"Louis Riel Day, November 16, 2005 with the Toronto Métis Community at Toronto City Hall Was Spectacular"
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November 16, 2005, Riel's memory and Riel the man, were honoured by the local Greater Toronto Métis community. An honour speech was given by Conlin Delbaere accompanied on violin by his brother Nicholas, both cousins of Louis Riel. Their mother Krista, a 5th generation cousin was all smiles as her children wove a magical tribute to Riel with musical movements underscoring the themes of Conlin's speech; loss and despair, heroic struggle, and finally recognition, opportunity and hope for Métis people. His worship Mayor David Miller, with Métis children literally at his feet, looked out on three generations of local Métis people and presented them with the following proclamation. Louis Riel Day, November 16, 2005. Whereas Métis people are recognized in the constitution Act 1982, as one of Canada's Aboriginal Peoples across Canada. To the Métis People, Louis Riel was a great humanitarian, elder and leader who in the process of working for the rights of the Métis in western Canada helped lay the framework for minority rights and cultural cooperation in Canada. November 16, is recognized as Louis Riel Day by the Métis Nation who celebrates their National Holiday with commemorative ceremonies and events at various locations across Canada including Toronto City Hall. The people of Toronto and Toronto City Council are in the forefront of efforts to ensure that everyone has the right to live in conditions of dignity, respect and peace. Toronto City Council will continue it efforts to strengthen partnerships with orders of government, community organizations, as well as the public and private sectors, to honour and protect the rights of all Aboriginal peoples. Now therefore, I, Mayor David Miller, on behalf of Toronto City Council, do hereby proclaim November 16, 2005 as Louis Riel Day in the City of Toronto to recognize his contribution and the contribution of the Métis Nation to the building of Canada. A flag raising ceremony raising the Métis flag was conducted by Councillor Jane Pitfield, Mayor David Miller and his special assistant for this purpose 9 year old Métisse Carly Holmstrom, Métis Veteran President Harvey Horlock, and other Métis representatives. A delicious breakfast courtesy of the City of Toronto was held thereafter and enjoyed by all. THE SPEECH Introduction: Good Morning my name is Conlin Delbaere-Sawchuk, and it is my special privilege to be here this morning to honour the memory of my 4th cousin, Louis Riel. You see, the Métis people are careful to remember their ancestry and to celebrate the struggles and achievements of their forebears as with Louis Riel who I think of as an inspiration and prototype for the modern warrior continuing the struggle for our rights within Canadian Society. Riel was raised and commenced his education in the area that is now known as Winnipeg, Manitoba (my hometown). When he was a young lad, he was sent to Montreal for the purpose of studying, and received the best education available in those days. When Louis returned to Fort Gary the Canadian government sent out representatives to survey the land who simply measured it in blocks and marked it as their own. When they came upon the property of my great great great great Uncle André Nault, Mr Riel staged a demonstration with fifteen Métis to clearly show our refusal to give up our land. It was Riel who realized, that without someone to represent and lead them, the Métis people's land and way of life would be sold right out from underneath them by the Canadian government of that day. Today we continue to struggle with those who would take what is ours. Death 120 years ago on this date, Louis Riel was executed in Regina Saskatchewan. On December 9th his body was returned to St.Vital to rest for 2 days in his mother s house. A requiem mass was sung December 12 at St. Boniface Cathedral and his body was buried in the churchyard. This man, my cousin lived and died for the rights of the Metis people and of French Canadians and is acknowledged as the founder of the Province of Manitoba. His death was intended to kill the Métis cause and disperse the Métis people. Struggle The Metis people felt oppressed by the association with Louis Riel after his death. My grandmother tells me stories about conversations with her grandmother and how they lived in fear to be associated with Louis Riel because they feared for their lives and feared they would also be accused of wrongful doing. The Métis masked themselves as non- Métis people so that they could survive and have a better life for their children. Hope Now as I stand here there is hope for my generation to re-emerge and stand proud and say I am Métis. And I am proud to be Métis. Now I can commemorate Louis Riel’s death in a public place, and know that others acknowledge the great visionary he was. I only wish my great-grandmother who never had the freedom to properly mourn this great man’s death could be here with me today to celebrate his life. Perhaps in some way she is. And so I say welcome to all of you today who come here to acknowledge Louis Riel’s sacrifice for the Metis people and to all lovers of democracy, and seekers of justice and truth. In closing I give you Métis people a message from my cousin, Louis Riel.
Oh my Metis Nation! Take courage! I see you change: It is great... THE PHOTOS
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