Batoche, Saskatchewan
July 20, 2012
Check against delivery
Good morning. It’s a pleasure to return to the historic Batoche Park on the Louis Riel Trail and participate in the Opening Ceremony of the Back to Batoche Days with you.
This event is a dramatic reminder of the rich heritage and culture of the Métis people and the contribution they have made, and continue to make, to Canada.
Back to Batoche Days gives us the opportunity to recognize the vital role the Métis played in our shared history.
Today we stand together on ground that is of immense significance to the history not just of Western Canada, but of the whole country. Indeed, the events that took place here 172 years ago, and the efforts of the men and women involved, have helped to shape the Canada we know today.
Figures such as Gabriel Dumont, Maxime Lépine, Moise Ouellette and Louis Riel have been woven into the fabric of our shared history. Their exploits as leaders of their communities, fighting for their place in Canada, will be read about for generations by those who seek to understand our country.
While the Battle of Batoche remains a significant part of our history, it is also important to that we remember the contributions of the Métis people to other conflicts that have shaped Canada, including the War of 1812, the First World War, the Second World War and the Korean War, as well as other combat and peacekeeping missions our men and women in uniform have participated in, including Afghanistan.
The Métis Veterans' Memorial Garden, opened in 2010, and the Métis Veterans' Memorial Monument, which is currently in development, will together serve as powerful reminders of both their sacrifices and our democracy, which our men and women in uniform fight to protect.
It’s with pride and respect, then, that the Harper Government is providing support to this year’s Back to Batoche Days celebration. However, we are not only supporting initiatives that increase awareness of your contributions to Canada. Our government is also working with you to address the priorities set out in the Métis Nation Protocol.
The Protocol, agreed upon in 2008, serves as an opportunity for lasting partnerships to be built between the Métis National Council, its provincial Governing Members and the federal government. Together, the partners are making tangible progress in improving the quality of life outcomes for Canada’s Métis people. We must continue to work together to sustain the progress we have made.
Today, we are here to pay tribute to and celebrate the Métis nation’s historic role in shaping the country of Canada. But we are also here to look forward to a bright future for Canada’s Métis people. I would like to thank you for welcoming me to Back to Batoche Days once again, and wish you all a happy celebration.
Thank you.
