The St. Boniface Cathedral has become a summer-time stage and the cemetery headstones a backdrop for performances of Historical Theatre in the Cemetery. A joint project of the St. Boniface Cathedral Parish and the Riel Tourism Bureau, In Riel’s Footsteps is an educational and dramatic look at the history of Manitoba and Western Canada.
The performances, available in both English and French, bring to life the historical figures buried on the site including Louis Riel, Father Joseph-Norbert Provencher and James McKay. Presented by actors in period costumes, the 45-minute guided tour focuses on the experiences of the province’s Francophone and Métis settlers.
The St. Boniface Cathedral and cemetery, a provincial heritage site in the heart of Winnipeg’s French Quarter, draw about 200,000 visitors a year. There are 6,000 graves in the cemetery, but only a few hundred headstones. Through programming such as the Historical Theatre in the Cemetery, visitors are able to learn more about the historical significance

continued...

of this landmark, and those who rest here. And, after the showing, one takes in The St. Boniface Museum next door. A former convent of the Grey Nuns that was built between 1845 and 1851, the Museum is the oldest remaining building in Winnipeg and the largest oak log structure in North America.
The collection covers the period of the fur trade and the Red River colony as well as the birth of the Métis nation. Displays focus on periods and events including the arrival of the missionaries and the Grey Nuns, Louis Riel and the founding of the province of Manitoba, the life of the pioneers, the development of the town of St. Boniface, the development of the Francophone community and the spread of French-Canadian culture in Manitoba.
The Winnipeg Foundation is pleased to support the production of In Riel’s Footsteps and the St. Boniface Museum and by the educational role these play in our city.

The Winnipeg Foundation

The dramatic scene across the Red River from The Forks and the interwoven history blend well with the LWF Tenth Assembly theme, "For the Healing of the World." Inside the towering ruined stone walls of St. Boniface Cathedral, destroyed by fire in 1968, is a modern cathedral built to serve the French-speaking Roman Catholic diocese.
This is where the Assembly Opening Eucharist will take place on 21 July 2003. Up high, where an enormous stained-glass window had been, a circular stone opening allows visions of the sky from the inside. From outside, the open circle draws attention inwards.
This sacred space, which has experienced its own death and resurrection, hosted the opening worship of the 1985 constituting convention that brought forth the Evangelical Lutheran Church in Canada (ELCIC). In a country with few large Lutheran churches, the ELCIC has often worshipped at national gatherings in Roman Catholic or Anglican churches. Close ecumenical relationships make this a natural and much appreciated practice.

                  - Some History -
In 1818, missionaries who had traveled two months by canoe from Quebec began the first Roman Catholic mission in western Canada on this site. The small French community of the Red River Settlement grew and established schools, a college and hospital. Many of their first settlers and missionaries are buried in the cemetery in front of the cathedral, including Métis leader Louis Riel, who was president of a provisional government in 1869-1870. The Métis people of mixed French and Aboriginal, or Canadian native descent feared losing their language and property rights when the territory would become a province of Canada in 1870.
The French and Métis communities continue strong language and cultural traditions in Winnipeg. Inside the cathedral, a Métis image of Christ, with wounded hands extended, welcomes worshippers at the table of grace. Here in the midst of death, ruin and new life, people from around the world will gather for the opening worship of the LWF Tenth Assembly.

The Lutheran World Federation
21-31 July 2003

Louis Riel - Founder of Manitoba

Winnipeg, Manitoba - The Métis people of Manitoba will never forget their past leader, Louis Riel. That is the message sent by the hundreds of people gathered today at the gravesite of Louis Riel, the Founder of Manitoba. Today the Manitoba Métis Federation was joined by Métis people, and indeed all citizens, from across Manitoba and Canada to honour Louis Riel with a day of commemoration and family activities at the St. Boniface Cathedral and the St. Boniface Museum grounds.
The Métis Nation gathered to pay its respects to Louis Riel with a series of events. When Riel’s body was laid to rest in 1885, the coffin was accompanied by Métis people who traveled from Riel House to the St. Boniface cemetery. This journey was recreated this morning as the Métis leaders including MMF President David

continued...

Chartrand walked the distance from Riel House in St. Vital to the St. Boniface Cathedral. Two Red River Carts accompanied the marchers.
On November 16th, 1885, through the flagrant disregard of the laws of Canada and the principles of justice, the Government of Canada murdered Louis Riel. Riel made the ultimate sacrifice for the Métis people and all people. He was not afraid to face death to ensure that the truth of Canada’s injustices to the Métis were told.
The memory of Riel and his contributions to the Métis people were recognized at the graveside ceremony. "We are here to remember the loss of our leader. At the same time, I believe it is a positive reflection to honour his memory by showcasing the culture of the people for whom he gave his life," said Chartrand. "Métis people attend Louis Riel Day to remember their past leader and the endless battle for recognition of our rights."
The afternoon was filled with activities honouring the Métis culture in a large tent located on the St. Boniface Museum grounds, adjacent to the Cathedral. Examples of Métis song, dance, food and other cultural events were provided by young Métis people and experienced Métis Elders. This commemoration was another symbol of the Métis commitment to honour Riel’s encouragement to live our culture.

The Métis are a distinct nation of Canada’s Aboriginal Peoples born of a mixture of European and native bloodlines. The Métis are primarily located on the prairies but also live in Ontario, British Columbia, Nunavut and the Northwest Territories in Canada. Census data estimate that approximately 200,000 (should be 300,000) individuals continue to self-identify with the historic Métis Nation today.
Originally, 'Métis' was used to describe the children of native women and French fur traders. As the fur trade expanded, English, Scandinavian and Irish bloodlines also became part of the Métis nation. During the early history of Métis settlements, the Métis acted as intermediaries between European and Indian cultures.

continued...

Working as interpreters, guides and mediators for forts and trading companies, they came to establish distinct settlements across the northern Prairie provinces. Louis Riel, seen by many as the founder of Manitoba, was a Métis born in the Red River Settlement, located near present-day Winnipeg.
Since Manitoba became part of Confederation in 1870, negotiated by a Métis leader, the Métis have continued to endure more than 100 years of struggle for recognition as a legally distinct nation. It wasn’t until the Constitution Act of 1982 that they were recognized, along with Indian and Inuit, as one of the three Aboriginal Peoples of Canada.

http://www.cbc.ca/news/background/aboriginals/metis.html