Louis Riel Day is held Nov. 16 to mark the anniversary of his death. (Derek Cornet/larongeNOW Staff)

By Derek Cornet

Métis Nation

Louis Riel Day festivities planned tonight at Kikinahk Friendship Centre

Nov 16, 2021 | 12:38 PM

Residents of the tri-community are welcome to La Ronge’s Kikinahk Friendship Centre to celebrate Louis Riel Day.

That’s according to Jim Brady Local No. 19 president Lazar Lafleur, who explained activities will begin at 5:30 p.m. The event will include a meal, music, performers, as well as exhibits, voyageur games and animal calling.

“We will run that roughly to about 8:30 p.m.,” he said. “We will have door prizes for anyone who attends. We are thinking of 150 people depending on the weather.”

Louis Riel Day is held every year on Nov. 16 and is held on the same day he was executed in Regina in 1885. Riel was a Métis leader, founder of Manitoba and held a pivotal role during the Northwest Resistance.

For the younger generation, Lafleur noted Louis Riel Day is about introducing them to who he was and what he stood for. The day is also a chance for the Métis community to come together and strengthen bonds between each other.

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“What we are trying to do is get the Métis community more active,” Lazar said. “That’s our overall goal, so the people can see what we’re doing. We want to be transparent in what we are doing and we want people to be aware of what we have available for them.”

Lafleur became the Jim Brady Local No. 19 president back in June and took over from Laura Burnouf, who is now a regional representative with Métis Nation – Saskatchewan.

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derek.cornet@pattisonmedia.com

Twitter: @saskjourno