Families and Heritage: A look at February holidays in Canada

Next Monday is Family Day here in Alberta, a day where we are encouraged to take a break
from work and spend some time with our families. It’s a nice sentiment to devote a holiday to,
but this day of familial celebration is far from a nation-wide affair. Alberta and Saskatchewan
celebrate Family Day, but Canada’s third Prairie Province, Manitoba, took a bit of a
different angle when deciding on a theme for February’s statutory holiday. Next Monday is
Louis Riel Day in Manitoba, a day that celebrates the proud and sometimes controversial story
of the founding of Manitoba.Just like St. Albert, the lands around Winnipeg were first settled by Metis farmers who
were searching for land of their own that had not yet been claimed by the new nation of
Canada. These farmers, who were, for the most part, the descendants of French Canadian fur
traders and Indigenous Canadians were quite content to keep to themselves, but the Canadian
Government had other ideas for their land. Shortly after Confederation in 1867, the
government moved into the lands along the Red River, eager to add it to their dominion. The
Metis, not wanting to lose their land or their way of life, gathered under the leadership of Louis
Riel and started a resistance movement that would eventually lead to the creation of Manitoba
itself.

Riel’s rebellion stretched all the way across the prairies, even reaching as far as St. Albert,
where our own citizens formed militias to protect our town from possible rebel attacks. In the
end though, Riel was captured, convicted of treason and sentenced to death. In the century
since his execution, Canada has had a complicated relationship with the memory of Riel. Some
view him as a traitor, while others see him as a hero. But in 2007, Manitoba chose to firmly take
a side and named the third Monday of February Louis Riel Day, in honour of their founder.

Manitoba isn’t alone in its choice to celebrate its heritage during the month of
February. Prince Edward Island, Nova Scotia and the Yukon Territory all chose to devote a
holiday in February to the idea of provincial pride. Because of this, Family Day isn’t likely to
become a national holiday any time soon. And while our families certainly are worthy of
celebration, it’s worth wondering what an annual celebration of Alberta’s heritage might look
like and what theme we might give it.