'Batoche, Saskatchewan' was the site of the historic
Battle of Batoche during the
Northwest Rebellion of
1885. The battle resulted in the defeat of
Louis Riel and his
Métis forces by
Major General Frederick Middleton and his
Northwest Field Force.
The Métis settlement of Batoche (named after Xavier Letendre ''dit'' Batoche) was established in
1872. By 1885 it numbered 500 people. The Metis of the area settled on river lots, and the community contained several stores as well as the
Roman Catholic Church of
St. Antoine de Padoue at the time of the Rebellion. Batoche was the de-facto capital of Riel's
Provisional Government of Saskatchewan.
Batoche is a
Southbranch Settlement. It is situated mainly along the east bank of the
South Saskatchewan River between
St. Laurent and
Fish Creek, Saskatchewan.
This village consisted mostly of
French-speakers and Roman-Catholics.
Batoche was declared a National Historic Site in
1923.
See also
★
Bell of Batoche
★
North West Resistance
★
Louis Riel
★
Gabriel Dumont
External links
★
Guide to the battle site