Councillor Peter McKenna, chair of the Committee of the Whole meeting in Smiths Falls on Monday night, brought up the possibility of Smiths Falls acknowledging Louis Riel Day on November 16 with the raising of the Métis flag. This was prompted by a request several weeks ago, when Smiths Falls town council received a letter from Highland Waters Métis Council.

Deputy Clerk Nadine Bennett added “this was fully supported by our Racism and Discrimination Task Force. The Task force recommends we proceed, and raise the flag for Louis Riel Day.”  In their report recommending the raising of the flag, the Racism and Discrimination Task Force noted that “the Town of Smiths Falls’ Flag Policy denotes that flags may be flown on

the community flag pole at Town Hall to celebrate multi-cultural and civic events important to the

Town of Smiths Falls and so declared by Council in the form of a resolution or proclamation.”

This proposal had the full support of council. 

Louis Riel Day is celebrated on November 16, the anniversary of Louis Riel’s execution in 1885. The Métis flag will be raised at town hall on Tuesday, November 16.

Article by Janelle Labelle