Today is the 9th annual Louis Riel Day in Manitoba. It is a holiday that started in 2008, as the result of the Manitoba Government feeling there was too long a stretch without a winter break between New Year's Day and Good Friday.

Louis Bernardin of the Ste. Anne area wrote a book that came out a couple of years ago. The book is called "Louis Riel, avant et apres", or before and after.

Bernardin says Louis Riel is the hero of French Canadians in Manitoba, was the first Premier of Manitoba and was never recognized in Parliament.

Bernardin says the book he wrote touches on the last two days of Riel's life as well as the days following his hanging. He says it contains copies of documents given to him that are in the handwriting of Louis Riel, John A Macdonald and other politicians.

"I wrote a book on that because I have put my hands on information that we were never told," says Bernardin. "I'm 82 years old and I found this out at 80 years old, which is unfair."

Bernardin says for years, leading up to 2008, the French Association was promoting the recognition of Louis Riel. And then that year he was finally given a holiday in his remembrance.

"I celebrate Louis Riel Day every day of my life," says Bernardin.

He was awarded the Louis Riel trophy. He says as a French Canadian Manitoban it is just as good as being recognized by the provincial or federal government. The recognition comes for the promotion of French.