Louis Riel Day: Honouring Métis Leadership in Manitoba
Each February, Manitobans observe Louis Riel Day to honour the life and legacy of Louis Riel, a Métis leader who helped shape the province’s history. The day recognizes his leadership during the Red River Resistance and his role in negotiating Manitoba’s entry into Confederation in 1870.
For educators, Louis Riel Day offers an opportunity to centre Métis history, governance, and identity in meaningful ways. It invites learners to explore how Métis leadership influenced the formation of Manitoba and how those conversations continue to shape discussions about rights, belonging, and self-determination today.
Why Louis Riel Day Matters in the Classroom
Louis Riel remains a complex and significant historical figure. Some remember him as a political leader and the founder of Manitoba. Others view him through the lens of resistance and justice. Exploring these perspectives encourages critical thinking and helps learners understand how history reflects power, voice, and interpretation.
Louis Riel Day also provides an opportunity to learn about the broader history of the Métis Nation. Educators can use this time to highlight Métis culture, governance, language, and contributions to Canadian history. When learners engage with Métis perspectives directly, they gain a deeper understanding of Manitoba’s foundations and Indigenous leadership across the country.
Supporting Meaningful Learning About Louis Riel and Métis History
To support classroom learning, we have curated a collection of free, classroom-ready resources that centre Louis Riel and Métis voices. These resources help educators:
- Introduce Louis Riel’s role in Manitoba’s entry into Confederation
- Explore Métis governance and community leadership
- Examine primary and secondary sources
- Encourage reflection on identity, resistance, and reconciliation
- Connect historical events to present-day conversations about Indigenous rights
Whether you teach in Manitoba or elsewhere in Canada, these resources provide accessible entry points for engaging learners with Métis history in thoughtful and respectful ways.
Classroom Resources for Louis Riel Day
- Who are the Métis? People, Land, and Culture (Resource Kit) – This resource kit introduces learners in grades 4-5 to key aspects of Métis identity, including language, land, symbols, and important figures. Students will create story cards to represent what they’ve learned and use them to design a scene that shares their understanding of Métis culture.
- Louis Riel, the Red River Resistance, and Beyond (Resource Kit) – Designed for older learners (grades 6–12), this resource kit includes extension activities that deepen understanding of Métis identity, Louis Riel’s leadership, and the Red River Resistance. Through critical reflection and discussion, students examine how these historical events relate to contemporary Métis experiences.
- Rupertsland Institute – Métis Week Resources – Find Métis-developed learning materials, printables, and activities for various grade levels from the Métis Centre of Excellence.
- Manitoba Métis Federation — Explore community events, commemorations, and activities taking place across Manitoba.
Continuing the Conversation
Louis Riel Day is an opportunity to reflect on Métis leadership, self-determination, and the shaping of Manitoba. By engaging learners with Métis history and perspectives, educators help foster deeper understanding, critical thinking, and respect for Indigenous governance and nationhood.
We encourage you to explore the resources and bring these conversations into your classroom.
Image: https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/c/c4/Louis_Riel_Statue.jpg
“Louis Riel Statue” is licensed under CC BY-SA 3.0.
