Manitoba introduces legislation that would recognize Louis Riel as 1st honorary premier

The Manitoba government has introduced a bill torecognize Mtis leader Louis Riel as the province's honorary firstpremier.

Riel led a provisional government in what is now Manitoba, and led the negotiations that saw Manitoba join Confederation in 1870.He was hanged after a later resistance in what is now Saskatchewan.

"This is a proud day for our people, a proud day for all Manitobans, all societies, all nationalities, different relgions, different backgrounds, we're all Manitoba," saidManitoba Mtis Federationpresident David Chartrand.

Chartrandsays his group has been working for decades to have Riel recognized as the province's first premier.

"Thirty years of my life for sure I've been fighting for this," he said. "Thirty years of my life I've never given up on this dream thatone day we'll achieve it, one day we'll correct the historical wrong and do what's right for Riel."

Manitoba Premier Wab Kinew says the bill will recognize Riel forhis contributions, including establishing a list of rights forcitizens.

"Louis Riel is the reason that I can serve as theFirst Minister of Manitoba," Kinew said. "Louis Riel is the reason that our cabinet at the provincial government can be formed in this building, your building,the people of Manitoba. And Louis Riel is the reason that any of us as MLAs can sit in the chamber here in the Legislative Assembly."

Kinew says the government also plans to ensure Riel's full storyis taught in schools.

"This is certainly a proud day for the Red River Mtisand forMtiscitizens," Kinew said. "But today is meant to be a day of pride for all of us as Manitobans, because this is about acknowledging our true history as one people, as one province with a shared heritage and one common destiny moving forward into the future."

The Progressive Conservatives said Thursday they needed to read the bill before commenting on it.

Chartrandsaid anybody who votes against the bill will "become the enemy of the Mtis nation for life."