Provisional Government of Saskatchewan

Provisional Government of Saskatchewan Gouvernement provisoire de la Saskatchewan (French)
1885
Flag
A 1900 map showing the District of Saskatchewan at its greatest extent
Status	Unrecognized state, Provisional Government
Capital	Batoche
Common languages	French (Métis French), Michif, Cree
Government	Republic under a military dictatorship
Spiritual Leader [Unofficial]
• 1885	Louis Riel
Military Leader
• 1885	Gabriel Dumont
President of the Exovedate
• 1885	Pierre Parenteau
Legislature	Exovedate
History
• Established	March 19
• Disestablished	May 20
Preceded by Succeeded by Canada North-West Territories Canada North-West Territories
Today part of	Canada - Saskatchewan

The Provisional Government of Saskatchewan was an independent state declared during the North-West Rebellion of 1885 in the District of Saskatchewan of the North-West Territories. It included parts of the present-day Canadian provinces of Alberta, Saskatchewan, and Manitoba. The name was given by Louis Riel. Although Riel initially hoped to rally the Countryborn, Cree, and European settlers of the Saskatchewan Valley to his banner, this did not occur. The government, with the exception of Honoré Jaxon and Chief White Cap, had an entirely French-speaking and Métis leadership. Gabriel Dumont was proclaimed adjutant general in which capacity he became supreme military commander, although Riel could, and did, override his tactical decisions. The Provisional Government was declared by Riel on March 19, 1885.^[1] It ceased to exist following the defeat of the Métis militarily during the Battle of Batoche, which concluded on May 20, 1885. During its existence the government only exercised authority over the Southbranch Settlements along the South Saskatchewan River. Other major centres in the area such as Prince Albert, Saskatoon, and most First Nations reserves remained outside of its control.

The governing council was named the Exovedate, Latin for "of the flock", and debated issues ranging from military policy to local bylaws and theological issues. It met at Batoche, Saskatchewan, and only exercised real authority during its existence over the Southbranch Settlement. The members, called Exovedes, were acclaimed by Gabriel Dumont (elected head of the military) on the 19th of March. Pierre Parenteau was made its president.^[2]

The provisional government collapsed with the fall of Batoche (see Battle of Batoche) and Riel was captured a few days later. Gabriel Dumont escaped to Montana.

On 19 March 1885, the day of the provisional government's proclamation,  Father Vital Fourmond, a witness to the proclamation, wrote about the provisional government's flag. "As a flag [Riel] chose the white flag of ancient France, with a royal blue shield bearing three golden fleurs de lys, saying that he was called to renew its ancient glories. On it he placed a large image of Mary's immaculate heart."^[3]

Batoche, where the Métis Provisional Government had been formed, has been declared a National Historic Site. Batoche marks the site of Gabriel Dumont's grave site, Albert Caron's House, Batoche school, Batoche cemetery, Letendre store, Gabriels river crossing, Gardepy's crossing, Batoche crossing, St. Antoine de Padoue Church, Métis rifle pits, and RNWMP battle camp.^[5][6]

In the spring of 2008, Tourism, Parks, Culture and Sport Minister Christine Tell proclaimed in Duck lake, that "the 125th commemoration, in 2010, of the 1885 North-West Resistance is an excellent opportunity to tell the story of the prairie Métis and First Nations peoples' struggle with Government forces and how it has shaped Canada today."^[7]

• The Canadian Crown and Aboriginal peoples

• Northwest Resistance: Chronology of Events, University of Saskatchewan Library