Question Period Note: 150th anniversary of the Métis Nation entering Confederation

In 2020, the Métis Nation will celebrate its 150th anniversary that aligns with the entry into Confederation of the province of Manitoba through the Manitoba Act, 1870.

• The Government of Canada recognizes the role of the Métis Nation and Louis Riel’s leadership in negotiating Manitoba’s entry into Confederation.
• The government intends to move forward to advance the priorities identified by the Métis Nation, including providing support for the celebration of the 150th anniversary of the Métis Nation entering Confederation.
• The government will continue to engage with the Métis Nation to determine the best ways to mark this anniversary.

• In 2020, the Métis Nation will celebrate its 150th anniversary that aligns with the entry into Confederation of the province of Manitoba through the Manitoba Act, 1870.
• In early 2019, the Métis National Council (MNC) circulated a proposal across the Government of Canada, including to the Department of Canadian Heritage, to seek funding support for various Métis Nation 150 projects and activities designed to acknowledge and mark this anniversary.
• Canadian Heritage, through the Major Events, Commemorations and Capital Experience Branch, has held meetings with the MNC to discuss initiatives that could be explored through existing events and celebrations to highlight this anniversary, namely events in Canada's Capital Region such as Canada Day, Winterlude and the Sound and Light Show on Parliament Hill.
• The Commemorate Canada program has currently invested over $350 000 over the next two years to commemorate anniversaries associated to Métis Nation 150, such as the 175th anniversary of the birth of Louis Riel and the 150th anniversary of the Red River Resistance. The program may fund additional projects related to Métis Nation 150 and has set aside up to $500 000 to do so.

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