(Vancouver, BC) The BC Métis Federation continues to celebrate the significance of Métis Days hosted as part of the Klahowya Village in Stanley Park last weekend. Long time activist Mr. David Doyle surprised BC Métis Federation leadership when he announced in his closing story telling segment that he wanted to gift two historic and very significant portraits to the organization for the work being successfully completed today.
Mr. Doyle has been the caretaker of the commemorative portraits of Louis Riel and Gabriel Dumont since Back to Batoche, 1885 – 1985, the Commemoration of the Centenary of the Northwest Resistance of 1885. This historic gathering was symbolically the rebirth of the Métis Nation after 100 years as Canada’s “forgotten people.”
Mr. Doyle has published a number of articles and books including; Centennial Calendar of the North West Resistance, 1885 – 1985 – which Mr. Doyle toured to Batoche and across Western Canada in 1985. Mr. Doyle also introduced Louis Riel to the Cuban people at the XXI International Book Fair in Havana Cuba, and his subsequent work, The Prophet and the Apostle of the New World, Louis Riel and Jose Marti, is presently being translated into Spanish for a bilingual publication for the XXII International Book Fair.
BC Métis Federation President Henry stated, “Mr. Doyle is an incredible person who truly understands and knows the true story of what Louis Riel, Gabriel Dumont, and other Métis leaders truly stood for. The honor to receive these pictures is very emotionally powerful for me. These are the leaders who gave us a voice, a community, and showed us to stand up for what we believe in. The BC Métis Federation tries our best to remember what true Métis governance meant for the people.”
BC Métis Federation President Henry concluded, “Thank you Mr. Doyle. You are a real leader and your work to educate the public about Louis Riel’s true story is astonishing. As a Métis person I want to thank you and know these pictures will be cared for and one day passed on to the next generation of Métis leaders who stand up and persevere through adversity and sacrifice for the betterment of our culture and community. On behalf of our board, members, and communities please accept my most sincere and humble appreciation.”
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.com
You can follow BC Métis Federation President Keith Henry on twitter @keithhenryMetis
[ilink url=”/wp-content/uploads/BCMF-Press-Release-July-6th-2012-David-Doyle-Honors-BCMF.pdf” style=”download”]Download the full letter in PDF format[/ilink]
[ilink url=”/wp-content/uploads/Riel-Portrait-to-BCMF-01-07-12-1-David-Doyle-Letter.pdf” style=”download”]Download Mr. Doyle’s full letter to BCMF in PDF format[/ilink]
