History
The largest Métis culture area is that of the prairies and in Saskatchewan, lays the heart of it. The "Red River" or "Michif" Métis had 200 years to develop a unique culture before settlers from Europe came to live on the land. They were forced to leave Manitoba's Red River Settlement by federal government policies that ignored their rights in order to accommodate the anticipated flow of settlers to the region. Federal surveyors who refused to acknowledge traditional Métis land rights touched off the Red River Resistance of 1869‐70. Many Métis chose to relocate as a result of the events of 1869-70, and many chose Batoche and the surrounding areas. In 1885, once again fearing that the government would not acknowledge their land rights, the Métis of the Northwest once again took a stand with the culmination of this engagement occurring at Batoche.
Métis of mostly French and First Nations blood settled Batoche, Saskatchewan in the early 1870s. The "Back to Batoche Days" festivities held today are the most important cultural focus of the Métis Nation — Saskatchewan. Taking place at the Batoche site (90 km. southwest of Prince Albert, Saskatchewan), "Back To Batoche Days" has been an annual event of the Métis since the mid‐ to late 1880s and is normally a three day celebration staged every third weekend in July and hosted by the MN-S.
The first gathering at Batoche was held during the third week in July to honour St. Joseph, the patron saint of the Métis, even though his feast day is in March. The first gatherings occurred from 1884 until the 1930s. The modern festival began in 1970 and for the first two decades was held from on various dates from June until August. The fixed date in the third week in July only began in late 80s-early ‘90s.
Back to Batoche Days is the Métis Nation ‐ Saskatchewan's commemoration of their culture, traditions and heritage. It is the time and the place when and where the Métis memorialize and pay homage to national heroes such as Louis Riel, Gabriel Dumont, Howard Adams, Jim Brady and many, many others. It’s a time to celebrate who the Métis are as a Nation today and for future generations. Visitors to the event can come and camp at the new electrical campsites, or pitch a tipi or tent and sleep under a prairie sky, like so many Métis settlers did centuries ago.
One food product that came from the time of the fur trade is Bannock. This type of bread was an adaptation of a traditional Scottish bread and Indian fry bread. The Métis once again combined their two cultures and produced a product that swept North America because of it portability on the trail, ease in cooking and ability to last long periods. This fast bread was cooked outdoors in a skillet over an open fire and today most people call it campfire bread. The sweet smell of Bannock baking over a low campfire flame can be enjoyed during the Bannock baking competition at Back to Batoche Days.
The Métis are famous for their fiddle music. The Scots and French introduced fiddles to the Métis. Most often, the clap of sound from spoons accompanies the Métis fiddle and the drumming rhythms derived from a large tin pan. It was also common for the performer to provide rhythm by using his or her heels. The style of fiddle music is distinctive. It is based on syncopation and extra beats, which give the music a “bounce” when played and heard. The music is typically played up‐tempo and has a routine back beat. These features make the performance of waltzes and reels distinctive, and particularly suitable for dancing.
Like so much of Métis culture, dance is a creative blend of European (French, Scotch, and Irish) and First Nation heritage. The most distinctive of the Métis dance creations is the Red River Jig. This jig is a special fiddle tune that is danced in two parts. In one part, a traditional jig step is performed while the fiddle plays a high section. When the fiddle switches to a lower section, the second, fancy footwork, part of the dance is performed. It is common for this energetic jig to be played, while dancers compete with one another to dance the most quick, complicated footwork.
Traditionally, dancing started early in the evening and could last until dawn. Dances were energetic, with each couple, particularly the men, trying to outdo their companions. Witnesses were dumbfounded by the energy and vitality spent on the celebration, equal only by the long day's work necessary to keep Métis communities running. This energy is felt to this day during the Fiddle, Jigging and Square Dancing competitions as Back to Batoche Competitors from across the country come to Batoche each year to participate in the popular jigging and Square Dancing contests. A favourite spectator event is the Jr. Fiddle and Jigging contest, where we see up and coming generations of Métis children keeping the culture and traditions alive.
The Back To Batoche Days festival is a rich blend of Red River Jig music, fiddling and jigging contests, sizzling bannock‐baking, slow‐pitch ball tournaments, colourful Métis sashes, flower beaded leatherwork, Chuck wagon and Chariot races, CCA Rodeo events (No Rodeo events in 2011), toe‐tapping square dancing events, arts and crafts displays, educational seminars and displays, Mr. and Mrs. Batoche, Children’s Activities, Horseshoes, Bannock Baking, Square dancing, a Métis Idol singing contest, an exciting line‐up for the main stage and so much more!
The week begins with the traditional Sunday "Procession," to the mass gravesite of fallen Métis fighters from the North‐West or Riel Resistance. The annual traditional march to the final resting place of Métis fighters leaves a lasting impression on visitors and locals alike. This event is very powerful and is commemorated in a very special way.
The festival is family oriented, drug and alcohol free and everyone is welcome! We Look forward to seeing you there!
