The Métis Nation Celebrates 15th Anniversary of Louis Riel Day

TORONTO (November 15, 2007) --- Hundreds  of Métis Citizens and friends are expected to gather at the Northwest Monument  at Queens Park in Toronto on Friday to take part in the 15th Annual Riel Day  Commemorative Ceremony.

Ontario’s first stand-alone Minister of Aboriginal Affairs, Michael Bryant, and Grand Council Chief of the Anishinabek Nation, John Beaucage, will be among those in attendance this year.

"November 16th marks a significant occasion of observance for the Métis Nation," said Métis Nation of Ontario President, Tony Belcourt.  "This date gives us an opportunity to bring about an enlightened focus on the significant role and achievements of Louis Riel and the Métis Nation in the building of Canada."

The events will begin at 10:30a.m.  with the  raising of the Métis Nation flag and a sacred pipe ceremony to commemorate the  Nation to Nation Relationship between the Métis Nation and the Anishenabek  Nation. 

The Métis are a distinct Aboriginal people with a unique culture, language, and heritage, and with an ancestral Homeland that centers around Ontario, Manitoba, Saskatchewan, Alberta, British Columbia, parts of the Northwest Territories, as well as the northwestern United States.  The Métis played an instrumental role in the shaping of Canada and work tirelessly to share their culture, music, traditions, and knowledge of the environment with their fellow Canadians. Today, the Métis live, work, raise their families and pay taxes in communities all across Canada.