Manitoba PCs want Riel honored

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Ottawa

Metis leader Louis Riel may be on the verge of being recognized as Father of Confederation, more than a century after he was hanged by the federal government for being a

traitor.

On Aug. 25, the Aboriginal caucus of Manitoba's Progressive Conservative party unanimously passed a resolution in Ottawa calling on the party to recognize Riel as a "Father

of Confederation."

"The history books are all universally biased to the view Riel was a madman and that he was a traitor and that he was hung for his dastardly deeds," says Tony Belcourt, a

delegate of the Party's Aboriginal caucus.

"It's an incorrect view of history and we've got to change it. Riel was a great hero," he declared.

The caucus wants an all-party resolution passed in the House of Commons to recognize Riel as a Father of Confederation.

The initiative was given an "extremely positive" reception at the main policy session of the party's Ottawa convention, according to Belcourt who put forward the motion.

"Perhaps there are some guilt feelings but that doesn't seem to by why people are responding. It seems to be because we have let this slip under the rug for so long," he said.

However, Belcourt said the onus is on the Native community to ensure history books are rewritten and ignorant attitudes changed about Riel's role in Canadian history.

Belcourt said he has no idea how long it'll take to have the party recognize Riel.

"The campaign has just begun. Hopefully within months, we can see something happen in the House of Commons," he said.

"It's an historic step," said Billyjo De La Ronde, executive director of the Manitoba Metis Federation.

The move is long overdue, he said.

Riel was elected three times to the House of Commons as MP for Provencher constituency in Manitoba on Oct. 13, 1873 and on Feb. 14 and Sept. 3, 1874

As president of the Provisional Government of Manitoba, Riel negotiated Manitoba's terms of entry into Confederation -- full provincial status.

The Conservative cabinet of Sir John A. Macdonald endorsed the execution of Riel, who led the North-West Rebellion, for treason. Riel was hanged on Nov. 16, 1885 in

Regina.

The position of the Manitoba PCs Aboriginal caucus is that Riel should be recognized as a Father of Confederation since all other leaders who brought their provinces into

Confederation have been recognized as such.

Belcourt, who is a Metis from Lac Ste. Anne, Alberta but now lives in Ottawa, has been a long-time lobbyist for Metis and non-status Indian concerns.

The Metis National Council (MNC) intends to raise the issue of recognition for Riel at a Sept. 20 meeting with Federal Justice Minister Doug Lewis, who is also the minister

responsible for Metis affairs.