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."