October 22, 2015
Province Launches New Teaching Tool Highlighting Achievements of Forgotten Legislative Assembly of Assiniboia
A new interactive website and teachers’ guide developed by the Manitoba government in partnership with the Louis Riel Institute and the Manitoba Metis Federation will help high school students understand and appreciate the accomplishments of the Legislative Assembly of Assiniboia, Education and Advanced Learning Minister James Allum announced today.
“The Métis people played a pivotal role in Manitoba’s history and political development, so it’s fitting that we’re launching this new learning resource on the birthday of Louis Riel, founder of this province and leader of the Métis people,” said Minister Allum. “Students here in Manitoba and across Canada will benefit from this engaging resource, which will help to redefine our perception of the accomplishments of Métis people.”
The new bilingual website includes a historical simulation of political events leading up to Manitoba joining Confederation, focusing on the accomplishments and significance of the Legislative Assembly of Assiniboia. The simulation is geared primarily toward the Grade 11 Canadian history curriculum in Manitoba.
The highly graphic website takes students through themed modules and includes a teachers-only section with lesson plans. Opportunities for students to reflect on historical concepts are built into the website, which is the first Métis resource of its kind in Canada. This resource will be recommended for all schools in the province, the minister said.
“From before Confederation the Métis people emphasized equality of people, language and religion,” said David Chartrand, president, Manitoba Metis Federation. “The Manitoba Metis Federation is proud to be a part of this educational tool that highlights the contribution of the Métis nation as founders of Manitoba and Canada’s negotiating partner in confederation.”
The Legislative Assembly of Assiniboia sat from March 9, 1870, to June 24, 1870, with Louis Riel as its president, and a council representing French and English communities equally. It was formed during the Red River Resistance and ratified the Manitoba Act in June of 1870, allowing Manitoba’s entry into Confederation. The minister noted that in making the transition from martial law to representative democracy in a period of months, the assembly was a unique political body in Canadian history.
The Legislative Assembly of Assiniboia was lost to history until Nov. 15, 2010, when it was recognized and celebrated as the first democratically elected government in the region that would become Manitoba, the minister added.
The new resource promotes better understanding of Métis history and culture, which is one of the goals itemized in the Manitoba Métis Policy Framework developed in 2010 by the Manitoba government and the Manitoba Metis Federation. The other goals include:
- enhancing Métis participation in the provincial decision-making process;
- applying a distinctions-based approach that respects the unique roles of Métis people past and present; and
- improving relationships between the province and all organizations representing Métis interests.
To view the resource and find out more about the Legislative Assembly of Assiniboia, go to www.legislativeassemblyofassiniboia.ca.
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