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 committed to highlighting the anniversary in 2020 during events it delivers in Canada's Capital Region, such as Winterlude, Canada Day and the Sound and Light Show on Parliament Hill. It is also moving forward to include this anniversary as part of the Confederation Boulevard Banner Program.
• 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. Ongoing discussions with Métis Nation 150 organizers over possible commemorative projects related to this anniversary indicate that additional funding could be sought.
• The Minister of Canadian Heritage’s Mandate letter mentions: provide funding and support for the celebration of the 150th anniversary of the Métis Nation entering Confederation.

None