Winnipeggers mark 200 years since Mtis Battle of Seven Oaks

A 200-year-old battle that left 22 people dead was remembered in Winnipeg Sunday as a turning point in the history of Manitoba's Mtis people.

The Battle of Seven Oakswas a critical step in the Mtis winning free trade rights.

On June 18, 1816, a bitter corporate feud between the Northwest Company and the Hudson's Bay Company culminated in the violent battle, which is also occasionally referred to as the Seven Oaks Massacre.

"CuthbertGrant andmany of hisMtiscolleagues had todefend their way of life," saidWillGoodon,minister of housing and property management with the ManitobaMtisFederation (MMF)."There was an edict handed down that they couldn't trade in pemmican andother stuffs anymore. There was a confrontation, and they took matters into their own hands."

Led by Cuthbert Grant, a group ofmostlyMtis peoplewere intercepted by a group led byThe Hudson's Bay Companyregional governor, Robert Semple. The battle left 21 with Hudson's Bay dead, including Semple, as well as one person on theMtis side.

The battle took placein what isnow West Kildonan nearMain Street and Rupertsland Boulevard.

• Manitoba Mtis mark 200 years since the Battle of Seven Oaks

On Sundayafternoon, a renewed historic site was unveiled inWestKildonanto mark the bicentennial of the battle.

"What we look at when we see the Battle of Seven Oaks is a time when we stood up for ourselves. It was only us. It was just theMtisand we were more than just a group of half-breeds,"Goodonsaid."We were a people and we could stand and defend our way of life."

The renewal of the historic site started in 2007 with a class project from GovernorSempleSchool. Eight years and $350,000 later, the renewed site is now open to the public.

• Winnipeg breaks ground on revamp of Battle of Seven Oaks monument

AlbertLegatt, the Archbishop of St.Boniface, said organizers spent a year planning the commemoration event. He said it's importantManitobansrecognizethe importance of the battle.

"Twenty-two lives were lost in a moment of violence ...Remembering that's part of our history, how do we continue to search together for peace and reconciliation?"Legattsaid.

St. John's Cathedral markedthe anniversary with a healing and reconciliation event and a feast sponsored by the North West Companyat St. John's Park on Sunday.

The MMFand Mtis National councilcommemoration for Grant, the battleand the Mtis Nation flag on Sunday as well atSt. Francois Xavier Church.

A special ceremony was also heldat the Battle of Seven Oaks National Historic Site at the intersection of Main Street and Rupert's Land Boulevard.