Batoche National Historic Site

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Wakaw, SK
Batoche National Historic Site

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An official Parks Canada page. Français : http://ow.ly/f77i50LYCnH

Cette page est aussi disponible en français à https://www.facebook.com/LieuhistoriquenationaldeBatoche/

10/26/2026

This we are highlighting one of many “maashkowishiiw” (strong) Michif woman!

Josette/Josephte Tourond (Paul) is considered a heroine of the 1885 Northwest Resistance.

Her land was the site of the Battle of Tourond’s Coulee / Fish Creek on April 24, 1885. After her wagon, animals, and possessions were stolen, she feared for the safety of her younger children and her elderly mother. Without a weapon or any sort of defense, Madame Tourond marched across enemy lines and yelled at the English soldiers to return her cart and horse. Seeing the soldiers dumbfounded and confused, she wasted no time in grabbing her horse, cart, and family members and brought everyone to safety at Batoche. While taking shelter at the women’s camp in Batoche, she was even said to have helped deliver two babies in total darkness.

10/25/2026

“My people will sleep for one hundred years, but when they awake again, it will be the artists who give them their spirit back.” – Louis Riel

🎨Art is more than just a painting. It’s the feet jigging across the wood floor and the fiddle singing a tune. It’s the stitches used to create a flowing dress, the carefully placed seed beads adorned on buckskin jackets, and the medicine bags clutched in hand. It is the poems from the heart, the storybooks inspired by your family, and so much more.

Art is a way for people to connect, learn, and express their history, experiences, and culture.

This International Artist Day, take a moment to appreciate a piece of art or perhaps create one of your own!

10/23/2026

⚠ Please note that the Parks Canada website will be unavailable starting at midnight (12:00 a.m. EDT) on Saturday, October 24, 2026, and continuing until Sunday, October 25, 2026, due to maintenance. The Parks Canada Reservation Service and the Parks Canada Shop, will remain available.

Details ➡ parks.canada.ca/maintenance-web

10/22/2026

Batoche National Historic Site is packing up!

But don't worry, it is staying right here! Have you ever wondered what happens behind the scenes when the site closes? Every year after we close we prepare the site for winter. This means moving outdoor furniture, performing maintenance, assessing the collection, and packing it all away for safe keeping until we re-open in the spring! No need to worry, everything will be right back where it was when you visit us in 2027!
What do you do to prepare for winter?

10/19/2026

This we dug up a photo of the “groos mayzoon” (mansion) owned by Xavier Letendre that once stood on riverlot 47 in Batoche! Mr. Letendre, or better known as Mr. Batoche, was a wealthy merchant who helped found the community!

10/15/2026

Did you know that the general stores of Batoche sold a wide variety of items from buttons to socks, to oil, to dinnerware and so much more!

This plate was discovered near Fisher’s General store at Batoche during an archeological investigation.

10/12/2026

🍂It’s now “latonn” (fall) season! Time to dig out the sweaters, make some hot tea and enjoy the changing leaves and cooler weather.

Happy “latonn”!

10/08/2026

October is Women’s History Month in Canada!

The Metis women of Batoche, both past and present, have a long history of being strong community members and their history should not be forgotten.

In historic Batoche, women were educators in the home, the ones who often cared for the children and elders, the harvesters, gatherers, and the healers. Many women have been knowledge keepers and storytellers, passing down histories and life lessons to everyone in the community. They were part of the booming economy in Batoche, working as bookkeepers, selling artisan and farm goods and so much more.

When rough times hit, it was often the women who scrounged up enough food for the family, took on extra jobs to make money, took care of the ill and wounded, and even ran into battlefields unarmed to protect their homeland.

Celebrate Women’s History Month by taking some time to learn the histories and stories of the women around you!

10/05/2026

It’s World Teacher Day and what better way to celebrate than by featuring one of Batoche’s former schoolteachers!

Mademoiselle Onésime Dorval was born in 1845 to Esther (Brunette) and Ignace Dorval in Quebec. She grew up on a farm and learned the art of carpentry from her father at a young age. For her education, she was sent to Ste. Scholastique and soon started studying to become a nun. She also earned her teacher’s diploma.

With her frail stature and ill health, the congregation would not let her take her vows, so Onésime decided to go into teaching and earned another certification while also learning to speak English.

In the 1870s, she adopted a young girl named Mary and moved farther west to establish schools and teach at various missions including Baie St. Paul, St. Albert, Battleford, St. Laurent, and Batoche. She was considered the first certified schoolteacher in Western Canada.

In 1896, Onésime arrived in Batoche and took up residence in the back of the rectory with her daughter. She taught here for many years before retiring.

Mademoiselle Onésime Dorval was said to have laid the groundwork for bilingual education across the province.

She passed away in 1932 and is buried in Duck Lake, SK.

10/03/2026

🌾 Well, Batoche, it’s time to say à bientôt!

The doors are closed, the grounds are settling in for a well-deserved rest, and another season at Batoche has officially come to an end. 🍂❄️

A big thank you to everyone who visited this season, whether you came to explore the historic buildings, walk the trails, learn a few stories, or simply enjoy the prairie scenery. We’re so glad you stopped by!

We’ll miss seeing you around the site, but don’t worry, we won’t be gone forever. We’re already looking forward to welcoming you back in 2027!

Until then, take care, keep your prairie spirit strong, and try not to have too much fun without us. 👋

Address

RR#1 Box 1040
Wakaw, SK
S0K4P0

Telephone

+13064236227

Website

https://parks.canada.ca/lhn-nhs/sk/batoche

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