The Canadian Museum for Human Rights (CMHR) gave visitors a chance to learn about the long, sometimes painful and oftentimes resilient history of the Metis people in Manitoba.

Interpretive Program Developer, Sarah Watkins led a tour group consisting of people from as close as downtown Winnipeg to as far away as Italy, as the museum celebrated Louis Riel Day on Monday, Feb. 19, 2018. 

The 75 minute tour consisted of stops at each of the CMHR's exhibits that focus on Metis human rights. 

"We've got a lot going on today," Watkins said. "This is the first offering of our Metis rights tour and we also have other activities around the museum including some bead work and some performances by musicians throughout the day." 

Watkins says the tour consists of a number of different exhibits regarding Metis land rights, the legacy of residential schools, Metis art, the history of the bison hunt and historic court cases between the Metis Government and the Canadian Government. 

She hopes Louis Riel Day can be a starting point for people to explore more Metis history in Manitoba. 

"This is just an introduction so I really hope that people will go away inspired to learn more about this group and their human rights," Watkins said. "We should really be thinking about it all the time because there's such a connection between the Metis people and this land we're on." 

"Their human rights stories are very interesting and compelling and their resilience is incredible." 

Louis Riel Day was the only time the museum was offering the tour to regular visitors, but it will be available for group bookings going forward.

The CMHR says the tour was developed with input from the Louis Riel Institute, Manitoba Metis Federation, L'Union nationale metisse Saint-Joseph du Manitoba, the CMHR's Indigenous Education Working Group as well as members and volunteers.