This morning there was a joint commemorative ceremony to mark the 140th Anniversary of the Northwest Resistance 1885.

The North Saskatchewan Regiment and Royal Canadian Mounted Police, stood alongside Metis Nation-Saskatchewan, and Beardy’s and Okemasis Cree Nation in the ceremony. The ceremony took place at the Battle of Duck Lake Monument.

The Government of Canada says the ceremony is a chance to pay tribute to those who lost their lives. They also point out that the ceremony is intended to recognize the complexity of the conflict while acknowledging the experiences and perspectives of Indigenous communities.

The resistance was an armed rebellion under Louis Riel involving Metis, Cree and Assiniboine First Nations against the Canadian government. Aided by Metis leader Gabriel Dumont the resistance got underway in March 1885. It led to the Battle of Batoche, the defeat of the resistance and the controversial hanging of Louis Riel.