Thousands flock to historic Batoche site

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The focus of this year's Batoche days was the return to the traditions and culture of the Metis people, however, if organizers have their way, permanent facilities could be built on the traditional grounds.

Sporting events official Claude Petit says he would like to see permanent facilities on the grounds. Big tops have been rented for the cultural competitions and dances but Petit feels the thousands of dollars used for these rentals should be used for permanent structures.

"Even if we had to start with only partial buildings," he said. "It would be a start."

However, permanent buildings cost a lot of money and the yearly celebrations do not draw the kind of money or the kind of government funding required says coordinator Murray Hamilton.

"Even this year," he says. "We had trouble getting the funds and when they did arrive it was at the last minute," he said. The event is funded by Secretary of State. However, the funds did not arrive until a few hours before the event was to begin, July 24-26 at the Saskatchewan grounds.

The celebrations have been conducted for 17 years and attract thousands of peoples from all parts of the country. This year, the celebration was blessed with hot sunny weather and temperatures that hovered about the 30?C range (mid 80?F).

Given the low turn-out experienced by the annual AMNSIS assembly on the two previous days at Batoche, planners feared poor attendance.

However, by Saturday, July 24, thousands were camped on the historic site to visit, watch and participate in the events.

Early Friday evening, the official opening of the celebrations involved prayers from Metis Elder, Medric McDougall and Julie Pitzel, followed by welcoming remarks from AMNSIS president Jim Sinclair and Batoche Centenary Corporation chairman Merril Fiddler.

By Saturday morning, the Batoche Days took off in earnest. The morning agenda called for fastball and horseshoe tournaments while the afternoon portion concentrated on cultural competitions.

First-time features this year included cultural presentations, a fiddle special and a buckskin parade.

The fiddle special featured Reg Bouvette from Manitoba, Marcel Meileure from Quebec who played 14 years with the late Andy Desjarlis 1985 North American Fiddle Champion Calvin Vollrath from Alberta and John Arcand, a Saskatchewan-based favorite.

Bouvette, a former Canadian champ recently captured the 1987 International Peace Gardens fiddle contest.

A colorful buckskin parade drew five contestants dressed in garments made from hide, furs and intricate beadwork. Marius Bouvier of Green Lake, Saskatchewan won with King Trapper George Le Fleur of Sled Lake second and Lionel Chevrefil from Pine Falls, Manitoba, third. Prizes for this event were donated by the Gabriel Dumont Institute.

A bannock baking competition demonstrated the fortitude of its contestants who had to cope not only with the heat from the burning wood coals but a sweltering 30?C temperature as well.

Melissa Boyer of Saskatoon won the "First Timers" division and George Le Fleur took the "Old Pros" category.

The horseshoe tournament became something of a family affair as three of the four winners were from the same family line. The men's category was won by Clifford Marion over George Marion.

Delores Marion won the women's division over Melissa Head. All are residents of the James Smith Reserve near Prince Albert.

In the fiddle talent contest, seven year-old Lawrence captivated a cheering audience with his rendition of the country hit, "Guitars, Cadillacs".

The senior division was won by Manitoban Garry Lepine from Portage La Prairie. It was the first time he had entered the Batoche contest but his efforts and talents saw him bank $300 plus 20 hours of free studio time at Sunshine Records in Winnipeg.

Tekarra Robert Gibson of Hall Lake, Sask., took first in the talent contest with his Elvis Presley-type voice as he sang "Sunday Morning Sidewalk". Fart of his prize also includes recording ime with Sunshine.

Some fine fastball was witnessed by many spectators as approximately 30 teams hotly contested three divisions to gun their way into the finals on Sunday. The event began the day before and rewarded the Beauval Royals who walked off with first place money after beating out Muskeg Lake. Winding up in third spot was the Canoe Lake Commodores.

The Prince Albert Royals won the women's division followed by Gordons (Punnichy Reserve) and third place finishers, the Regina Raiders.

On the final day of the Batoche festivities, dark skies threatened to dump rain on the finals of the various competitions. But good fortune prevailed, as the clouds passed the area allowing the events to finish and the campers to go home much drier than last year.

THE WINNERS

Talent Contest: Juniors ? 1st Scott Lawrence, Slave Lake, AB; 2nd Lorena Gardipy, North Battleford, Sask.; 3rd Carol Shott, Caslan, AGB. Seniors: - 1st Tekarra Robert Gibson, Hall Lake, Sask.; 2nd Julie Gardiner-Greyeyes, Prince Albert, Sask.; 3rd Lenny Lawrence and Shelley Dion, Slave Lake, AB

Fiddle Contest: Juniors ? 1st Scott Lawrence; 2nd Randy Hamilton, Saskatoon; 3rd Lee Coopenbender. Seniors ? 1st Gary Lepine, Portgage La Prairie, Man.; 2nd Gilbert Anderson, Edmonton; 3rd Henry Gardipy, North Battleford.

Square Dancing: Intermediate Juniors ? 1st Creeland Dancer; 2nd Chief Beardy Memorial Dancers; 3rd Cote Cloggers. Seniors ? 1st Chief Beardy; 2nd Creeland; 3rd Red River Wheelers, Edmonton.

Bannock baking: "First Timers" ? 1st Melissa Boyer; 2nd Robert Boyer, Saskatoon. "Old Pros" ? 1st George LeFleur, Sled Lake, Sask.; 2nd Ruth Morin, Cumberland House, Sask.; 3rd Jane Umpherville, Prince Albert, Sask.; 4th Delilah Carrier, Prince Albert

Buckskin Parade: 1st Marius Bouvier, Green Lake, Sask.; 2nd George LaFleur, Sled Lake, Sask.; 3rd Leonel Chevrefil, Pine Falls, Man.

Jigging: unavailable

Mr. & Mrs. Batoche: (unavailable)