MMF commemorates the 207th anniversary of the Victory of Frog Plain: Declaration of la Nouvelle Nation/the New Nation

June 19, 2023

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 207th anniversary of the Victory of 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 this victory led Cuthbert Grant to declare the Red River Métis as the new Nation," said Will Goodon, MMF Minister of Housing and Property Management and descendant of Cuthbert Grant. "This was one of the first times the Red River Métis national flag was flown, making this an important milestone in our Nation's history."

In the past, the battle was referred to as the massacre of Seven Oaks, as part of the colonial villanization of the Red River Métis. In fact, it was one of the first times the Red River Métis asserted themselves, defending the new Nation's rights to free trade and travel across the Homeland, which is why the MMF celebrates this anniversary every year.

"Pausing to reflect on the origins of our unique culture and identity is important, particularly since our history is still not fully incorporated into our education system and our identity remains under threat from those who would distort it," said Minister Goodon. "Remembering our history is one of the ways we can see how far our Nation has come in finding our rightful place in Canada's confederation, including our recently ratified treaty with Canada."

Read more about the Victory of Frog Plain.

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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.

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

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