Saskatchewan worked together to organize ceremonies to raise the Métis Nation flag simultaneously in front of Saskatchewan RCMP Headquarters in Regina and the Saskatoon RCMP Building in Saskatoon on Louis Riel Day (Nov. 16).
At 8 a.m. sharp in the heart of the Saskatchewan RCMP's operations, Saskatchewan RCMP officers raised the Métis Nation flag to the sound of the Métis national anthem.
In Regina, the Métis Nation flag replaced the Saskatchewan RCMP ensign and joined the Canada and Saskatchewan flags in front the Saskatchewan RCMP Headquarters. In Saskatoon, the Métis Nation flag replaced the Saskatchewan RCMP ensign, joining the Canada flag in front of the Saskatoon RCMP Building on Brand Place.
The flag raising ceremonies included prayers from Métis Nation – Saskatchewan Western Region 3 Regional Director Wendy Gervais in Regina and Elder Norman Fleury in Saskatoon, as well as brief statements about the enduring relationship between Métis Nation-Saskatchewan and the Saskatchewan RCMP.
Saskatchewan RCMP Acting Commanding Officer Alfredo Bangloy said, “It is with great pleasure that we cherish our longstanding relationship with the Métis Nation and promise to continue strengthening it. Even though it is honouring Louis Riel’s death that brings us here together. Today, I choose to honour his life, which he dedicated to ensuring the continuation of the Métis people and, in doing so, ensuring our future relationship with you. By raising the Métis Nation flag on Saskatchewan Louis Riel Day, we wish to recognize the existence of the Métis as a Nation, the existence of Métis Nation-Saskatchewan as a government for Métis citizens and to celebrate the future of the Métis Nation.”
Métis Nation-Saskatchewan President Glen McCallum said, “Riel believed he acted honestly and that the time will come when the people of Canada will see and acknowledge that. The heroic stand Riel and his people took in Batoche for recognition, self-determination and self-governance is still alive and well today. We continue to strengthen our relationship with the Saskatchewan RCMP and all our working partners. The rights Riel fought for and believed in have not been forgotten and we will continue to progress with preserving our identity, culture, values and language.”
The raising of the Métis Nation flag is becoming a tradition for the Saskatchewan RCMP.
Saskatchewan RCMP has been raising the Métis Nation flag on Louis Riel Day at Saskatchewan RCMP Headquarters since 2017, to recognize the contributions Louis Riel made to Canada and the country’s longstanding relationship with the Métis Nation.
The Métis Nation flags will fly in front of these RCMP buildings all week.
