Henriette Landry- 1822-1909 and the
Battle of Batoche- 1885
Henriette was born into a family
related to both Gabriel and Louis
Batoche felt like the “homeland”
for her Metis family- never ennui
Land titles and food continued to
challenge each family’s reserve
As 1885 approached there was
tension and much to observe…
The Battle began- the women and
children ran for dugouts and tents
The men were left fighting in the
trenches- Metis killed without relent.
Everything was plundered with blood
soaked corpses lying everywhere.
We women ran into the woods to hide
for days, our hope was prayer.
A young calf came along, we
butchered and ate, avoiding starvation.
Daughter Christine supported Riel
even now with a broken Nation.
Louis has done no wrong- why must
the Government cause such pain?
No hope for a Metis Nation but the
Metis spirit will live on again…
Riel returned several times to visit
his family before turning himself in.
It was so sad; there was no justice
to be had. We all need a home to live in.
Tears and sorrow for lost lives;
fathers gone along with some mothers-
Orphans needing care- unable to
understand the destruction of another…
Written By Carol Howard Vulliamy-
Metis Elder- 2010
