If you visit Batoche National Historic Site, don’t miss The Battle of Tourond’s Coulee / Fish Creek National Historic Site. This is a non-operated site located 17 km south of Batoche on Fish Creek Road.
A beautiful place for a walk and a great learning experience about Canadian history. Come see the interpretive signs and immerse yourself in of one the great battles of Western Canada.
The site encapsulates the story of events of April 24, 1885, where the Métis encountered the Canadian military. It was here that the Métis led by Gabriel Dumont, along with some Cree and Dakota First Nations, held back the advancing North West Field Force led by Major General Frederick Middleton. Greatly outnumbered and despite losing the element of surprise, the Métis, Cree and Dakota stopped Middleton’s progress. Exhausted from the day’s battle, both forces withdrew. Middleton’s advance on Batoche would then be delayed for two weeks, while they reorganized and tended to the wounded. For Dumont and the Métis people, the battle was a victory that gave them time to prepare for the defence of Batoche. This cultural landmark was also the home to the Tourond family, a Métis family that settled there before the outbreak of the 1885 conflict.
Site features include: two cairns, prairie coulee, scenic South Saskatchewan River, former Fish Creek trail, and Middleton’s Camp which offer a glimpse into the pre 1885 Métis community, and tell of the historic April 24, 1885 battle between the Métis/some First Nations and Middleton’s Force.
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