Manitoba introduces legislation that would recognize Louis Riel as 1st honorary premier
Premier Wab Kinew promised bill during election campaign
The Manitoba government has introduced a bill to recognize Métis leader Louis Riel as the province's honorary first premier.
Riel led a provisional government in what is now Manitoba, and led the negotiations that saw Manitoba join Confederation in 1870. He was hanged after a later resistance in what is now Saskatchewan.
"This is a proud day for our people, a proud day for all Manitobans, all societies, all nationalities, different relgions, different backgrounds, we're all Manitoba," said Manitoba Métis Federation president David Chartrand.
Chartrand says his group has been working for decades to have Riel recognized as the province's first premier.
"Thirty years of my life for sure I've been fighting for this," he said. "Thirty years of my life I've never given up on this dream that one day we'll achieve it, one day we'll correct the historical wrong and do what's right for Riel."
Manitoba Premier Wab Kinew says the bill will recognize Riel for his contributions, including establishing a list of rights for citizens.
"Louis Riel is the reason that I can serve as the First Minister of Manitoba," Kinew said. "Louis Riel is the reason that our cabinet at the provincial government can be formed in this building, your building, the people of Manitoba. And Louis Riel is the reason that any of us as MLAs can sit in the chamber here in the Legislative Assembly."
Kinew says the government also plans to ensure Riel's full story is taught in schools.
"This is certainly a proud day for the Red River Métis and for Métis citizens," Kinew said. "But today is meant to be a day of pride for all of us as Manitobans, because this is about acknowledging our true history as one people, as one province with a shared heritage and one common destiny moving forward into the future."
The Progressive Conservatives said Thursday they needed to read the bill before commenting on it.
Chartrand said anybody who votes against the bill will "become the enemy of the Métis nation for life."
With files from CBC News