FORT WALSH NATIONAL HISTORIC SITE, AUGUST 2, 2009
Presented by the Fort Walsh National Historic Site in partnership with the Rural History and Culture Association, the Saskatchewan History and Folklore Society and Burning Sun Productions with major financial support provided by the Building Pride Program of the Ministry of Tourism, Parks, Culture and Sport. Additional support provided by the Saskatchewan Heritage Foundation and SaskEnergy.
Starting with a BANG!
The series of Celebrate the North-West Mounted Police festivals were wrapped up with the final program at Fort Walsh National Historic Site on August 2, 2009. Over 350 people participated in the festival and the regular activities organized by the Fort Walsh staff. The event started with a very big bang as the Fort Walsh staff, dressed in period NWMP uniforms signalled the beginning of the historic Trail ride by firing the Fort’s cannon! Over 20 riders joined Geordie Grassick portraying James Walsh, the Fort commander (and its namesake) and Ken Mitchell portraying Metis guide Louis Levielle in riding up to the Fort where “Walsh” inspected his men.
Riding into Fort Walsh
The Fort Walsh staff then participated in the final presentation of the Spirits of the Trail, a dramatic remembering of the relationship between James Walsh and Sitting Bull, portrayed by well-known First Nations actor Errol Kinistino (Corner Gas and North of 60). One group of Fort Walsh staff portrayed Walsh’s men and stood ready as Walsh negotiated with Sitting Bull. Other staff were wranglers for the horses used in the production.
Following Spirits of the Trail, a short opening ceremony was held with representatives of the RCMP, the History and Folklore Society, First Nations and Fort Walsh National Historic Park all participating.
First Nations Cultural Performers
The remainder of the day featured regular tours and a children’s program by the Fort Walsh staff, a historical presentation by noted historian and award-winning author Garrett Wilson, the story of the marking of the NWMP Trail by Everett Baker, presented by the History and Folklore Society and performances by singer/songwriters, Ragtime Don and the Word Junkie and Karen Blackwell Jones. The day concluded with First Nations cultural performances. Over 30 pictures from all six of the festivals can be viewed on the RHCA’s Flicker site.