Back To Batoche to be presented online July 23 -26
- Michelle Lerat | July 23, 2020
The annual Back to Batoche gathering can’t happen at the site this year, but organizers will do their best to bring the events to all who who can access the Internet.
The 50th annual Back to Batoche celebration will be virtual this year due to Covid-19. Events will be live-streamed at www.backtobatochedays.ca from Thursday, July 23 to Sunday, July 26.
“We want to keep the people engaged in our Metis culture because we know people look forward to the third weekend in July to go to Batoche,” said Sherry McLennan, Minister of Batoche for the Metis Nation-Saskatchewan.
“We are each woven into our Métis culture like the threads of a sash; different colours, different patterns. But one thing remains the same in a Métis' heart - when the Métis hear the sound of the fiddle, our feet start tapping, our hands start clapping, our hearts beat together in true Métis spirit,” McLennen said.
Anyone interested in competing at the event can register online and upload a video of themselves performing. Competitions include jigging, fiddling, square dancing, axe throwing and more. Cooking videos will be uploaded daily to teach people how to cook their favorite Metis foods. There will also be entertainment form Saskatchewan Metis performers including Phil & Dallas Boyer the Dean Smith band and a guest appearance from Ryan Keplin.
An artisan village will be held Sunday displaying Metis artists’ beading, leatherwork, photography and more. Artwork, prices and where to buy the pieces will be uploaded for people to shop online.
Even Sunday mass will be online. It will be followed by the Gospel Jamboree with Yvonne St Germaine, Ivan Chartrand and Mervin Morin.
McLennan says it was important to host a Back to Batoche event even though it is not possible to come together at the Batoche grounds.
“Everybody knows the third weekend in July our people gather at the traditional lands in Batoche,” said McLennan. “That’s where everybody comes together and people are so happy there because we can listen to our music and eat our food.”
A huge event was initially planned for this year 50th annual Back to Batoche celebration before the pandemic. With this year’s event held on-line, the large 50th celebration has been postponed until 2021. This will be the first postponement since Back to Batoche began.
Click here for Back to Batoche schedule.
You can find the link here:
https://backtobatochedays.ca/live-stream/