Missing Bell of Batoche hits Prince Albert stage

Prominent People

Guide to Indian Country Page 13

A definitive chapter in the story of the Battle of Batoche, the

deciding skirmish that ended the North-West Rebellion of 1885 for the

Metis in Saskatchewan, unfolds upon the stage of the Carlton Cafetorium

in Prince Albert, Sask. on June 28, 29 and 30.

The Missing Bell of Batoche, by playwright Bob Rock, recounts how the

bell, "a 90-pound chunk of Canadian history," went missing after the

battle and ended up as a "trophy of war" on display in the Millbrook

Legion Hall in Ontario.

As the Battle of Batoche drew to its inescapable conclusion, the church

of the Metis fell into the hands of the Canadian militia. There and

then, three young soldiers from Millbrook, Ont., decided to strike a

blow against the French-speaking Metis and stole the church-blessed Bell

of Batoche. It remained at the legion until 1991 when the hall was

broken into and the bell again went missing.

It is against this backdrop that Rock has set his story. The play will

be produced for airing across the province-wide BBS Saskatchewan

Television Network later in the year. The teleplay will then be

rebroadcast over a five-year period on the SCN Television Network.

The Missing Bell of Batoche is intended to entertain, inform and

educate the audience, says a press release.

"The ultimate goal of the play/teleplay is to stir up enough discussion

and controversy nationwide to ensure that the actual 'Bell of Batoche'

is finally taken out of hiding and displayed prominently in a place of

honor for Metis and non-Metis alike to appreciate year round."

For more information on the play, contact Bob Rock at (306)763-5709 or

Darryl Lindenbach at (306)961-1858.