Toronto raises Mtis flag to mark Louis Riel Day

The City of Toronto marked the 139th anniversary of the execution of Louis Riel on Saturday with a Metis flag raising ceremony at Nathan Phillips Square.

Mayor Olivia Chow said while Riel is no longer with us, the Mtis Nation flag is a reminder that his lovefor the Mtis Nation and Canada is "infinite" and "eternal."

"As we raise the Mtis flag to commemorate Riel's life and work, and hold his legacy in our thoughts and hearts a founder of Confederation, a great Mtis leader, and an advocate for Mtisrights today we acknowledge not only Riel's contribution to Mtis communities, but also the resilience, the accomplishments and the strength of Mtis Nations."

Riel, the first president and leader of the Mtis Nation, was charged with treason and hanged on Nov. 16, 1885, at the Northwest Mounted Police barracks in Regina.

Chow said Toronto continues to support and work with First Nation communities to fulfill Riel's vision of equal rights.

"Today and every day, let's uphold his legacy his tolerance and diversity and his unshakable conviction and the ideal of equity," she said.

'Apowerful reminder'

Sharon Cadeau, vice-chair of the Provisional Council, Mtis Nation of Ontario, described Riel as "a leader, a visionary and a symbol of resilience for Mtis people across Canada."

She said the day is "a powerful reminder of the struggle and strength of our ancestors who fought for our right to exist, and our distinct people within what we know now is Canada. We celebrate our culture, our contributions, our sacrifices made by those who came before us. Riel believed that Mtis people have the right to control our destiny, to determine our own future."

Cadeau said honouring Riel's legacy is not just about remembering the injustices Mtis people faced, but also "celebrating [their] survival."

"Throughout our Mtis communities we see evidence of resilience. Our language, our music, our traditions thrive passed down through generations. Our fight for self government continues, and this we fulfill Riel's dream of our people taking the rightful place of Indigenous people in this country," Cadeau said.

"The flag raised here today is a symbol of the endurance and of our progress and a reminder of the Mtis people who remember that in a country built on our homeland, we belong.

"On Louis Riel Day, let us honour our heritage, recognize the strength that carried us forward, and pledge to continue the journey towardrespect, reconciliation that Louis Riel dreamed for all of us," Cadeau added.

Louis Riel Day is acknowledged every year in Ontario on Nov. 16.

In 2022, an apology was issued by the then mayor of Toronto on behalf of the City of Toronto for its role in contributing to the militarized action against Mtis people.

Senator Suzanne Brunelle, of the Toronto and York Region Mtis Council, was on hand to acknowledge John Tory's apology.

"The recognition of the City of Toronto's role in perpetuating racism and colonial violence towards the Mtis which continues to this day is deeply significant," she said.

"The apology is a big step forward in our relationship with the city."

At Saturday's event, Brunelle said Riel was "steadfast in his fight for justice" and was executed "because he challenged the status quo by fighting for the rights of the Mtis people."

"Today, we celebrate Riel as a visionary and a leader. We remain inspired by his legacy as we seek to follow in his footsteps," Brunelle added.