NDP Statement on Louis Riel Day 2024
NDP MP Blake Desjarlais (Edmonton Griesbach) made the following statement:
“On November 16th 1885, 139 years ago today, the Canadian government executed Métis Leader, the Honourable Louis Riel. He was the founder of Manitoba, a father of the Confederation, and a brave defender and steward of Métis rights and self-determination. Riel was unjustly executed for opposing colonial polices that forcefully displaced Métis people.
Riel stood for the rights of Métis people and for minority French language rights in Canada. Generations of people to follow would pick up the torch left by President Riel and would go on to fight for greater respect and rights of Métis people. Today we recognize this pain felt by Métis people and commit to truth, justice, and reconciliation by recognizing this profound injustice and commit to a future of Metis dignity and pride, one that Riel would be proud of.
Today, New Democrats, along with Canadians across the country gather to pay their respects to the Honourable Louis Riel and recommit to continuing his legacy by fighting for justice and rights for all."
BLAKE IS MY MP
Let virtue be our soul's food'
A poem and introduction written by Louis Riel for his jailer about three weeks before Riel was hanged for treason: Robert Gordon! I beg your pardon for so having kept you waiting after some poor verses of mine. You know, my English is not fine. I speak it; but only very imperfectly.
The snow,
Which renders the ground all white,
From heaven, comes here below:
Its pine frozen drops invite us all
To white -- keep our thoughts and our acts,
So that when our bodies do fall,
Our merits, before God, be facts.
How many who, with good desires,
Have died and lost their souls to fires?
Good desires kept unpractic'd
Stand, before God, unnotic'd.
O Robert, let us be fond
Of virtue! Virtues abound
In every sort of good,
Let virtue be our soul's food. Louis (David) Riel Oct. 27, 1885 Regina Jail
No comments:
Post a Comment