The Battle of Batoche was a pivotal conflict during the North-West Rebellion, which was a resistance movement by the Métis people and other groups against the Canadian government's policies. The battle took place from May 9 to May 12, in 1885 in Batoche, Saskatchewan, where the Métis, under the leadership of Louis Riel and Gabriel Dumont, faced the Canadian military. The Métis were fighting to assert their rights to land and self-governance, as they felt marginalized by the rapid influx of European settlers and the government's failure to honor earlier land agreements.

During the battle, the Métis utilized guerrilla tactics, leveraging their knowledge of the terrain against the larger and better-equipped Canadian forces. However, the government's military strategy included artillery, which overcame many of the Métis defensive positions. The final assault on May 12 resulted in a decisive defeat for the Métis, forcing Riel and his followers into retreat. This fall marked the end of organized resistance in the North-West and led to Riel's eventual capture and trial, significantly altering the course of Métis governance and rights in Canada.

The aftermath of the Battle of Batoche had profound implications for Métis identity and their relationship with the Canadian government. Many of the Métis who had fought were left without land, and the defeat ushered in a period of increased oppression and attempts at assimilation. The government began to impose stricter controls over the Métis in an effort to integrate them into Canadian society, highlighting ongoing conflicts over land and cultural rights that would persist for decades. It cemented Riel's legacy, turning him into a symbol of Métis identity and resistance.