Historic Sask. flag raising marks Métis leader’s lasting impact

He was hanged nearby on Nov. 16, 1885, convicted of treason for his role in the North West Rebellion. Over a century later, he has become a Canadian folk hero for many based on his work to preserve Métis rights and culture.

And on Tuesday, one day before the anniversary of Louis Riel's death, the city of Regina, Sask. permanently raised a Métis flag at their city hall, a historical move the president of the Saskatchewan Métis Nation called "meaningful."

"This is the first city in Canada to fly a Métis infinite flag in its square," Robert Doucette told the CBC. "You know, I just think that it's setting the tone for the rest of Canada to follow and be inclusive of a great people who have given so much for this country."

The flag, raised in a well-attended ceremony, takes position near the Treaty 4 flag, a recent addition honouring the province's First Nations people. They both join the national, provincial, and municipal flags already in place.

Regina's longtime mayor, Pat Fiacco, said he hoped other Canadian cities would follow their example. "There's no question that we're making history and we're certainly hoping other cities will follow," he said.

"It is a recognition of the history of our country, particularly, in our province and in our city in respect to both First Nations and Métis culture and peoples."

As the Regina Leader Post reports, Russell Fayant, member of the Regina Riel Metis Council, gave a history of the Metis flag during the ceremony, which he said was the oldest flag indigenous to Canada, given as a gift by the Northwest Company in 1816.

The Quebec Fleur-de-lis and the British ensign were both imported and the Maple Leaf didn't come around until 1876, he added.

Fayant said the gesture, both "moving and miraculous" and hoped it would inspire community youth.

"As a Metis person living in Regina we don't have very many symbols of our culture to reflect back at us," he said.

"For the Metis youth, who attended the ceremony today, I hope that they look at that flag and think that they have things to aspire to and be proud to show their culture."

National celebrations to commemorate Riel continued through Wednesday, including the province's annual Louis Riel Day Vigil.