Canadian Museum for Human Rights activities honour Mtis leader Louis Riel
Celebration and education mark holiday named for Manitoba founder
"[Louis Riel] played a really large role in helping found Manitoba as a province. He talkedabout Mtis rights along with French language rights, so I feel like that is something we should be celebrating today," said Christina Stokes, a program interpreter at the museum.
Events on the main floor in Buhler Hall were free to attend. There was also programming throughout the galleries for those who paid admission to the museum.
There wasa beading workshop, a Mtis rights discussionand local bands played throughout the afternoon.
Museum-goer Amber Reimer was there with her family to take in the museum for the first time. She admitted she didn't know very much about Louis Riel, but came to learn more.
"It's good to remember because it makes us think about where we came from, and what our nation is built on," she said.
"We know he was influential in Manitoba and started a resistance and stood up for Mtis rights, but we came to learn a bit more about that," he said.
"I think he's an influential Manitoban and it's important to understand what he did for our province and what he did for Mtis rights around Canada," said Stephanie Geith.