Riel formally recognized as first Premier By: Nicole Buffie Posted: 12:47 PM CST Monday, Feb. 19, 2024 Last Modified: 5:04 PM CST Monday, Feb. 19, 2024 Updates

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After nearly 154 years, a plaque recognizing Louis Riel as the first premier of Manitoba will hang in the Manitoba Legislature.

Premier Wab Kinew and Manitoba Métis Federation President David Chartrand revealed a portrait of Riel with a plate bearing the designation at the legislative building Monday morning, which also marked Louis Riel Day.

“Mr. Riel was the head of the government here … and so we’re still going to acknowledge that,” Kinew said during a news conference.

The photo and plaque will hang among all other past premiers in the legislature.

Prior to passing legislation in 2023 to recognize him as the first premier, Riel was designated as president of the executive council, but was never given the title of first premier.

“In order for us to move forward in a good way, we also have to acknowledge our history,” Kinew said at the unveiling, the first of a two-part celebration to commemorate the late leader’s new title.

In December 2023 the province gave royal assent to the Louis Riel Act, which recognized the leader as the first premier, a promise Kinew made during the lead up to the provincial election in October.

The premier introduced the act several times as opposition leader but the bill never passed.

“It was important for our government for the first bill we pass was the Louis Riel bill,” Kinew said. “As we go further into the future each day we’re getting closer to realizing Riel’s vision.”

At Riel’s graveside in St. Boniface, Kinew and Chartrand placed a signed copy of the Louis Riel Act on his headstone before taking a moment of silence.

The piece of legislation bestows Riel with the title of first premier and mandates school curriculums include education about Riel’s contributions to the province and Canada.

“(The premier) kept his word, I had no doubt in my mind that he would do what he has done,” Chartrand said to a crowd at the ceremony in front of the St. Boniface Cathedral, where Riel’s final resting place is located.

The MMF leader cast doubt the legislation would have passed under any other government.

At the same time as the Louis Riel Act, the legislature also passed a bill to designate Orange Shirt day a statutory holiday in Manitoba, which is to commemorates Indigenous children who attended residential schools.

Riel led a provisional government in the Red River Settlement in 1869 and adopted a list of rights for people of different cultures and languages.

As tensions rose during the transfer of land from the Hudson’s Bay Company to the Canadian government, Riel fought for the list of rights to form the basis of Manitoba’s entry into Confederation.

Riel fled to the United States after facing threats to his life. He was arrested after a later rebellion in what is now Saskatchewan, convicted of treason and hanged.

Alfred Boyd was named Manitoba’s first premier.

There have long been efforts to recognize Riel’s accomplishments. He was declared a founder of Manitoba in 1992 and officially recognized as the first leader of Manitoba in 2016.

According to accounts of his trial, in his final statement, Riel told the jury he may may one day be known as more than a leader of the Métis.

“And if I am, I will have an opportunity of being acknowledged as a leader of good in this great country,” Riel was quoted as saying.

Chartrand said he in addition to recognizing Riel as the first leader of Manitoba, he wants to see school curriculums reflect the history of the Red River Métis more accurately, and recognize them as distinct from other First Nations.

“One day I’ll walk into a place and you’re gonna know automatically who we are … I don’t have to educate more of my history,” he said.

Kinew said the province will work with schools to include Mr. Riel’s history with Manitoba as part of the act.

“The next step for us is going to be to reach out to educators and ask what additional resources and support they need.

“I think the work starts right away and will be ongoing.”

– with files from the Canadian Press

nicole.buffie@freepress.mb.ca