Celebrating Louis Riel Day in Winnipeg? Here are some ideas

If you're looking to get a feel for Louis Riel on the Manitoba holiday named in his honour, there are a number of things happening around Winnipeg.

A large mosaic of Louis Riel, composed of photographssubmitted byManitobans, was unveiled at Festival du Voyageur on Monday.

Festival organizers put out the call for photos in early December and received more than 200 submissions. The mosaic is on displayatFort Gibraltarforthe duration of the festival.

Lynn De Costercame to the festivalto check out the mosaic andsee if her picture was among the images selected. She was thrilled to see two of her photos included.

"Wonderful! It feels wonderful like I'm part of a family again,"she said, explaining thatshe was born in St.Boniface but doesn't have a lot ofinformation about her own family history.

"My heritage is French Mtis.I've been searching my family roots, and thisjust gives me a little bit of a sense of belonging."

• What's open and closed on Louis Riel Day in Winnipeg
• Prime Minister Justin Trudeau salutes Louis Riel on holiday Monday
• Louis Riel Day: Descendent of Mtis leader proud to celebrate heritage

Daralyn Derco and her husbandtooktheir two small children to the festival afamily tradition.

Derco is not Mtis but calls the festival a great opportunity to learnabout French Canadian culture.

"It's part of our heritage and how we came about.It's great," she said.

Robyn Guarino, who was also at the festival site on Monday, saidher seven-year-old daughter tookin voyageur workshops and learneda bit of history along the way.

"They went into the tipi and learned about how people used to live,learned about the fire," Guarino said.

If you want a more Riel-centric holiday, here are some ideas:

• Riel Gravesite

Visit Riel's gravesitein front of the St. BonifaceCathedralon Tache Avenue.

• St. Boniface Museum

After seeing the grave,walk over to the neighbouring St.Boniface Museumto see an art exhibit with aporcupine quillworkdemonstration, hearfiddle music, listen to Mtis stories and legends, and take indiscussions about Riel's writings.

The events run from 11 a.m. until 4 p.m.

• Riel House

Stop by Riel House at330 River Rd., though your visit will be limited to the outside.

The home, aNational Historic Site, is only open in July and August after falling victim tofederal budget cuts a few years ago.It was the home of Louis Riel's mother, Julie Lagimodire, and whereRiel lived from1868, through theRed River Resistance, until his exile in 1870. His body was atthe home for two days in December 1885, following his execution in Regina, before being buried inSt.Boniface.

• Canadian Museum forHuman Rights

The Canadian Museum for Human Rights (CMHR) is hosting a number of events, includingmusic, dancing, crafts and discussion.

In the Canadian Journeys gallery, visitors will find stories and exhibits about theMtisresistance, indigenous land rights andFranco-Manitobans'struggle for language rights.Costumed interpreters will be on hand to answer questions.

Bonnie & John Buhler Hall

• 11 a.m. Welcome by CMHRofficial family of Festival du Voyageurand mascot Lo La Tuque.
• 11:30 a.m. Theatrical performance for families.
• 1 p.m. Musical program opens.
• 1:25 p.m. Red Moon Road.
• 2 p.m. Ray St. Germain.
• 2:35 p.m. Patti Kusturok.
• 3:10 p.m. Sagkeeng's Finest.

In the galleries

• 10:30 a.m. to 12 noon Beading workshop.
• 11:30 a.m. to 12 noon Photos with Festival du Voyageurofficial family and mascot.
• 12 noon Discussion of Mtis rights in Canada led by former St.BonifaceMuseum directorPhilippe Mailhot.
• 1 p.m. to 2 p.m. Make your own clay beads.
• 2 p.m. to 3:30 p.m. Beading workshop.