Going to the capital.

Eiling Kramer Campground, Battleford, SK (2 stars)

Lee says - more to learn today. Fort Battleford is closed this year but we had already learned a lot about it at other Northwest Resistance locations since it played a big part in that.

Next, it was a visit to the Fred Light Museum which was chock full of memorabilia. Lee notes that at one time, Battleford was the capital city of the Northwest Territories. It has the historic buildings to prove it, including the oldest continuously in use court house in Canada. And as Lee learns more about indigenous people on the prairies, and their shameful treatment, he finds himself in yet another town with a former residential school.

Lee doesn't think he is seeing a one-sided portayal of the event around 1885, but he has acquired a lot of respect for Riel, Poundmaker and Big Bear.

Later on, Lee decided to see about a missing bolt on the bicycle carrier. Off to hardware stores all over Battleford and North Battleford. No luck. He should have gone with the logical Canadian instinct - Canadian Tire. Sure enough they had the one he needed. All fixed up now.

Lez is astonished by the history in this area: Not one to pay attention in school to any kind of history, it is fascinating to read all about the turmoil on the Canadian prairies in the late 1800's. The museums and interpretive centers and various forts and olde establishments are all very well done and very informative. I found and dated a couple of treadle sewing machines on display, photographed for reference a lot of info boards and introductions to many of the indigenous tribe elders and band chiefs. I was even able to add a third quilt to the collection of "surprise" gems commemorating an event or location. These quilts were made by local women and young girls, members of the community in which they were made.

Yes, a great respect and heightened awareness has been acquired for the native peoples of this country, and for those who came from other countries (mostly Europe and the British Isles) and persevered the land, the weather, the hardships of survival. Just easy flat land eh Walk a mile across uncultivated grasslands in the heat and insects and test an easy stroll theory for yourself.

I spent quite some some time comparing Battleford SK of 1913 to 2021. It is much smaller now, with a lot of historical buildings that I hope will be maintained for many years to come.