In December of 1985, the Manitoba Metis Federation Inc. appointed a "working group" to study the feasibility of establishing an institute which would serve as a vehicle to deal with the educational concerns and aspirations of the Métis people of Manitoba. The institute would be known as the Louis Riel Institute."
The Province of Manitoba was invited, and agreed to participate in a joint working group. Provincial members were appointed by the Minister of Education and the task was begun. The feasibility of the Louis Riel Institute was researched by the joint working group during 1986, supported by a contribution of $2,500.00 from the Minister of Education. Agreement as to the feasibility of establishing the institute was reached in January of 1987. The purpose of the institute, the goals, and the objectives were defined and agreed to by the joint working group with recommendations for further developmental work including: research, development of infrastructure, a library/ resource centre, publishing and eventual program development.
Subsequent to the agreement and recommendations of the joint working group, the Manitoba Metis Federation Inc. proposed in 1987 to enter into a bi-lateral agreement with the Province of Manitoba to continue the development of the "Louis Riel Institute." This initial proposal would have set the parameters and financial resources necessary to bring the institute from a concept to reality.
The Memorandum of Agreement was submitted to the Province of Manitoba in January of 1987, with no substantive response and no agreement concluded.
The Manitoba Metis Federation continued working during 1987 although resources were depleted. The Louis Riel Institute was incorporated in February of 1988 and would operate under provincial legislation. In May of 1988, a new submission was prepared to ensure that staffing and development of infrastructure would take place and that the institute would become operational.
The Louis Riel Institute Inc. was granted tax-exempt status as a registered charitable organization by Revenue Canada as of April 1, 1988. The tax-exempt status is based on the objectives and activities set out in the submission to the Minister of Education for 1988-89, relating to the ability of the L.R.I. to conduct research, provide advocacy and develop programs.
The Institute was created by an Act of the Manitoba Legislature, which received royal assent on November 3, 1995. As a charitable non-profit organization, the institute promotes the educational and cultural advancement of Métis People. The Louis Riel Institute is also responsible for promoting awareness of the values, culture, heritage and history of the Métis people in Manitoba.
The Louis Riel Institute has an important role in working to improve the quality of life for the Métis people in Manitoba.
The institute's priority is to work at strengthening the education of the Métis nation. We are also committed to promoting an increased understanding of our culture and heritage for the benefit of current and future generations.
The goals of the LRI are to promote the renewal and development of Metis culture through research, material development and dissemination of cultural material, to design, develop and deliver quality educational and cultural programs and services and to provide educational opportunities that are uniquely suited to the aspirations of the Métis people.
The Louis Riel Institute has established its own internal structure necessary to build for the future and deliver the services approved by its Board of Directors. The institute is currently embarking on a variety of service initiatives to implement these activities, which will benefit Métis people.
The current public school system is not serving the Métis interests well, and Métis people remain behind in terms of educational achievement, cultural awareness, and economic development. By taking greater control of our educational and cultural interests, we hope to do something constructive about our people's current concerns and circumstances.
Within this website you will find a wealth of information which will help you understand the current and future initiatives of the Institute.
The Louis Riel Institute is responsible for:
a) The promotion and undertaking of support research into Manitoba history and into the culture, education and languages of the Métis people.
b) The establishment, support and conduct of education and training programs.
c) Advocacy for the Métis people and others in the area of education.
d) Establish and administer scholarship programs for the Métis students.
e) Provide advice and reports to the Government of Manitoba about education and cultural matters relating to the Métis people, either on its own initiative or at the request of Government.
f) The (LRI) Louis Riel Institute acts as a resource centre and archive for written and other materials concerning Métis education, history, heritage, culture and languages. Further, it would also provide and publish written materials and any other resources that relate to education curriculum development.