On Sept. 17, U of G will raise the Métis flag in recognition of Powley Day. The day marks the Supreme Court of Canada’s decision to recognize Métis harvesting rights as protected under the Constitution. The flag will remain up until Sept. 20.
“On Powley Day we celebrate the determination of Steve and Roddy Powley that led the Supreme Court of Canada to recognize and affirm the inherent rights of Métis people,” says Jamie Horner, Indigenous programs coordinator at U of G.
Horner is a citizen of the Métis Nation of Ontario and supports First Nations, Métis and Inuit students at U of G through her role at the Indigenous Students Centre. “It has been 18 years since the Supreme Court of Canada recognized the inherent right to harvest for ourselves and our families in our historic communities and protected that right for all future generations of Métis people,” she says. “We recognize Powley Day as a victory for all Métis people across Canada.”
To support physical distancing, a flag-raising ceremony will not be held this year, but you are encouraged to learn more about Powley Day on the Métis Nation website.