Louis Riel Day

How ‘sashing Riel’ spurred Métis inclusion at UM

Honouring Louis Riel's sacrifice and legacy

A close-up of the Louis Riel statue wearing a traditional Métis sash outside UM’s Indigenous Student Centre.
Estimated Read Time:
2 minutes
Estimated Read Time:
2 minutes
By

Kathleen Martens

Métis Knowledge-Keeper Deb Chaboyer offers a prayer at the Louis Riel statue, marking the lead-up to the Feb. 13 celebration on the University of Manitoba (UM) Fort Garry campus.

“We remember your sacrifice,” she tells the bronze likeness in front of Migizii Agamik–Bald Eagle Lodge that houses the Indigenous Student Centre.

Chaboyer is participating in an annual ritual known as “sashing Riel”, where a traditional Métis sash is wrapped around the statue’s waist as part of the countdown to Louis Riel Day festivities.

Justin Rasmussen, Director of Indigenous Leadership Programming, was there for the first sashing in February 2014.

“At the time, there was nothing big happening to mark Louis Riel Day,” he recalls.

The Louis Riel statue wearing a traditional Métis sash.
The Louis Riel statue outside UM’s Indigenous Student Centre wears a traditional Métis sash.
Two Métis men wear traditional Métis sashes indoors, one holding a Métis-themed book. Outdoors, a Métis Elder ties a red sash around the Louis Riel statue during the annual “sashing Riel” ceremony.
Left: Student Dene Beaudry and Justin Rasmussen, now Director of Indigenous Leadership Programming, after they first “sashed” Riel in 2014. Right: UM’s Métis Elder-in-Residence Norman Meade makes sure the sash looks just right.

 

“(Student) Dene Beaudry said we need to do something to call attention to the day.”

So, the pair took Rasmussen’s sash – the same one still used today – and wound it around the statue.

The activism reflected how Indigenous students were making their voices heard. They wanted to see their cultural history honored on campus.

“It’s something we should be doing,” agrees UM’s Métis Elder-in-Residence Norman Meade.

“In order to keep our ancestors with us, we have to do those things - ceremonial types of things - honouring them in a good way.”

The sashing was meant to draw attention to Riel’s legacy as a defender of Métis rights and founder of the province of Manitoba - the national homeland of the Red River Métis. Riel was officially recognized as the first premier of Manitoba in 2023.

This year, a record 3,292 Indigenous students registered to study at UM, with more than half self-identifying as Métis.

They are part of a campus community that now has a deeper understanding of Indigenous history.

Métis students are encouraged to feel pride in their identity and a sense of belonging at UM, thanks to various initiatives and spaces. Specific examples include in-house Elders, Kookums and a dedicated Métis Inclusion Co-ordinator.

The department of Indigenous studies, which recently celebrated its 50th anniversary, offers courses on historical and contemporary Métis issues. A growing number of Métis scholars are leading research in areas from Métis youth identity to textile arts, Métis Treaties to architecture, food sovereignty to culturally relevant health messaging, and more.

“We’re at a period in history now where we’re reclaiming our place and the things that we lost,” says Chaboyer, who works with the College of Nursing.

“It is a good time to be Métis.”

The Louis Riel Day Celebration runs from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. on Feb. 13 in the multi-purpose room of University Centre. It starts with a pancake breakfast, followed by music, crafts and interactive activities. Click on the link to register.

Boilerplate: reconciliation

At UM, we are working together to advance reconciliation for transformative change, which is among the commitments you’ll find in MomentUM: Leading change together, the University of Manitoba’s 2024–2029 strategic plan.