Latest news with #Batoche
Hamilton Spectator
4 days ago
- Entertainment
- Hamilton Spectator
Back to Batoche Wraps Up for Another Year
With an estimated 40,000+ people coming through the gates of the Back to Batoche celebration again, the lights turned off on Sunday for another year. The Opening Ceremonies were held on Friday, July 18, with the Grand Entry including the Métis Nation-Saskatchewan elected officials, veterans, dignitaries, representatives of the RCMP, city police forces and the Saskatchewan Marshalls Service, the Indian Community of Saskatoon, and municipal leaders from around the province. Guests to Back to Batoche came from almost all provinces and territories, and internationally from California, South Dakota, Sweden, Denmark, and the United Kingdom. Dignitaries on stage for the Opening Ceremonies included MN-S President Glen McCallum and his wife Verna, Lieutenant Governor Bernadette McIntyre and her husband, Rich, Premier Scott Moe, Elder Norman Fleury, Local #51 President Victor Guillet, and the 2025 Mr. and Mrs. Batoche, Leonard and Leone Neville. Jason McKay once again served as Master of Ceremonies with the assistance of Nolan Malboeuf. Elder Norman Fleury asked a blessing for all those gathered at Batoche to celebrate the Métis culture, heritage, and resiliency. In President Glen McCallum's greeting, he mentioned that a flag had been carried in during the Grand Entry for 'our foreign families', as he phrased it, noting later that the 'Métis footprint is large.' Too many times, he said, it gets forgotten that there is a relationship and closeness between the Métis, non-Indigenous, and First Nations brothers and sisters. 'Each and every one of us,' he stated, 'are all one. It may not look like that a lot of the time, but we are one. It is up to us to be able to practice, to come together to complement each other, and to move forward in a good way.' Livestreamed on , people could watch from wherever they were and still take in many of the performances as the livestream relayed some main stage activities and some taking place on the outdoor stage. Another new addition at Batoche was 106.1 Resistance Radio! Broadcasting live on the festival grounds every day, the programming featured everything from previews of the day's activities and Elders' stories to in-depth conversations with some colourful Métis characters. A new Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) was signed with Parks Canada at the opening ceremonies, which will see the addition of 50 head of bison on Batoche land before the end of the year. In 2022, Parks Canada transferred 690 hectares of Batoche West land to MN–S. Later that same year, a bison relocation agreement was signed, and in 2023, a further agreement between the two partners resulted in the successful return of 25 young bison to the grounds at Batoche. The Honourable Steven Guilbeault, Minister of Canadian Identity and Culture and Minister responsible for Official Languages, said, 'Batoche National Historic Site is a powerful symbol of Métis heritage, and we're honoured to celebrate it each year at the Back to Batoche Festival, where we can come together and recognize what makes us strong. This festival is a special moment to deepen our partnership and reaffirm the Government of Canada's commitment to Indigenous stewardship and reconciliation — honouring the past and empowering the future of the Métis Nation.' In witnessing the signing of the new MOU, MN-S Minister Darcy Lepowick acknowledged the strength that partnerships such as this bring to the Nation. 'In the last eight years alone, we have made incredible inroads with Saskatchewan, Canada, industry, and institutions. We have done that through our ability to demonstrate trust, transparency, and tolerance. With our partners at Parks, we repatriated our Batoche land, re-populated it with young bison, and continue to grow the herd; some of them will eventually reclaim their home at Lebret.' ERIII Regional Director Marg Friesen said, 'When our 3-year bison farm project at Lebret is complete, it will not only bring bison back to Métis land, but eventually provide food sovereignty for the Region, stimulate farmland stewardship, and create employment opportunities for citizens in the area. This Lebret Bison Farm is a true example of the MN–S reaching back to its Métis identity, culture, and values that will be of value to our citizens and draw tourism activity in and around Lebret.' The year 2025 marks a significant election year for the Provincial Métis Youth Council (PMYC) and signifies the fourth year of youth representation at the governmental level. The official election period for the PMYC commenced on Saturday, July 19, with the nomination period concluding on July 24. Métis citizens aged 16 to 26 are eligible to run for a seat on the PMYC, with the presidential position requiring candidates to be at least 18 years of age. The PMYC is evolving to include a full-time President in a paid role, alongside two representatives from each of the twelve Métis Nation–Saskatchewan regions, who will serve in a volunteer capacity. The successful candidates will be appointed for a four-year term. Candidate packages can be found at . President Autumn Laing-LaRose had some words of encouragement for those considering participating, 'We are making history in our province with the first ever full Provincial Métis Youth Council election, and I want young people to know they have what it takes to be a leader on our Council and in our Nation. Involving youth in every step, our government will ensure the sustainability of our Nation for generations to come and helps give us a sense of pride in who we are as Métis people.' PMYC voting takes place online beginning August 5 at 2 pm and ending at 8 pm, Saturday, August 9. All PMYC election details can be found at . Error! Sorry, there was an error processing your request. There was a problem with the recaptcha. Please try again. You may unsubscribe at any time. By signing up, you agree to our terms of use and privacy policy . This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google privacy policy and terms of service apply. Want more of the latest from us? Sign up for more at our newsletter page .
CBC
21-07-2025
- Politics
- CBC
Back to Batoche festival wraps up 55th annual gathering of Métis people
The Back to Batoche festival completed its 55th annual event on Sunday, capping off a four-day celebration of Métis art and culture in Saskatchewan. The gathering was at the site of the 1885 Battle of Batoche, about 90 kilometres north east of Saskatoon. The event is branded as the largest outdoor Indigenous gathering in the country, and featured traditional dancing, food and music, alongside a host of commemorations of the battle. "It's a beautiful day to be Métis," said Glen McCallum, president of Métis Nation-Saskatchewan (MN-S), on Friday. "But at the same time, recognizing that we have relatives, non-Indigenous and First Nations people." According to the organizers, nearly 35,000 people were expected to attend the event. The Battle of Batoche was a decisive event in Métis history. It pitted an alliance of First Nations and Métis people against the Canadian militia as part of the North-West Rebellion. The militia was victorious in the battle, which led to the capture of Métis leader Louis Riel. "The history of our lands here is such a rich history," McCallum said. "To be able to have our Métis people, our First Nations people, participating in a resistance that really should have qualified at that time that we have a right to land, we have a right to self-determination, we have a right to self governance." Saskatchewan Premier Scott Moe spoke at the event on Friday, highlighting the importance of the relationship between the Métis community and the provincial government. "My visit today, on behalf of the government, and the presence of a large number of ministers, I might add, is truly a sign of this desire to move forward together, to find solutions," he said. Friday's opening ceremony included the signing of a new memorandum of understanding between Parks Canada and MN-S. Through the agreement, Parks Canada will bring 50 bison onto the Batoche land from Grasslands National Park before the end of 2025. The agreement follows a similar one made in 2023, where 25 bison were transferred from Parks Canada to MN-S. Chuckwagon races were a focal point of the festival, with about 100 racers spread over three races. About 40 chuckwagon race events take place over the course of the summer across the region, culminating in major events like Back to Batoche and the Calgary Stampede. "I don't make a ton of money off of it; it's just something I enjoy and it's a lifestyle. If I make a few extra bucks, it's a bonus," professional chuck wagon driver Calvin Fiddler said. Roslyn Smith, one of the organizers, said most people underestimate what it takes to put on the races. "There's a lot of work being put into this," she said. "You need to find volunteers for grooming, harrowing, straw feed, hay, water, and to really make sure the track is conditioned. It's about a two-week process trying to get all of that together right before Batoche."
CTV News
21-07-2025
- Entertainment
- CTV News
‘To come home': Back to Batoche Days wraps up
Image shows 71-year-old Marion Gonneville in the jigging finals on Sunday. (CTV News/Stacey Hein) After four days of celebrating Métis culture and community, Back to Batoche Days wrapped up Sunday evening. Elder Norman Fleury described the festival as one big family reunion. 'We're bringing people home here,' said Fleury, a provincial elder with Métis Nation–Saskatchewan. 'This is a place to connect with your distinction, with your identity, your music, your stories, your dance, your languages.' Fleury says roughly 40,000 people attended the event to reunite and connect with their community. Back to Batoche Days features cultural music, dancing, entertainment and competitions. Many Métis artists also set up shop during the festival. Miguel Vielfaure owns Etchiboy, a Winnipeg-based business specializing in a variety of Métis items, including arrowed sashes. 'It's probably where there's the most amount of Métis people gathering in one weekend. So, for me, it's my biggest weekend of the year,' Vielfaure said. Back to Batoche Days is internationally recognized as a significant Métis cultural celebration, welcoming people from across Canada and beyond. Marion Gonneville, 71, travelled from Vancouver to attend the festival and take part in the jigging competitions. 'To come home and to be among your own people, you feel really good,' Gonneville said. Ron DesJarlais travelled 710 kilometres from Rocky Mountain House, Alta., to attend the festival for the second time. 'Everybody's just so friendly and gives you that welcome feeling,' he said.
