Open Letter to all friends of Louis Riel
AN OPEN LETTER TO ALL FRIENDS OF LOUIS RIEL
The Friends of Louis Riel is a non-partisan society organized to engage Canadians and international friends in creative conversations and actions relating to Louis Riel’s proper place in Canada’s history. We have a long-term vision of reconciliation and the exoneration of Louis Riel for Canada’s Sesquicentennial.
In light of the Canadian government full commitment to the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples (DRIP) and the historic 94 recommendations of the Residential Schools Truth and Reconciliation Commission (TRC) the question must be asked: How do we implement Louis Riel’s ideals of inclusiveness and equality? The answer is reconciliation.
The Truth and Reconciliation Commission has told all Canadians that healing, recognizing and undoing the errors of the past, is possible. As Canada enters its 150th year since Confederation Louis Riel’s conviction for high-treason stands as a prime example of Canadian injustices in the colonial era, dividing Canada on racial, religion, regional and language biases. The damage done by such a system has percolated through Canadian society with Aboriginal peoples and nations living in third world conditions, women missing and murdered, youth denied an education and incarcerated at alarming rates.
Although there have been numerous Private Members Bills seeking to have Louis Riel’s conviction for high-treason revoked, Riel remains branded a traitor to Canada. His trial and his execution remain a great injustice at the core of Canadian Confederation. In this regard, the Friends of Louis Riel call on Canadians and international friends to support the ideas and values of Louis Riel. We would be pleased to work with you to ensure that Canadians know and understand that the injustices of the past are being replaced with positive actions, including a Parliamentary exoneration and recognition of Louis Riel as Canada’s Métis Father of Confederation.
It is our hope that all Canadian and international friends of Louis Riel will call on the Canadian government to enact and pass a Parliamentary Bill of Exoneration, revoking all criminal charges against Louis Riel. We further request a Prime Ministerial exoneration recognizing Louis Riel as “Canada’s Indigenous (Métis) Father of Confederation” for Canada’s Sesquicentennial. Canada and Canadians could receive no finer birthday gift.
Meegwetch.
Sincerely,
Russell Brewer (President)
russellbrewer@shaw.ca Friends of Louis Riel Society
Inquiry into the Career of Louis Riel 
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