Batoche

Folder containing memos requests and correspondence regarding the opening ceremony of the Batoche museum. Letter requesting that invitations be sent to the Chiefs of neighbouring reserves.

Image of cannon fire during the battle of Batoche. A fence is visible in foreground; horses, men and smoke seen in background.

File contains the reminiscences of Patrice Fleury who was born in Red River in 1842. He describes Metis Buffalo hunts and the debates in the community leading up to the Riel Rebellion of 1885.

Reminiscences of W.J. Carter on life in the early Canadian North-west. Includes a wealth of material on First Nations, the Northwest Resistance, Metis (French and English), and early European settlement in Saskatchewan and Alberta.

Historical note:

W.J. Carter was a carpenter in Prince Albert, Saskatchewan (NWT).

A portrait etching of Gabriel Dumont.

This letter, written by deputy sheriff of Prince Albert following his seven-week detainment by members of the Métis resistance, provides a prisoner of war’s perspective on the battles at Duck Lake, Fish Creek and Batoche. Entire issue on one pdf file, scroll to page 24.

Perehudoff painting hung at the museum at Batoche. Depicts government forces.

A photograph of the government's surveyors corps of scouts during the 1885 uprising, probably taken at Qu'Appelle prior to Middleton's march north. The men appear to be armed with lever action repeating rifles and pistols.

The grave of Francois-Xavier "Batoche" Letendre who died in 1901 of consumption. He was a successful businessman and the founder of Batoche, Saskatchewan.

Black and white photograph of the wooden grave markers of the Metis killed at Batoche.

Image of the graves of Metis killed at Batoche. Note on back: "Note the church and Presbytry in background."

Note: The title and description of this document uses wording that was common to mainstream society of that time period in history. As such, it contains language that is no longer in common use and may offend some readers. This wording should not be construed to represent the views of the Indigenous Studies Portal or the University of Saskatchewan Library. Two Metis men at Batoche. On the back of the photo is written: "Halfbreeds at Batoche. Gabriel Dumont's brother on the right and One of the leaders in the Rebellion of 1885." Probably taken in the late nineteenth century.

Image of Captain John French, killed at Batoche. On back of photo: "An old French halfbreed, named Ross, was standing at the corner of a house nearly opposite Batoche's house, and fired the fatal shot, then made a run for cover, but paid the penalty for shooting French just before reading it."

A historic marker at Batoche commemorating the surrender of Louis Riel to General Middleton on May 15, 1885.

A guide at Fort Battleford Museum points to Batoche on a map to show where Gabriel Dumont's Lefacheaux .38 pin fire revolver was used in 1885.

Detailed article on the life of Honoré Joseph Jaxon, known as Louis Riel's secretary immediately before the Northwest Rebellion. The article also details the unfortunate trashing of Jaxon's papers upon his death in New York City in 1952.

Image of a house used as a barracks by the Metis during the Northwest Resistance. On back of photo: "House built in 1879 and Â’80 by Xavier Batoche. Used as store and dwelling. In 1885 used as barracks by the Metis."

Black and white photograph of the unveiling of the monument erected in memory of the battle at Batoche.

Black and white photograph of the unveiling of the monument erected in memory of the battle at Batoche. Church in background.

Black and white photograph of the unveiling of the monument erected in memory of the battle at Batoche. Church in background.

A photo of a group of Indian farm labourers from Batoche reserve near Wakaw with some non-Aboriginal Settlers. The settlers are the Comegys family at far left (l. to r.): baby Ina Mae, father Glen, mother Hazel, son Homer.

Notes and sketches from a trip taken by John Franklin Boyd in July and August, 1885, from Minnedosa, Manitoba to visit Prince Albert and the places involved in the North-West Rebellion.

A series of 27 photographs of landmarks at Batoche including church and plaque; 9 scanned here.

Typescript of W.J. Carter's autobiographical account of his life and experiences in Western Canada during the period 1879 to 1910s. The most interesting part is Carter's account of the impact of the Northwest Resistance of 1885 on the Prince Albert community. Carter, a carpenter by trade, was hired by William McKenzie in August 1889 to build stations on the railway between Regina and Prince Albert.

Memorial service at Batoche cemetery on opening day, June 28, 1961. John Diefenbaker visible in both images.

W. Perehudoff painting at Batoche Museum. Depicts men in rifle pits, possibly at Batoche, possibly with Dumont at centre.

Metis casualty, identified as John Ross shown lying dead on the ground. He was the Metis who shot and killed General Strange, commander of platoon of scouts at Batoche. The scouts lassoed this man and dragged him behind horses until his body was mutilated as shown. He was believed to be 18 years old. [Source: Wes Fineday. Another source says he shot Capt. French.

A photograph of the Metis cemetery at Batoche National Historic site with church and other buildings in background. Probably taken in early 1960s.

File contains 8 negatives showing meetings under a tent during Metis Heritage Days at Batoche, Saskatchewan, on July 19, 1982.

List based on names taken from monument at Batoche National Historic Park, with further information from Lawrence J. Barkwell of the Manitoba Métis Federation.

Book review of: The Free People: Otipemisiwak, Batoche, Saskatchewan 1870-1930 by Diane Paulette Payment.

Focuses on the 1885 Resistance.

Negative of a black and white sketch of Metis men in trenches at Batoche.

Folder of clippings relating to the 50th anniversary of the Northwest Resistance. All clippings from the Saskatoon Star-Phoenix except where noted. Clippings glued to paper: 1. Almighty Voice's Prison; 2. Poundmaker's Surrender Highlight of Rebellion; 3. Last Buffalo Herds Seen On Western Plains in 1881; 4. Poundmaker's Forces Had Advantage at Cut Knife; 5. Surrender of Big Bear Marked End of Rebellion. Loose clippings: 6. Back in the Bone Age (clipping and photograph); 7. Bloody Massacre, Fifty Years Ago, at Frog Lake Climax of Indian Revolt; 8. Mounties in Riel Rebellion (photograph); 9.

Black and white photograph of the monument constructed in memory of the battle of Batoche.

Black and white photograph of a monument erected at the Batoche Cemetery to honour the Metis who fell in battle.

Portrait of Helen Boucher. She was the daughter of the founder of Batoche, Saskatchewan: Francois-Xavier "Batoche" Letendre.

Extracts from the diary of George B. Murphy, of Qu'Appelle, transport officer of the Battleford Column, Second Division of the North West Field Force, sent out to suppress the 1885 resistance. Entries from March 17 - July 16, 1885. Entries mostly include communications regarding troop movements.

A brief narrative of the North-West Rebellion written for school children in 1929. The author was a correspondent of The Montreal Daily Witness and New York Herald and is described as "an official observer of many of the events he relates here."

The S.S. Northcote after the battle at Batoche during the Northwest Resistance.

Group portrait of Duck Lake and Batoche businessmen, politician and Indian Agent. Front row, seated left to right: Eugene Boucher, Conservative member for Batoche Francois-Xavier "Batoche" Letendre, Merchant of Batoche (Eugene Boucher's father-in-law) W.J. Pozer, Duck Lake Merchant. Standing left to right: George Fisher, Liquor Store Proprietor at Duck Lake Damase Racette, Batoche Ferry Operator Gus Fournier, Massey-Harris Agent, Duck Lake U.S. Urton, C.P.R. Agent, Duck Lake Mr. St. Louis, Implement Agent, Duck Lake Patrice Parenteau, Merchant, Duck Lake R.S.

People watching the Royal Regiment parade at Batoche, SK in 1962.

Provides background information relevant to identity, summary of evidence heard, and committee's key observations and recommendations to the federal government. Includes seven community profiles.

Image of painting by Perehudoff which hangs in the museum at Batoche. The painting depicts the Northcote hitting the lowered ferry cables, May 9, 1885.

Photograph of Perehudoff a painting which hangs in the Batoche Museum. The images depicts Riel riding on horseback through the gun pits yielding a cross above his head.

Perehudoff painting at museum at Batoche. Depicts a man walking with horse and Red River cart down a path. Another man and cart trail behind.

Image of painting by Perehudoff hung at the Museum at Batoche. Depicts fighting, men with rifles, one on horseback, possibly at Duck Lake.

Sketch of location of the Battle of Batoche.

This report summarizes the comments which interested parties shared with Parks Canada as to the future planning and development of Batoche National Historic Park. Themes suggested were featuring the past, present and future of Batoche; life before contact and the Canadian Pacific Railway. Objectives suggested were unbiased interpretation of events at Batoche, and the return of artifacts such as the church bell.