Gabriel Dumont 1837-1906 - Saskatchewan Historical Markers on Waymarking.com

Long Description:
Gabriel Dumont was born in St. Boniface, Rupert's Land. He was a renowned buffalo hunter entrepreneur and military leader. He is best known as the Metis general who led the military forces against the Canadian Militia in the Northwest Resistance.

Although limited in reading and writing skills, Dumont could speak six languages. He was a natural leader in buffalo hunts, adept at riding and in marksmanship.

Dumont established a ferry across the South Saskatchewan River in 1872, and opened a small store upstream from Batoche. He was elected president of the Metis of the region in 1873.

Throughout 1877 and 1878, Dumont chaired meetings, petitioning the Government of Canada. The Metis asked for representation on the Territorial Council, for farming assistance, schools, land grants, and title to already occupied lands. Dumont travelled to Montana as part of a delegation to convince Louis Riel to return to help plead the Metis case.

Dumont was appointed Adjutant General in 1885 with declaration of a provisional government. Later he led the Metis forces at Duck Lake and Fish Creek. The well equipped Canadian Militia brought the Northwest Resistance to an end at Batoche on May 12, 1885.

Dumont fled to the United States where he joined Buffalo Bill Cody's Wild West Show thrilling spectators with his marksmanship. He was pardoned by the Government of Canada in 1886, and returned to his homestead near Batoche in 1888. Gabriel Dumont known as "the Prince of the Plains" died in 1906 at the age of 69. He is buried in Saskatchewan at the Batoche cemetery overlooking the South Saskatchewan River.

The Gabriel Dumont statue was commissioned for Bill Epp by "Commemorate 85", the 100th Anniversary of the Northwest Resistance.

Marker placement date: Not listed Marker type: Not listed

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