Saskatchewan Polytechnic raised the provincial Métis flag over all four of its campuses in the province to honour cultural founder Louis Riel.
The Moose Jaw campus raised the flag on Nov. 15, with a small contingent of students and representatives of the New Southern Plains Métis Local 160 on hand to witness the event.
Student Adam Strong helped pull the flag up the pole. He explained that he volunteered to do it since he is from Moose Jaw and is Métis. He thought it would be appropriate to have someone from the community raise the banner; he has helped raise other flags before, but never the blue and white flag with the infinity logo.
“I’ve always been interested in Métis history and heritage. I have blood on both sides of my family,” he added.
LaVerne Trudel, president of the New Southern Plains Métis Local 160, explained it is a tradition in Saskatchewan to raise the flag and celebrate Louis Riel. The Métis community has its own provincial flag it flies that is different from the usual flag with which most people are familiar. The provincial flag has a bison on it with a Tiger Lily in the corner.
As Riel said before he was hanged for committing treason, it would take 100 years after his death before the Métis would arise and come back, Trudel said, something now happening throughout Canada.
The Métis are also receiving proper funding from the government, he continued. There is now more money for education, housing and health care. As society moves forward, Trudel hoped more people would help the children.
Louis Riel Memorial Day would normally be held on Nov. 16, but since that day this year is on Saturday, organizers thought it would be appropriate to hold the flag raising one day earlier.
Riel was born on Oct. 22, 1844 in the Red River Colony in present-day Manitoba. He was a Canadian politician and helped found Manitoba in 1870. He led two rebellions against the Government of Canada and was hanged for his crimes in Regina on Nov. 16, 1885.
