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Back To Batoche, the festival celebrating Métis and Indigenous culture, has returned for its 56th installment this weekend.
Batoche will become one of the largest communities in the province until Sunday as roughly 40,000 people flock to the National Historic Site from across Saskatchewan, Canada, and even the world.
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Friday morning saw many local and provincial dignitaries in attendance for the Grand Entry and opening ceremonies, which featured words from President of the Métis Nation–Saskatchewan (MN–S) Glen McCallum, Batoche MLA Darlene Rowden, Western Region 2 (WR2) director Sherry McLennan, and MN-S Minister of Self-Determination, Self-Government and Justice, Brennan Merasty.
One of the new President’s Medals. (Métis Nation–Saskatchewan)
MN-S CEO Matthew Vermette also said a few words, and introduced a new tradition at the longstanding festival with the presentation of the first President’s Medals for lifetime achievement.
The honour was created to celebrate those whose contributions reflect the strength, resilience, culture, values and vision of the Métis Nation, and recognizes individuals whose life’s work has left a lasting mark on the Nation and continues to inspire future generations.
The inaugural recipients of the President’s Medals were Elder Joanna Potiyondi and Gerald Morin.
“This is our Nation’s highest honour,” said Vermette.
Raised during the Métis Resistance by her grandparents in Roche Percée, near the U.S. border, Potiyondi has dedicated her life to preserving and sharing Métis culture, values, and traditions while carrying a deep connection to Métis history, the land, and the horse culture that grew out of the buffalo hunt.
This year marks 50 years in her role as President of Local 15 in Melville, where she continues to pass on Métis knowledge to future generations.
“I just can’t believe it. I never ever would’ve expected this in a hundred years,” Potiyondi said with a big smile.
Gerald Morin was a recipient of a President’s Medal on July 17, 2026. (Métis Nation–Saskatchewan/Submitted)
Meanwhile, Morin was recognized for advancing the rights and aspirations of the Métis Nation.
Hailing from Green Lake in Northern Saskatchewan, he helped shape important advances in Métis governance, harvesting rights, and Nation-building while building a career as a lawyer, advocate, and leader, serving as President of both Métis Nation–Saskatchewan and the Métis National Council.
“Receiving this award today makes me think about many of the people that I’ve been side by side with … independence, and our struggle for recognition of our people and our rights over the years,” said Morin.
“All I can say, it’s been a privilege and an honour to have served beside each and every one of you in the struggle.”
USask president Vince Bruni-Bossio (back left) stands with Glen McCallum as representatives from the university and MN-S sign the agreement. (Back To Batoche/Facebook)
After the medals were handed out, University of Saskatchewan (USask) president Vince Bruni-Bossio took to the stage to sign an agreement with MN-S on behalf of the institution. He explained that the agreement is a “deep commitment,” and about the relationship between the school and the Métis government.
“It signals our shared commitment to continue to walk together in ways that honour Métis priorities and strengthen community engaged research, learning and governance, and it establishes a shared table for ongoing collaboration, coordination and practical action.
“We are in the process of developing our new strategic plan at the University and this agreement is very important to us because it’s going to allow us to engage with MN-S leaders and citizens for their insights on how USask can do a better job to students and more engaged in research in ways that supports Métis Nation.”
“It’s not because we’re signing a piece of paper,” Bruni-Bossio continued. “It’s the symbol that this piece of paper represents in terms of the relationship we’ve already built and the relationships we will continue to build.”
To close out the opening ceremonies, Elder Max and Christine Morin were named Mr. and Mrs. Batoche for this year’s festival.
— with files from Métis Nation–Saskatchewan and CJME News
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