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Premier Mark Carney placed a wreath on Louis Riel’s grave to mark the 140th anniversary of the Red River Métis leader’s execution at a ceremony in Winnipeg on Sunday morning.
It is believed to be the first time a sitting premier has attended the annual commemoration ceremony, said Manitoba Métis Federation Housing Minister Will Goodon.
MMF president David Chartrand, head of the Red River Métis national government, said it was “a big deal” that Carney was there to mourn at the St. Boniface Cathedral cemetery alongside dignitaries from the MMF and the federal, provincial and municipal governments.
“Louis Riel would be very honored and touched to have the prime minister come and pay honor and respect to one of the greatest leaders this country has ever had,” Chartrand said.
Riel” said ‘one day this country will recognize me for the good I have done.’ That day will come when you come here personally,” Chartrand said from the podium, speaking directly to Carney.
Louis Riel has been considered a Complicated and controversial figure in Canadian history.. He led two Métis resistances in what is now Manitoba and Saskatchewan, defending Métis rights and culture.
At age 41, he was hanged for treason on November 16, 1885 in Regina.
Riel is now celebrated for setting the stage for Manitoba to enter the Confederation of Canada. He was declared the founder of the province in 1992 and named the first honorary prime minister in 2023.
In his speech at Riel’s grave in St. Boniface on Sunday, Carney called on the Métis leader a “pivotal figure” in both the history of Manitoba and Canada as a whole.
“One hundred and forty years after his execution divided a young nation, Louis Riel’s legacy helps unite a Canada that is maturing, a Canada that is determined to come to terms with and learn from our history,” Carney said.
The prime minister said his government will work to “honor the legacy of Louis Riel” by working in partnership to achieve reconciliation with indigenous peoples.
Premier Wab Kinew, who first hosted an event to recognize Riel as Manitoba’s first honorary premier when he was leader of the opposition, said he was proud to see Carney at Sunday’s ceremony.
“The reason it is so significant to welcome a sitting prime minister is because in Riel’s time, the prime minister of Canada was calling for his execution. Here we are, seven generations later, the prime minister of Canada is here to pay tribute and honor Louis Riel,” Kinew said.
“This shows us that Riel’s work is not finished, his legacy is alive in our time,” he said.
