This year, on the 139th anniversary of Louis Riel’s execution at the hands of the Canadian government, BC Métis Federation President Keith Henry is calling for the Canadian government to do more than offer public statements of support or a suggestion to pardon the Métis leader. He is also calling for the full exoneration of Louis Riel and the twenty four other Métis who fought in the Battle of Batoche, including his direct ancestors Pierre Henry and Pierre Parenteau:

1. Louis David Riel (hung)
2. Alexander Cayen (7 years)
3. Philip Guardupuy (7 years)
4. Maxime Dubois (7 years)
5. Maxime Lapine (7 years)
6. Philip Garnot (7 years)
7. Pierre Vandal (7 years)
8. Pierre Henry (7 years)
9. Albert Monkman (7 years)
10. Pierre Paranteau (7 years)
11. James Shark (7 years)
12. Baptiste Vandal (7 years)
13. Alex Fisher (3 years)
14. Pierre Guardupuy (3 years)
15. Moise Oulette (3 years)
16. Joseph Arcand (1 year)
17. Ignace Poitras Sr. (1 year)
18. Ignace Poitras Jr. (1 year)
19. Moise Parenteau (1 year)
20. Joseph Delorme – sentenced at a later date
21. Alexander Lobenibarde – sentenced at a later date
22. Joseph Pilon – sentenced at a later date
23. Baptiste Rocheleau – sentenced at a later date
24. Petrie Tourand – sentenced at a later date
25. Frances Tourand – sentenced at a later date

The 1885 Battle of Batoche was the last major action of the North-West Resistance, the time during which Métis in present-day Saskatchewan were being dispossessed of their land, title and political representation. For Métis, losing the Battle of Batoche meant the death of their leader, Louis Riel, and the removal from the lands they occupied at St. Laurent, Fish Creek (Tourand’s Coulee) and Batoche areas. Today these communities no longer exist and Batoche has become a historic site through Parks Canada with minimal connection to the actual historic families of 1885.

“It is time we as Métis address the actual families who were most directly impacted. I cannot stand by and listen to any Métis leader in Canada who refuses to support the exoneration of Louis Riel and our families, when they have no direct ancestral connection to the events that profoundly impacted over 100 Métis families from either Batoche, Fish Creek, or St. Laurent in Saskatchewan.”

Keith Henry’s relatives played numerous roles in the Battle of Batoche, including his great great uncles Pierre Henry and Pierre Parenteau, who were wrongly convicted of treason. Some of his other ancestors died, and many fled and denied who they were for generations. This also included his great great great grandfather Donald Ross who was killed by Canadian soldiers on the last day of battle, May 12th, 1885.

“It’s high time the valiant efforts of Louis Riel and our Metis families are exonerated by a Canadian government that claims to want to work towards truth and reconciliation,” said Keith Henry, BCMF President. “But it’s not enough to only exonerate Louis Riel — we also need to recognize and exonerate those Metis ancestors who fought to protect our way of life, many of whom lost their lives due to their determination to envision a better future for their people.”

BCMF is commemorating Louis Riel Day and highlighting the importance of his legacy at a number of Métis Cultural Events held throughout the province. Click here for more information on the events.