Kinew to recognize Riel as honorary first premier

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This article was published 14/10/2023 (742 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

As one of his first acts in power, Manitoba’s premier-designate is promising to formally recognize Métis leader Louis Riel as the province’s honorary first premier.

“This fall, when our team returns to the Manitoba legislature, one of the first bills that we are going to bring forward is an Act to bestow upon Louis Riel the honorary title that reflects who he truly is — which is Manitoba’s first premier,” premier-designate Wab Kinew told the crowd of thousands gathered at the Red River Métis Annual General Assembly in Winnipeg on Saturday, who responded with a standing ovation.

This pledge sees Kinew following up on a private member’s bill he first introduced as opposition leader in 2019. That bill sought to bestow upon Riel the title of honorary premier and require that his contributions be taught as part of the school curriculum.

Riel is a widely respected Métis leader who encouraged his supporters to rise up against the federal government in 1869-70 and demanded rights for the people of Red River prior to Canadian annexation. It was under Riel that Manitoba saw its first elected government before joining Canada, and he led the way for the province’s entry into Confederation in the 19th century.

While celebrated, he’s never been officially recognized at the government level as premier, honorary or otherwise.

“It brought tears to my eyes,” said David Chartrand, Manitoba Métis Federation president, speaking to the Free Press after Kinew’s annoucement.

Chartrand said he has advocated for this change at the provincial level for decades. The closest he got was seeing Riel’s portrait hang in the legislature alongside other premiers, though he still doesn’t have the “premier” designation.

“The message here is a powerful one,” Chartrand said. “It’s one that really corrects historical wrongs that have haunted us and made us feel like we didn’t really matter and that Riel didn’t matter … To us, it’s the world.”

At the annual general assembly, Kinew promised to ensure that Métis voices and interests will be represented within his cabinet.

He spoke of the importance of recognizing the work of elders and generations that came before, crediting their sacrifices for allowing him to hold this leadership role today.

His own father, the late Anishinaabe leader Tobasonakwut Kinew was not allowed to vote when he was a young man, he told those gathered.

“And in a few days, his son will be sworn in as Manitoba’s next premier,” Kinew said to thundering applause.

Kinew’s government is scheduled to be sworn in on Wednesday.

katrina.clarke@freepress.mb.ca