Battleford

Image of unidentified man standing next to the mass grave site at the base of a sandy ravine on the North Saskatchewan River. The site was capped with a concrete slab in 1954. From the book Loyal till Death: Indians and the North-West Rebellion by Blair Stonechild and Bill Waiser.

Teaching card illustrating the memorial gate at Battleford commemorating the Northwest Resistance.

Sociology Thesis (M.A.)--University of Saskatchewan, 2015.

Image of crowd, some in traditional dress, at North-West Police Memorial opening.

A marker commemorating the "North West Rebellion" from Memorial Park, Battleford. No date given. See S-B276 for detail shot of the plaque on the monument.

Sketch of the steamer "Northwest" arriving at Battleford with General Middleton. Horses and wagons loaded with supplies in foreground; "Northwest" beached in background.

Indigenous people at North West Mounted Police memorial opening at Battleford. In the picture are four women (two elderly women) with three children (2 boys and 1 young girl).

Portrait of one of two Cree women who surrendered at Battleford in early July 1885.

A paper apparently written by [Jennie] Moore, sister of Mrs. John Douglas, briefly describing pre-contact life and the arrival of European settlers in the Cut Knife, SK area. The paper focuses on Poundmaker and the Battle of Cut Knife Hill in March 1885. It ends with glowing descriptions of productive farm land and of the growth of the town of Cut Knife.

Chapter from book of the same.name The regiment's involvement in conflicts of the 1800s, such as the Fenian raids, the Red River Resistance and the Northwest Resistance, is documented. Includes sketches of Mahvadehrie (Yellow Bird) and Litkhansahra (Blackbird), sons of the Sioux chief Whitecap; and Toukwakahn (Enemy of the Great Spirit), brother-in-law of Whitecap.

Historical note:

The York Pioneer and Historical Society was founded by Richard H. Oates in 1869 in Toronto, ON. The society maintains two museums and a library of historical books and documents.

Image of three chiefs with Rev. Hives and C. Innes outside RCMP barracks at Battleford.

Draft of statement by General Middleton, dated 4 July 1885, written while on board the steamer "Marquis" and pertaining to the death of Lieutenant Colonel Arthur Williams. Item found within folder 1 of file Rebellion, 1885.

Small notebook of "C" Company, Infantry School Corps, documenting daily 'officer of the day' postings, brigade orders from Lt.-Col. Otter, arrival of padres, daily lists of company orders and notification of church parades and target practice. All entries made from Battleford, NWT; most made by Lt. J.M. Sears and Lt. R.L. Wadmore. Entries made in black ink and primarily blue pencil. Item found within folder 2 of file Rebellion, 1885.

A typed transcription of a newspaper article (source unknown) regarding the career of P.G. Laurie (1833-1901), publisher of the Saskatchewan Herald newspaper. Includes a description of the difficulties in publishing the paper during the 1885 Resistance. Item found within folder 1 of file Rebellion, 1885.

Coverage of Poundmaker's trial in Prince Albert. Item found within folder 1 of file Rebellion, 1885.

A transcribed newspaper article from the Saskatchewan Herald of 11 May 1885. It describes in pro-Otter terms the battle between Lt. Col. Otter's troops and those of Chief Poundmaker at Cut Knife Hill.

Note: The title 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. Collage of sketches relating to the Northwest Resistance; sketch subjects include Louis Riel, Government House in Battleford, and Fort Carlton.

Historical note:

From The Graphic, an Illustrated Newspaper.

Note: The 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 Extracts from James Clinkskill's memoirs, including a description of Clinkskill's arrival in Western Canada; of some of the events leading up to the Northwest Resistance of 1885; and of a number of incidents involving Indians and "half-breeds" before and during the Northwest Resistance, especially in the town of Battleford.

A series of 1885 newspapers with articles covering the Saskatchewan Uprising. Includes The Penny Illustrated Paper and Illustrated Times of May 16, 1885, the Montreal Daily Herald and the Daily Commercial Gazette of July 8, 1885. Papers cover the battles of Batoche and Cut Knife Hill.

Riel Resistance Scroll found in Battleford in 1961. Names were intended to be placed on a memorial column in Battleford for soldiers killed in 1885.

File contains a presentation by Arnold Blackstar, Battlefords Indian and Metis Friendship Centre. Blackstar presents a letter on behalf of the President of the Friendship Centre who was unable to be in attendance which welcomes the Commission and outlines what the Friendship Centre does in the Battlefords. Following that, Blackstar, who is the Centre's youth co-ordinator, presents on some of the issues youth programming faces, particularly a lack of stable and adequate funding. Blackstar also discusses some of the challenges faced by Aboriginal youth in post-secondary education.

File contains a presentation by Barrie Conkin, Mayor, City of North Battleford. Conkin discusses the issues facing municipalities with regard to increased urban Aboriginal populations, urban reserve designation, treaty land entitlements, and general self-governance issues. Conkin states that more consultation is needed with municipal governments and citizens at the grassroots level (rather than provincial and federal) in order to put workable self-government arrangements in place. Following the presentation is a discussion between Conkin and Commissioners Erasmus and Blakeney on these issues.

File contains a presentation by Ben Weenie of Battlefords, Indian Health. Weenie presents on his concerns for Aboriginal children and youth. Specifically he addresses the condition of youth offenders, who he views as being often caught in a destructive cycle. Weenie also discusses concerns with the Saskatchewan Education curriculum and its attempts to incorporate Native Studies courses which he feels are inappropriately taught (especially with regards to spiritual views). Following the presentation is a discussion between Weenie and Commissioners Blakeney and Erasmus on these issues.

File contains a presentation by David Arnot, Battlefords Justice Advisory Council. Arnot, presenting on behalf of the Battlefords Justice Advisory Council delivers a presentation first dealing with the Katapamisuak project which deals with community justice, and the workings of the general justice system as they pertain to Aboriginal peoples. Commissioners Blakeney and Erasmus discuss justice issues with Arnot following the presentation.

File contains a presentation by Doug Anguish, Member of the Legislature. Anguish discusses his experiences as a life-long resident of what he terms northwestern Saskatchewan (Meadow Lake-Battlefords area), and MLA for the Battlefords Consituency. Specifically he discusses the Indian Act and the need to replace it, the situation of Indian and Metis youth in the area, and economic concerns. Following the presentation is a discussion between Anguish and Commissioners Blakeney and Erasmus on these issues.

File contains a presentation by Gary LaPlante, Kewatin Communications. LaPlante discusses self-governance and the critical view of it he has experienced from some Aboriginal people. LaPlante discusses his own life experiences and his view that race relations are a two way street and that some Aboriginal people harbour racist views and that this must be addressed.

File contains a presentation by Jim Sweetenham. Sweetenham, a member of the Battlefords Fire Department, and a youth counsellor of fire setters, gives his presentation as an individual. Sweetenham discusses the problem of young people starting fires which disproportionately effects Aboriginal youth. He gives his views on how this can be addressed, and ignorance in the general society towards the issues of Aboriginal people.

File contains a presentation by Tony Murdoch and Con Graham of the Battlefords Adult Diversion Project. Murdoch delivers a presentation describing the project which exists to reconcile non-dangerous adult offenders with their victims under the direction of a mediator. Murdoch describes the program and its success, as well as the ethnic makeup of the participants (roughly 50% Non-Aboriginal and 50% Aboriginal). Following the presentation Murdoch discusses the program and its particulars with Commissioners Blakeney and Erasmus.

An Army commander stands on a platform with an Aboriginal boy on each side of him dressed in ceremonial clothes. A large crowd is gathered in the background. They are all inside the pallisade at Fort Battleford.

Photocopied partial pages of the Saskatchewan Herald, dated 15 June 1885, 25 September 1885, 19 October 1885, and 21 October 1885, with stories relating to the Northwest Resistance.

Note: The 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. A short article on the ongoing Northwest Resistance and some biographical information and a sketch of Louis Riel from the perspective of an Eastern Canadian Newspaper. Includes a large sketch of Louis Riel "in his costume of a Canadian half-breed."

Portrait of the second of two Cree women who surrendered at Battleford in early July 1885

Archaeology Thesis (M.A.)--University of Saskatchewan, 2003.

Typescript of a sketch of the formation of provincial governance in the North West Territories. Includes a brief mention of an ordinance for Protection of the Buffalo, and of 'the issue of Scrip to the Halfbreeds of the Territories'.

Students from the Little Pine Indian School visiting Fort Battleford Historic Park.

A studio portrait of an Aboriginal woman. She is seated on the floor and wears a decorative hat and footwear. "Latest Battleford Fashions," is handwritten at the bottom of the picture. Harper Series 32, is also stamped on the picture.

Black and White photograph of a group of indigenous peoples in modified traditional clothing surrounding circle of men engaged in a tea dance ceremony. Teepee and drums in background.

Image of 3 teepees at Northwest Police Memorial.

Originally published in The Press, Battleford Feb. 17, 1916. Details the trip made by the author and J.D. Noel from Battleford to Île-à-la-Crosse; includes information about the modes and conditions of travel, people they met along the way, and the author’s impressions of the village. Entire issue on one .pdf, scroll to page 21.

Note: The title 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. Image of Indigenous people examining items at a store in Battleford. Dated August 30, 1881.

Historical note:

This file consists of 25 items, including newspaper articles and typed copies of oral histories, mostly concerning the Northwest Rebellion.

2 photographic processes of same image (one black and white, the other sepia toned). Indian encampment on top of hill at Battleford, in sight of Government House. In the photo 5 youths, one infant in mossbag and three adults. Two teepees and Red River cart also in image.