Events in Saskatchewan this weekend will mark the 139th anniversary of the execution of Louis Riel.

Riel, the first president and leader of the Métis Nation, was accused of treason and hanged on November 16, 1885 at the North-West Mounted Police barracks in Regina.

The Gabriel Dumount Institute (GDI) will hold a ceremony on Saturday in memory of Riel and Métis veterans, in partnership with Parks Canada and the Friends of Batoche.

“Louis Riel was our leader, our most famous leader,” said David Morin, who works at GDI as a curriculum designer.

“It’s important because we can’t forget,” he said. “These people fought for us, for our rights, for our freedoms, and we cannot forget that. We must honor them and keep these memories alive.”

The event will take place at the Batoche National Historic Site in Batoche, Saskatchewan, approximately 90 kilometers northeast of Saskatoon.

The ceremony will also include the launch of a book for Métis matriarchs, agents of transitionedited by Cheryl Troupe and Doris Jeanne MacKinnon.

Morin said the book was about Métis women of the 19th and 20th centuries. The goal is to make the world aware of the role played by women in the history of the Métis people.

“This book is about bringing these stories to life and sharing them,” he said. “Women were the matriarchs and they had a lot of influence on the culture and the community.”

The event will include a reading of the book following the laying of a wreath at the Batoche cemetery.

Meanwhile, the 15th annual Louis Riel Vigil Walk will take place Saturday in Regina.

Wendy Gervias, regional director of the Métis Nation-Saskatchewan, said this march started with a group of Métis people who wanted to make sure people understood the importance of the day.

“We continued that tradition,” she said. “We invite all citizens of Regina and surrounding areas to come and join us.”

Participants will walk from Optimist Park to the RCMP Heritage Centre, located on Dewdney Avenue, then attend a memorial service for the Métis leader.

Gervias said there would be traditional food and meaningful discussions about the importance of the day.

Gervais said teaching history is an important step in ensuring it is not repeated.

“It’s essential that we continue to do this and continue to remind not only our citizens, but citizens in general, who we are by taking back our space and letting people know that we are Canadians, that we are an important part of this story.

The event is hosted in partnership with the Regina Public Library.