Métis Local 1990 President Angie Crerar reads a prayer during a small, private flag-raising ceremony at City Hall on November 16, alongside Grande Prairie Mayor Bill Given. Given proclaimed November 16 as Louis Riel Day in the City of Grande Prairie (Photo: Shaun Penner / EverythingGP)

By Shaun Penner

Métis Week

Métis flag raised at Grande Prairie City Hall to mark Louis Riel Day

Nov 16, 2020 | 3:03 PM

The flag of the Métis nation was raised at Grande Prairie City Hall on Monday morning, to mark Louis Riel Day and the beginning of Métis Week in Canada.

The flag has been raised each November 16 at City Hall since 2012 to mark the execution day of the former Métis leader in 1885. Riel led the Metis people in the Northwest Resistance. The resistance was undertaken against the Government of Canada that year for encroaching on Métis people’s rights and way-of-life.

Riel was eventually captured and tried for treason and was executed on this day 135 years ago.

The Métis flag (far right) is now flying at Grande Prairie City Hall (Photo: Shaun Penner / EverythingGP)

For Angie Crerar, the President of the Métis Local 1990 in Grande Prairie, she feels it is important to mark and honour the sacrifices of Riel for the Métis people and their future.

“I’m so glad we are able to put the flag up,” said Crerar. “It means a lot to us, and we will continue to teach, to promote, our Métis culture which is so close to our hearts.”

“We will work hard and take our place right here in Grande Prairie and also across Canada.”

Mayor Bill Given was on hand for the small, private ceremony to officially proclaim November 16 as Louis Riel Day in the City of Grande Prairie. He says he is proud to see the Métis flag fly over City Hall each year.

“City Hall should be a place that they (the Métis people) see as their City Hall. That’s why, over the years, raising the flag, I think, has meant so much to so many people.”

The Métis people have long-standing ties to Grande Prairie and the rest of the Peace Country. Shannon Dunfield with Métis Local 1990 in Grande Prairie was also on hand at the ceremony, where she spoke about her ancestors, Julienne and Alexis Campbell, being the first recorded inhabitants of the site which would later become known as the City of Grande Prairie.

It is believed they settled around 1885, where they built a house along Bear Creek where the former Southview IGA sits.

As part of the 100 Parks, 100 Names project undertaken by the City in 2014, the Campbells had a park named after them.

“We have a strong, rich Métis history here, so seeing the flag raised in our City is such an honour and such a pleasure to see,” said Dunfield.

Crerar also pointed to Mayor Given as a strong advocate for the Métis people in Grande Prairie, saying he agreed right away to raising the flag when she approached him about doing so in 2012.

“He believed in us right off the bat, and for that, I will always be grateful,” said Crerar.

“He has been a big support to all of us. Not only the Métis but all different ethnic people in Grande Prairie.”

MNA Local 1990 Grande Prairie has other plans to mark and celebrate Métis Week, which can be found on its Facebook page.