Image courtesy Manitoba Metis Federation website

A provincial holiday in Manitoba appears to be helping promote the Metis culture and history.  That from Leah LaPlante a Vice-President of the Manitoba Metis Federation.  The third Monday of February each year is Louis Riel Day.

Back in 2008 schools were asked to submit names to designate for Manitoba's new day-off. In the end 11 schools said the day should be called Louis Riel Day and that is what the province went with in deciding what to call Manitoba's February holiday.

LaPlante says every year more and more schools and groups are calling to get flags and information on Louis Riel.

She hopes people treat Monday as more than a day off but rather a day to learn about the man considered to be the driving force behind Manitoba becoming Canada's 5th province.