Mar. 10: Parliament recognized Riel

March 10, 1992 - More than a century after hanging him for treason, the House of Commons unanimously passed the following motion about Louis Riel as introduced by Constitutional Affairs Minister Joe Clark:

"That this House take note that the Metis people of Rupert's Land and the North Western Territory through democratic structures and procedures took effective steps to maintain order and protect the lives, rights and property of the people of the Red River; 

That this House take note that, in 1870, under the leadership of Louis Riel, the Metis of the Red River adopted a List of Rights; 

That this House take note that, based on the List of Rights, Louis Riel negotiated the terms for the admission of Rupert's Land and the North Western Territory in the Dominion of Canada; 

That this House take note that these terms for admission form part of the Manitoba Act;  That this House take note that, after negotiating Manitoba's entry into Confederation, Louis Riel was elected thrice to the House of Commons; 

That this House take note that, in 1885, Louis Riel paid with his life for his leadership in a movement which fought for the maintenance of the rights and freedoms of the Metis people; 

That this House take note that the Constitution Act, 1982, recognizes and affirms the existing aboriginal treaty right of the Metis; 

That this House take note that, since the death of Louis Riel, the Metis people have honoured his memory and continued his purpose in their honourable striving for the implementation of those rights; 

That this House recognize the unique and historic role of Louis Riel as a founder of Manitoba and his contribution to the development of Confederation; and 

That this House support by its action the true attainment, both in principle and practice, of the constitutional rights of the Metis people."