FEBRUARY 8, 2009

       Is it “Happy Louis Riel Day”? What exactly do we say for the holiday?

       “Thanks for the time off work, Province of Manitoba”? That one seems more fitting.

       I almost want to put the word holiday in quotation marks because, well, I don’t mean to sound ignorant – I know who Riel was but as we all know, the primary reason for us getting this special day was for time off work during the bitterly cold Manitoba winter.

       This brings up the question: is there any historical significance to the day at all? Not really. Even the government suggested we needed a break. So, leave it to me to pooh-pooh on a holiday, but let’s be honest, we’d have had this holiday whether Riel existed or not.

       Sure, the man is dead and has no say now, but would he have wanted his name used and have people get excited solely for the purpose of a day off?

       I guess the same argument can be made about December 25 since Christmas has become so commercialized. But in fairness, many people still maintain the significance of that day through traditions and family belief.

       Perhaps like Christmas, Louis Riel Day will only have a special place in the hearts of those with a close connection to the Manitoba icon. And with 2009 being the second year of the holiday’s existence, is it too early to say you have family traditions on what you do that day?

       In other provinces the holiday is appropriately named Family Day and it means just that – a day off and time to spend with your family. So in Manitoba, it appears our message was, “One less day to trek into work and stay bundled up in the house.” But I guess that name is too long to fit on a calendar.

       Well, Happy Day Off Day, Manitoba!