Tourond’s Coulee name added to Fish Creek Battle Site
New Historic Sites and Monuments Board of Canada plaques commemorating the Battle of Tourond’s Coulee/Fish Creek being unveiled at the site. Taking part in the unveiling were (l-r) Norman Fleury, Gabriel Dumont Institute; Brad Trost, MP Saskatoon-Humboldt; Metis Elder Rose Fleury; Terry Boyer, secretary/treasurer Batoche Metis Local; Robert Doucette, president Metis Nation of Saskatchewan; Terrence Foster, Historic Sites and Monuments Board of Canada, and Rose-Mary Carey, representing Batoche NHS.
By Rod Andrews
Formal recognition of the Métis/First Nations involvement in the 1885 North West Resistance/Rebellion took place on the first day of summer with the unveiling of new plaques commemorating a major battle in the uprising.
Local and Saskatchewan Métis leaders joined with Brad Trost, MP for Saskatoon-Humboldt, to unveil an Historic Sites and Monuments Board of Canada plaque commemorating the national historic significance of the Battle of Tourond’s Coulee/Fish Creek.
The site, which had been known as the Battle of Fish Creek, marked the spot where General Middleton’s Canadian militia forces came in conflict for the first time with Métis and First Nations forces, under the direction of Gabriel Dumont, on April 24, 1885.
The commemorative plaques that were unveiled will replace older plaques with the old name on them that was written in English and French.
The new plaques are in French, English, Michif-French and Michif-Cree, languages used at the time of the uprising.
Tourond’s Coulee was named after the family who homesteaded the area and was well-known at the time, but was lost after the initial designation of the site in 1923.
Terrence Foster, a former member of Historic Sites and Monuments Board, said the change in name is not historical revisionism, but rather is the result of new historical research, which he said could even be changed in the future.
He said the new name provides “a better opportunity to tell the story” and helps enrich the culture and eventually the lives of people in the area.
Robert Doucette, president of the Métis Nation of Saskatchewan, said the name change is “an exercise in healing” with the change allowing the Métis people to reclaim the name, which is positive for the 100,000 Métis in the province today.
Doucette said the name of Fish Creek that was selected was basically a slap on the face to the Métis, who, in actuality, won the battle on April 24, 1885.
He said the new name – the original name – honours not only the Métis who fell in battle, but the Métis families, especially the women who were involved, as well as the soldiers who died or were wounded.
“This is not revisionism, rather reconciliation. This is a good start to reconciliation,” said Doucette.
Trost said people will have a better understanding of the battle due to the name change, which he said was “cast in bronze” – but so were the original plaques.
“Our government is proud to recognize it as a place that helped define our nation during its early years.
“Today’s commemoration will help Canadians appreciate the important contribution of the Métis and First Nations in the development of our country,” said Trost. “By incorporating the traditional name of this site, it recognizes the contribution of the Métis men and women who settled here,” said the member of parliament.
Tourond’s Coulee/Fish Creek is a cultural landmark, not only as a famous battle site, but also as the southern boundary of the Métis St. Laurent Settlement. The Tourond family established a homestead at the coulee prior to the 1885 conflict; hence, the local reference and traditional name of the site.
A Métis panel, with the Gabriel Dumont Institute as the main proponent, submitted a request to the Historic Sites and Monuments Board of Canada (HSMBC) to change the name of the site from Battle of Fish Creek National Historic Site of Canada to Battle of Tourond’s Coulee/Fish Creek National Historic Site of Canada. The change was requested in recognition of its traditional name prior to the 1885 conflict and to be more inclusive and respectful of diverse voices.
