News Letter Excerpts
Bell of Batoche
Editorial: Lorraine Freeman
"Church of Batoche"
The year was 1884 in a small settlement in the North-West at the parish of St. Antoine du Padaue in Batoche. At the time there was great excitement on the completion of
the church. Father Julien Moulin wanted a bell to sound in the small bell tower, so the Bishop Vital-Justin Grandin of the diocese of St. Albert purchased a few
bells for his missions in the North-West. Oblate records describe the bell-of-batoche as a small silver bell weighing about 20 lbs. It was purchased
for the sum of $25.00.
It was customary to "bapitize" the church bells, so Bishop Grandin on September 2, 1884
baptized the small bell "Marie-Antoinette." Marie-Antoinette's god-parents were Xavier Letendre dit Batoche and his sister Marie Letendre-Champagne. The
honour bestowed on this family was because Xavier had founded the community.
It's interesting to note that the bell reportedly bears an inscription "Vital-Justin Grandin, Eveque de St.
Albert" along with the bishops coat of arms. The date of the blessing should also be there as it was customary at the time.
Metis across the country know what happened to this church, community and its people in 1885. Father Moulin reported theft of many articles
from the community and the rectory and submitted a claim of $237.00 to the Rebellion Losses Commission.
The repatriation of the bell to the original owner, the parish of St. Antoine du Padaue and its parishioners is at issue here. "Marie-Antoinette"
represents great religious and cultural significance to the Metis. It belongs in its rightful place, at Batoche. The
bell does not belong in Millbrook, Ont., nor does it belong hidden away as a trophy for a small group or individual. The small silver bell is a Canadian and
Metis artifact and should be dropped off with Chief Justice Monnin who has promised there would be no questions asked or it should be given "in trust" to the Minister of Culture-Heritage. One hundred
and ten years of captivity is enough. The grassroots Metis don't care where the bell is or who has it, they just want it returned to Batoche and to the people.
It must be returned to the bell tower so "Marie-Antoinette" can be home to toll proudly once again.
Photo courtesy of Russell Wells
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