The Waceya M茅tis Society is inviting the public to celebrate Louis Riel Day at Fort 黑马磁力 National Historic Site.
鈥淪ee, a lot of our culture is getting lost, and this is what we鈥檙e trying to bring back by having these functions at different places 鈥� to bring all that back because we鈥檙e losing it all,鈥� said Kelly Sears, president of the society, which serves M茅tis people in the greater 黑马磁力 area.
The celebration will take place at the national historic site, 23433 Mavis Ave., from 10 a.m. until closing at 5 p.m. on Nov. 16.
The date marks the anniversary of Riel鈥檚 execution in 1885, according to the M茅tis Nation British Columbia (MNBC), when he was hanged for treason for his role in the historic Red River Rebellion.
Born in at the Red River Settlement, Riel was recognized for 鈥渁dvocating for M茅tis rights, Riel also fought for greater religious freedom, French language rights, First Nations rights, and greater gender equality throughout the Northwest,鈥� MNBC reports.
鈥淲e just like to celebrate him, because of all he did for the M茅tis, and along with other people, he wanted freedom for the M茅tis and [for them] to be able to live their life on their land,鈥� Sears explained. 鈥淪o we鈥檙e trying to provide some information to people just so they know a little bit about us.鈥�
Not only will Tuesday鈥檚 celebration be an opportunity for the public to learn more about Riel, there will also be a display of artifacts and jigging.
鈥淭he jigging is 鈥� it鈥檚 sort of like Irish jigging, but it鈥檚 with our own steps, but it鈥檚 a lively music,鈥� said Sears. 鈥淭he most famous is the Red River Jig.鈥�
The day will be another opportunity for the M茅tis to share their history and culture, Sears said, something she feels is often overlooked.
She said it might not be common knowledge but there are three Indigenous groups: Inuit, M茅tis, and First Nations.
鈥淲hen you talk about Indigenous, people think First Nations right away鈥� we were just as important, a part of history, Canadian history, and our history is getting lost,鈥� she said.
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