Toronto raises Métis flag to mark Louis Riel Day

The City of Toronto marked the 139th anniversary of the execution of Louis Riel on Saturday with a Metis flag raising ceremony at Nathan Phillips Square.

Mayor Olivia Chow said while Riel is no longer with us, the Métis Nation flag is a reminder that his love for the Métis Nation and Canada is "infinite" and "eternal."

"As we raise the Métis flag to commemorate Riel's life and work, and hold his legacy in our thoughts and hearts — a founder of Confederation, a great Métis leader, and an advocate for Métis rights — today we acknowledge not only Riel's contribution to Métis communities, but also the resilience, the accomplishments and the strength of Métis Nations."

Riel, the first president and leader of the Métis Nation, was charged with treason and hanged on Nov. 16, 1885, at the Northwest Mounted Police barracks in Regina. 

Chow said Toronto continues to support and work with Indigenous communities to fulfill Riel's vision of equal rights. 

"Today and every day, let's uphold his legacy … his tolerance and diversity and his unshakable conviction and the ideal of equity," she said.

'A powerful reminder'

Sharon Cadeau, vice-chair of the Provisional Council, Métis Nation of Ontario, described Riel as "a leader, a visionary and a symbol of resilience for Métis people across Canada."

She said the day is "a powerful reminder of the struggle and strength of our ancestors who fought for our right to exist, and our distinct people within what we know now is Canada. We celebrate our culture, our contributions, our sacrifices made by those who came before us. Riel believed that Métis people have the right to control our destiny, to determine our own future."

Cadeau said honouring Riel's legacy is not just about remembering the injustices Métis people faced, but also "celebrating [their] survival." 

"Throughout our Métis communities we see evidence of resilience. Our language, our music, our traditions thrive — passed down through generations. Our fight for self government continues, and this we fulfill Riel's dream of our people taking the rightful place of Indigenous people in this country," Cadeau said. 

"The flag raised here today is a symbol of the endurance and of our progress and a reminder of the Métis people who remember that in a country built on our homeland, we belong.

"On Louis Riel Day, let us honour our heritage, recognize the strength that carried us forward, and pledge to continue the journey toward respect, reconciliation that Louis Riel dreamed for all of us," Cadeau added.

Louis Riel Day is acknowledged every year in Ontario on Nov. 16.

In 2022, an apology was issued by the then mayor of Toronto on behalf of the City of Toronto for its role in contributing to the militarized action against Métis people.

Senator Suzanne Brunelle, of the Toronto and York Region Métis Council, was on hand to acknowledge John Tory's apology.

"The recognition of the City of Toronto's role in perpetuating racism and colonial violence towards the Métis — which continues to this day — is deeply significant," she said.

"The apology is a big step forward in our relationship with the city." 

At Saturday's event, Amie Therrien, secretary of the Toronto and York Region Métis Council, said Riel was "steadfast in his fight for justice" and was executed "because he challenged the status quo by fighting for the rights of the Métis people."

"Today, we celebrate Riel as a visionary and a leader. We remain inspired by his legacy as we seek to follow in his footsteps," Therrien added.