Batoche, Saskatchewan - centre of Metis culture and history

Batoche is the site of the battle in 1885 - a historic battle in which the Metis residents of the area fought to defend their community when it came under attack by Canadian forces under General Middleton.

On July 11, Naomi and I visited Batoche to see the village as it is today, and to learn more about what the village was like in 1885. The church (top photo) was built in about 1883, was present in 1885. It has been kept in excellent condition and is still used today. The bell, however, is not the original one. The original one was taken by Ontario soldiers under General Middleton and was in Ontario until the October 1991, when it was taken from there.

The location of the community is along the South Saskatchewan River - it is a beautiful site - and from the edge of the bank one has a panoramic view of the river below (second photo).

Today, it is a national historic site and there is an opportunity to learn many details of Metis life in the area and of the battle of Batoche (third photo).

Plaques show the location and ownership of the original river lots. If you look carefully at the fourth photo, you can see the lot belonging to Gabriel Dumont. It was located at Gabriel's Crossing - where people crossed the river. Gabriel Dumont arrived in the region in the late 1860s and helped establish the community. In 1885 he was the commander of the Metis forces.