MMF commemorates the 208th anniversary of the Victory at Frog Plain: Declaration of la Nouvelle Nation/the New Nation

June 19, 2024

Winnipeg, MB, in the National Homeland of the Red River Métis -Today, the Manitoba Métis Federation (MMF), the National Government of the Red River Métis, commemorated the 208th anniversary of the Victory at Frog Plain (la Victoire de la Grenouillère), also known as the Battle of Seven Oaks.

"This battle was the culmination of the Pemmican Wars and the escalating fur trade disputes, and Cuthbert Grant's declaration that the Red River Métis are the new Nation was a signal that the Red River Métis would live and trade freely in our Homeland," said Will Goodon, MMF Minister of Housing and Property and descendant of Cuthbert Grant. "This was one of the first times Canada's oldest patriotic flag - our Red River Métis national flag - was flown, which highlights the existence of our people as a Nation before Canada became what it is today."

In the past, this battle was referred to as the massacre of Seven Oaks, with the Red River Métis participants cast in the role of villains, in spite of clear eyewitness reports that it was Governor Semple's men who instigated the battle. This event was one of the first documented times the Red River Métis declared our Nationhood and defended our right to trade and travel freely across our Homeland, which is why we honour this anniversary every year.

"The recent passage of the Louis Riel Act in Manitoba as an education bill is an important step toward ensuring the true and accurate history of this province, including the role of the Red River Métis in its creation, is taught to future generations," said Minister Goodon. "Yet, at the same time, our identity remains under threat from those who would seek to steal our history and our culture for their own purposes. It's our responsibility to our Ancestors and to our future leaders to remember our history, and to honour those who played vital a role in the birth of our Nation."

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For more information, media may contact:
Kat Patenaude
Media Relations Advisor
Manitoba Métis Federation
204-801-7710
Kat.Patenaude@mmf.mb.ca

Believe in Yourself; Believe in Métis.

The Manitoba Métis Federation (MMF) is the democratically elected National Government of the Red River Métis, also known as the Manitoba Métis, the origin and core of the historic Métis Nation. The Red River Métis are Canada's Negotiating Partners in Confederation and the Founders of the Province of Manitoba.

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