Batoche National Historic Site

Province: Saskatchewan

Batoche, the stronghold of the Métis people (the offspring of a white person and a Canadian Indian) on the Saskatchewan River, was the headquarters of their ringleader Louis Riel during the North West Rebellion in 1885. This is where the decisive battle took place between the insurgents under Riel and Gabriel Dumont and General Middleton with his troops from the North West Mounted Police; this marked the end of the rebellion.

In the Visitor Reception Center are displays illustrating the way of life of the Métis, the events which led up to the rebellion and the battle of May 1885. Dioramas portray such scenes as a buffalo-hunt, the Métis digging defensive ditches such as those used in the Battle of Batoche, and Middleton's troops using a nine-pounder field-gun. Among the numerous exhibits are Louis Riel's writing-case, his bridle and stirrups. The presbytery, where shell and bullet-holes suffered in the battle can still be seen, and the Church of St Antoine de Padoue (1883-84) are now excellent museums, displaying photographs and other memorabilia of the battle and of the earlier Métis culture. The Gothic church still contains some of the original pews as well as the harmonium and stove.

The graves of Dumont and Letendre and a mass-grave of fallen Métis can be seen in the churchyard. There is also a memorial to the Métis and Indians who died during the conflict.

Nearby stands a fenced-in store, the "zareba", built by the military. By day it served as a point from which attacks were directed and by night as a defensive post.

Hollows along the river bank mark the position of the trenches from which Middleton's soldiers fired on the Métis. Nearby stands a farmhouse which was rebuilt in 1895 after having been destroyed by the army. From the other side of the road there is a superb view of the South Saskatchewan River. From the presbytery a path leads across the prairie to a defensive trench which has been opened up. These trenches were marked with tree-trunks and cleverly camouflaged with rows of trees.

In Fish Creek, south of Batoche, the first clash between Riel's troops and the military took place. Markings show the way to the field where the battle was fought, Middleton's troops camped and the dead were buried.