Victoria, BC – BC Métis Federation leadership is celebrating a major achievement this week. The leadership has consistently advocated for support from the Provincial, Federal, and Municipal governments to recognize November 16th each year in respect of the date Louis Riel was wrongfully hung in 1885. This action led by the BC Métis Federation has been to raise public awareness while supporting Métis people and Métis culture throughout BC. The success has been strong over the years but today there was yet another major achievement this week. A historic achievement has been achieved as the legislature in Victoria will fly a Métis flag for the first time ever in British Columbia this Monday, November 16th after the original letter sent by BC Métis Federation on November 2nd to the Office of the Premier:
From: OfficeofthePremier, Office PREM:EX Sent: Wednesday, November 4, 2015 9:46 AM To: ‘Keith Henry’ Subject: RE: BC Metis Federation Request for Louis Riel Day November 16th, 2015Thank you, Mr. Henry. We have shared your request with our Office of Protocol and the Office of the Attorney General, and it is being discussed.
We do appreciate hearing from you and thank you for bringing the request forward.
From: OfficeofthePremier, Office PREM:EXSent: Tuesday, November 10, 2015 4:17 PM
To: ‘Keith Henry’
Subject: RE: BC Metis Federation Request for Louis Riel Day November 16th, 2015
Further to the response to you of Nov 4th, we are pleased to give you an update:
Approval to recognize the anniversary of the death of Louis Riel by flying the Métis Nation flag on November 16 at the Legislature has been granted by the Chief of Protocol pursuant to our Courtesy flagpole policy, section 2, which states that officially approved international, national or provincial flags (or equivalent jurisdictions) can be flown on appropriate occasions as approved by the Chief of Protocol.
Again, thank you for bringing your request forward.
BC Métis Federation President Henry stated, “This is a major step by the Province of British Columbia and the Office of the Premier. This is for all Métis people in the Province and I am so thankful for the respect of our culture on such a historic date. The relationship between the Province of British Columbia and the BC Métis Federation has not been constructive but this demonstration provides a new opportunity to show good faith and perhaps open new dialogue. I sincerely thank Premier Clark and her office for leadership on this important cultural and historic Métis issue. I welcome the Province of British Columbia to continue taking next steps to ensure all Métis people are further included in future Provincial Government work. However, for today BC Métis Federation observes this action as a very positive step for our members, partners, and all Métis in BC and we sincerely thank the Premier and her Office.”
For more information about the BC Métis Federation go to www.bcmetis.com.
Media Inquiries:
Keith Henry, President BC Métis Federation #300-3665 Kingsway Vancouver, BC V5R 5W2 Office 1-604-638-7220 Cell 1-778-388-5013 Email k.henry@bcmetis.comYou can follow BC Métis Federation President Keith Henry on twitter @keithhenryMetis
You can follow BC Métis Federation on twitter @BCMétis
[ilink url=”https://bcmetis.com/wp-content/uploads/BCMF-Press-Release-November-12th-2015-Province-to-Raise-Metis-Flag.pdf” style=”download”]Click here to download this Press Release in PDF format.[/ilink]
