov. 16 marks the anniversary of Riel’s execution in 1885.

According to the Metis Nation website, Riel led Métis people in the Northwest Resistance, which at the time was a stand against the Government of Canada because it was encroaching on Metis rights.

Following the siege of Batoche, Riel was put on trial where he was convicted of treason and executed.

“Despite this oppression, many Métis people found a way to preserve their way-of-life and passed it on to current generations,” the website states.

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On Tuesday morning the Metis flag was raised at the Prince Albert RCMP building and the Prince Albert campus of Saskatchewan Polytechnic.

Anita Cameron, program head for Sask Poly’s Indigenous Students’ Centre Coordinators said it’s important to recognize this historic day across Canada.

“We want our Indigenous students to feel like they belong on our campuses and are valued members of our community. Raising the Métis flag is just one of the ways in which Sask Polytech celebrates our Indigenous communities and supports the Truth and Reconciliation Commission Calls to Action.”

The Métis Nation flag was also raised in front of the Prince Albert RCMP detachment Tuesday morning. The flag replaced the Saskatchewan RCMP ensign and joined the Canada and Saskatchewan flags in front of the Prince Albert RCMP Support Services Building on 9th Ave.

The Métis flag was raised by Métis Saskatchewan RCMP officer S/Sgt. Dwayne Whitford.

The flag-raising ceremony included a prayer, the playing of Amazing Grace on the fiddle by Prince Albert Police Service Constable Dean Smith as well as brief statements from Saskatchewan RCMP North District Commander Superintendent Ted Munro and Métis Nation – Saskatchewan Western Region 2 Regional Director Sherry McLennan about looking forward to be working together in the near future.

(Submitted photo/Saskatchewan RCMP)

“The Prince Albert area, where the battles of Batoche and Duck Lake were fought, is rich with Métis Nation and NWMP history,” said S/Sgt. Brian Kelly from the Saskatchewan RCMP Indigenous Policing Services.

“For this reason, the raising of the Métis Nation flag for the first time in front of the Prince Albert RCMP Support Services Building is a particularly meaningful event for all of us.”

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derek.craddock@pattisonmedia.com

Twitter: @PA_Craddock