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New Southern Plains Métis Local No. 160 is offering a free day trip on July 21 to attend the Back to Batoche Days festival, held on the site of one of the most significant events in Métis history and Canadian history — the 1885 Battle of Batoche.
"The Batoche site was, of course, the site of the 1885 Métis rebellion that took place in Northern Saskatchewan," said Darrell Hawman, president of Métis Local No. 160, Moose Jaw's Métis organization. "It was a battle for the rights of the Métis to their land and to be able to practice their culture. The (Canadians) came out with their army and unfortunately the Métis were defeated. And it's a National Historic Site, and over the years the Métis have built up the fairgrounds there.
"It's an annual event where the Métis Nation gathers to celebrate our culture and traditions."
The Back to Batoche festival is a joyous gathering to preserve and promote Métis culture through storytelling, fiddling, jigging, square dancing, traditional food, music, Métis artists, traditional land use teachings, voyageur games, chuck wagon racing, sports, contemporary games, and Indigenous language. It also serves as a yearly reunion to reconnect with friends and family and meet new friends.
New Southern Plains Métis is offering free transportation and gate fees, as well as a meal, to the first 40 people to sign up for the trip, taking place Friday, July 21, on day two of the four-day festival.
"We're taking a group of interested people from Moose Jaw, people who are interested in Métis culture, and providing a motor coach ride up to Batoche for a day. We'll be coming back the same day.
"One of the interesting things about Batoche is that there was a British gunship, so it's the only naval incursion in Saskatchewan history. They tried to circumvent the Métis lines and pass them up the river for an attack from behind, but the Métis put a chain across the river and stopped them. So, it's a very interesting site for people who like to get into the history of things at all."
Register for the trip by phoning 306-631-7438 or email nspml160@gmail.com to get your name on the list.
"We still have a few spots, although it is filling up fast," Hawman noted. "We hope people accept our invitation and come up with us to learn more about our Métis heritage, because this is our homeland."
Learn more about the festival at metisgathering.ca/back-to-batoche.
