"Environmentally Sensitive Area". Please be careful where you walk and try not to disturb the natural environment. For additional information please contact Tourism Saskatchewan.
Duck Lake Battlefield
GPS:	52d 49.46m N	106d 16.31m W	1427 feet
Location:	The Duck Lake Battle Site is marked with cairns and plaques 3 km (2 miles) west of Duck Lake along Highway #212.
The first combat between Canadian government forces, under Major L. N. F. Crozier, and the Metis and Indians, under Gabriel Dumont occurred here on March 26,1885. In March, 1885, as Metis discontent was being voiced more openly, a NWMP contingent under Superintendent Crozier was stationed at Fort Carlton. They were reinforced by about 40 volunteers from Prince Albert. At the same time, the Metis under Louis Riel and Gabriel Dumont had been gathering at Batoche. Between Fort Carlton and Batoche was the village of Duck Lake whose store contained arms and provisions that would be useful to either Riel's or Crozier's forces in the event of an armed conflict. On March 25, Gabriel Dumont left Batoche with a group of Metis fighters to take control of Duck Lake. Unaware that it was in Metis hands, Crozier sent an expedition with sleighs the next morning to obtain the provisions from the Duck Lake store. On the way they encountered a small party of Metis. The police turned back and the Metis returned to Duck Lake. Urged by the volunteers to face the Metis, Crozier set out from the fort later that morning with about 100 men and a seven pounder cannon. They met the Metis just outside Duck Lake. Two men from each side attempted to negotiate, but during the discussion a scuffle broke out. The first shot of the Northwest Rebellion was fired when the gun of "Gentleman" Joe McKay, a Prince Albert volunteer, went off. On hearing the shot, Crozier gave the order to fire. Crozier's men took shelter behind the sleighs and in bushes beside the road, while some of the Metis entered an abandoned log house. Volunteers tried to rush the house but were caught in deep snow and met heavy fire from the Metis. It was here that most of the casualties in the battle occurred. After about half an hour of fighting, the police decided to retreat to Fort Carlton. There had been too many casualties (nine volunteers and three NWMP officers killed), and they were outnumbered. The Metis lost five men including Isidore Dumont, Gabriel Dumont's brother.