As President Glen McCallum looks on from behind, Michelle LeClair, vice-president of the MN—S signs the document transferring the ownership of Batoche to the Mètis. To her left is Senator Marty Klyne, also a signatory. The Government of Canada announced today that the site would be given to the Mètis. (Susan McNeil/paNOW Staff)

By Susan McNeil

Politics

Batoche now belongs to the Mètis

Jul 22, 2022 | 3:59 PM

Almost 140 years after Louis Riel and the Mètis people were defeated at Batoche, the federal government has transferred the land to the descendants of those who fought and remained buried in the soil there.

Federal cabinet minister, Daniel Vandal, himself a descendant of the Mètis soldiers, made the announcement to loud cheers during the 50^th anniversary celebration of Back to Batoche.

“We are proud to announce the transfer of approximately 690 hectares (1,600 acres) of land at Batoche National Historic Site to the citizens of the Mètis Nation — Saskatchewan,” said Vandal.

While the Mètis Nation — Saskatchewan will own the land, it will share management with Parks Canada, which has run the site since the 1920.

The partnership is one of many the Mètis Nation — Saskatchewan are building with the First Nations and non-Indigenous people in the area, said president Glen McCallum.

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In one way, the journey has been long but much has been done in the last five years since the Liberals were first elected to Parliament, he explained.

“It’s been really aggressive conversations around land and the government has been very co-operating and accommodating,” McCallum said. “That’s why it took us so quickly. Five years is not a very long time.”

Talks have been comfortable and done with accountability and transparency, he said, and that was how they managed to proceed so quickly.

McCallum said just like before, Parks Canada will maintain and care for the land in partnership with the Mètis.

“We always need each other in order to build a strong foundation, to be able to look forward and co-operate with one another with regards to how we plan. We will be working together,” he said.

The Mètis Nation has plans for a youth centre at the location already and one day McCallum would like to see a legislative building there.

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susan.mcneil@pattisonmedia.com

On Twitter: @princealbertnow