North Battleford, Saskatchewan
Encyclopedia
In the late 2000s a large number of Ruthenians
have emigrated to Canada, concentrating in North Battleford.
, Assiniboine and Blackfoot
tribes who contested for control of local resources.
Early European settlement began as a result of fur trading activities in the late 18th century. Fort Montaigne d'Aigle (Eagle Hills Fort) was founded nine miles below the confluence of the Saskatchewan and Battle rivers in 1778. A year later the fort was abandoned following conflict between traders and natives.
Permanent European settlement in the area centred around the town of Battleford, founded 1875, located on the south side of the North Saskatchewan River. Battleford served as capital of the North-West Territories between 1876 and 1883.
In 1905 the construction of the Canadian Northern Railway
main line to Edmonton placed the line on the north side of the North Saskatchewan River. North Battleford was incorporated as village in 1906, a town in 1907 and a city (with population 5000) in 1913.
Population growth stagnated until the 1940s and then grew to approximately 10,000 by the 1960s.
The city has grown into an administrative center and service hub for the economic, education, health and social needs of the region.
North Battleford is the home of one of four branches of the Saskatchewan Western Development Museum
. This branch focuses on the agricultural
history of Saskatchewan, including a pioneer village.
North Battleford is also the home of the Allen Sapp Gallery, a noted Cree painter in the area.
The Latter Rain Movement started here in 1946–48.
In 2001 a problem with the city's water system led to the infection of approximately 6280 people with cryptosporidiosis
; a lawsuit for several million dollars went through in 2003.
, while the North Battleford/Hamlin Airport
is no longer in use.
The local newspaper is The Battlefords News Optimist. It is published weekly on Wednesdays and Fridays, and has circulation in the surrounding area.
Radio
Three local radio stations serve the area; CJNB, CJCQ-FM
, and CJHD-FM
. Some Saskatoon
radio stations can also be received.
Television
Two television stations (CFQC-TV
and CBKST
) from Saskatoon, are also available over the air, via repeaters.
Morris B. Holota Educator and School Principal
(Köppen climate classification
Dfb).
Pannonian Rusyns
Rusyns in Pannonia, or simply Rusyns or Ruthenians , are a Slavic minority in Serbia and Croatia...
have emigrated to Canada, concentrating in North Battleford.
History
Prior to European settlement, the Battlefords area (including the present city of North Battleford and town of Battleford) was home to several aboriginal groups. These included CreeCree
The Cree are one of the largest groups of First Nations / Native Americans in North America, with 200,000 members living in Canada. In Canada, the major proportion of Cree live north and west of Lake Superior, in Ontario, Manitoba, Saskatchewan, Alberta and the Northwest Territories, although...
, Assiniboine and Blackfoot
Blackfoot
The Blackfoot Confederacy or Niitsítapi is the collective name of three First Nations in Alberta and one Native American tribe in Montana....
tribes who contested for control of local resources.
Early European settlement began as a result of fur trading activities in the late 18th century. Fort Montaigne d'Aigle (Eagle Hills Fort) was founded nine miles below the confluence of the Saskatchewan and Battle rivers in 1778. A year later the fort was abandoned following conflict between traders and natives.
Permanent European settlement in the area centred around the town of Battleford, founded 1875, located on the south side of the North Saskatchewan River. Battleford served as capital of the North-West Territories between 1876 and 1883.
In 1905 the construction of the Canadian Northern Railway
Canadian Northern Railway
The Canadian Northern Railway is a historic Canadian transcontinental railway. At its demise in 1923, when it was merged into the Canadian National Railway , the CNoR owned a main line between Quebec City and Vancouver via Ottawa, Winnipeg, and Edmonton.-Manitoba beginnings:CNoR had its start in...
main line to Edmonton placed the line on the north side of the North Saskatchewan River. North Battleford was incorporated as village in 1906, a town in 1907 and a city (with population 5000) in 1913.
Population growth stagnated until the 1940s and then grew to approximately 10,000 by the 1960s.
The city has grown into an administrative center and service hub for the economic, education, health and social needs of the region.
North Battleford is the home of one of four branches of the Saskatchewan Western Development Museum
Saskatchewan Western Development Museum
The Saskatchewan Western Development Museum is a network of four museums in Saskatchewan, Canada preserving and recording the social and economic development of the province. The museum has branches in Moose Jaw, North Battleford, Saskatoon and Yorkton. Respectively, each branch focuses on a...
. This branch focuses on the agricultural
Agriculture
Agriculture is the cultivation of animals, plants, fungi and other life forms for food, fiber, and other products used to sustain life. Agriculture was the key implement in the rise of sedentary human civilization, whereby farming of domesticated species created food surpluses that nurtured the...
history of Saskatchewan, including a pioneer village.
North Battleford is also the home of the Allen Sapp Gallery, a noted Cree painter in the area.
The Latter Rain Movement started here in 1946–48.
In 2001 a problem with the city's water system led to the infection of approximately 6280 people with cryptosporidiosis
Cryptosporidiosis
Cryptosporidiosis, also known as crypto, is a parasitic disease caused by Cryptosporidium, a protozoan parasite in the phylum Apicomplexa. It affects the intestines of mammals and is typically an acute short-term infection...
; a lawsuit for several million dollars went through in 2003.
Transportation
North Battleford is served by the North Battleford (Cameron McIntosh) AirportNorth Battleford (Cameron McIntosh) Airport
North Battleford Airport, , is located east of North Battleford, Saskatchewan, Canada. The airport is named after Cameron Ross McIntosh, previously the airport was the site of RCAF Station North Battleford...
, while the North Battleford/Hamlin Airport
North Battleford/Hamlin Airport
North Battleford/Hamlin Airport, , was located northeast of Hamlin, Saskatchewan, Canada.This airfield was built under the British Commonwealth Air Training Plan during World War II as RCAF Auxiliary Field Hamlin. Pilots trained at this field using Airspeed Oxford aircraft; it is listed as...
is no longer in use.
Local media
NewspaperThe local newspaper is The Battlefords News Optimist. It is published weekly on Wednesdays and Fridays, and has circulation in the surrounding area.
Radio
Three local radio stations serve the area; CJNB, CJCQ-FM
CJCQ-FM
CJCQ-FM is a Canadian radio station that broadcasts a hot adult contemporary format at 97.9 FM in North Battleford, Saskatchewan branded as Q98. It's local sister stations are CJNB and CJHD-FM...
, and CJHD-FM
CJHD-FM
CJHD-FM is a Canadian radio station that broadcasts an active rock format, branded as The Rock at 93.3 FM in North Battleford, Saskatchewan, Canada. Its local sister stations are CJNB and CJCQ-FM...
. Some Saskatoon
Saskatoon
Saskatoon is a city in central Saskatchewan, Canada, on the South Saskatchewan River. Residents of the city of Saskatoon are called Saskatonians. The city is surrounded by the Rural Municipality of Corman Park No. 344....
radio stations can also be received.
Television
Two television stations (CFQC-TV
CFQC-TV
CFQC-DT is a Canadian television station, serving Saskatoon, Saskatchewan. The station is a CTV Television Network affiliate which can be seen over-the-air on digital channel 8, on local cable and via satellite on Bell TV Channel 249 and Shaw Direct Channel 378 on Classic channel...
and CBKST
CBKST
CBKST is a television station owned by the CBC in Saskatoon, Saskatchewan. It is a semi-satellite of CBKT in Regina and airs separate commercials....
) from Saskatoon, are also available over the air, via repeaters.
Notable North Battlefordians
- Lloyd AxworthyLloyd AxworthyLloyd Norman Axworthy, PC, OC, OM is a prominent Canadian politician, statesman and University President from Manitoba. He is best known for having served as Minister of Foreign Affairs in the Cabinet chaired by Prime Minister Jean Chrétien...
: Canadian politician and spokesman - Wade BelakWade BelakWade Belak was a Canadian professional ice hockey forward and defenceman. He was drafted 12th overall by the Quebec Nordiques in the 1994 NHL Entry Draft...
: NHL forward/defenceman - Ron DelormeRon DelormeRonald Elmer "Chief" Delorme is the Chief Amateur Scout for the Vancouver Canucks of the NHL.Delorme has in the past played in the NHL, for the Colorado Rockies and the Vancouver Canucks....
: former NHL player - Deidra DionneDeidra DionneDeidra Dionne is a Canadian freestyle skier. She was born in North Battleford, Saskatchewan. She won bronze in the 2002 Winter Olympics in freestyle aerial ski She also won the bronze medal at the 2001 and 2003 FIS World Freestyle Ski Championships.Her health and career appeared in jeopardy on...
: Canadian freestyle skier, Olympic medalist - Lillian DyckLillian DyckLillian Eva Quan Dyck is a Canadian senator from Saskatchewan. She was appointed to the Senate on the recommendation of Prime Minister Paul Martin on March 24, 2005....
: Canadian senator - Johnny EsawJohnny EsawJohnny Esaw, CM is a retired Canadian sports broadcaster and television network executive. He was a pioneer of sports broadcasting in Canada, best known for his involvement with figure skating, football, and international hockey....
: former sports broadcaster, former vice-president of CTVCTV television networkCTV Television Network is a Canadian English language television network and is owned by Bell Media. It is Canada's largest privately-owned network, and has consistently placed as Canada's top-rated network in total viewers and in key demographics since 2002, after several years trailing the rival...
Sports - Bob Francis: former NHLNational Hockey LeagueThe National Hockey League is an unincorporated not-for-profit association which operates a major professional ice hockey league of 30 franchised member clubs, of which 7 are currently located in Canada and 23 in the United States...
player, NHL coach - Emile FrancisEmile FrancisEmile "The Cat" Francis is a former player, coach, and general manager in the National Hockey League, most notably with the New York Rangers....
: former NHL player, coach, and general manager - Ray HareRay HareRaymond Lewis Hare was an American football running back in the National Football League for the Washington Redskins and the Brooklyn Tigers. Hare also played in the All-America Football Conference for the New York Yankees. He attended Gonzaga University....
: former NFL running backRunning backA running back is a gridiron football position, who is typically lined up in the offensive backfield. The primary roles of a running back are to receive handoffs from the quarterback for a rushing play, to catch passes from out of the backfield, and to block.There are usually one or two running... - Dale HogansonDale HogansonDale Gordon Hoganson is a retired professional ice hockey player who played 344 games in the National Hockey League and 378 games in the World Hockey Association. He played for the Los Angeles Kings, Montreal Canadiens, Quebec Nordiques, and Birmingham Bulls...
: former NHL player - Bill Hunter: hockey coach, owner, and general manager; founder of the Western Hockey LeagueWestern Hockey LeagueThe Western Hockey League is a major junior ice hockey league based in Western Canada and the Northwestern United States. The WHL is one of three leagues that constitute the Canadian Hockey League as the highest level of junior hockey in Canada...
- Carole JamesCarole JamesCarole Alison James, MLA is a Canadian politician and former public administrator. She is the former Leader of the Opposition in British Columbia and former leader of the British Columbia New Democratic Party , a social democratic political party...
: politician, leader of the British Columbia New Democratic Party in British ColumbiaBritish ColumbiaBritish Columbia is the westernmost of Canada's provinces and is known for its natural beauty, as reflected in its Latin motto, Splendor sine occasu . Its name was chosen by Queen Victoria in 1858... - Dave KingDave King (ice hockey)W. David King is a Canadian hockey coach who has been head coach in the National Hockey League, the Russian Super League, the Winter Olympics, and the IIHF world junior championships. He was born in North Battleford, Saskatchewan....
: NHL coach - Skip KrakeSkip KrakePhillip Gordon "Skip" Krake is a former professional ice hockey centre. He played in the National Hockey League with the Boston Bruins, Los Angeles Kings, and Buffalo Sabres...
: former NHL centre - Jody LehmanJody LehmanJody Lehman is a Canadian-British professional ice hockey player , currently playing for Aalborg in Denmark's highest league, the Oddset Ligaen.-Playing career:...
: former EIHLElite Ice Hockey LeagueSeveral competitions fall under the jurisdiction of the Elite League. In 2006–07, the EIHL ran a total of four competitions: the league, playoffs, Challenge Cup and Knockout Cup. The league consists of a single division, each team playing three home games and three away games against the other...
netminder - Bernie LukowichBernie LukowichBernard Joseph Lukowich is a retired NHL and WHA player. He played 79 games in the NHL for the Pittsburgh Penguins and the St. Louis Blues. And another 21 games for the Calgary Cowboys of the WHA....
: former NHL player - Alistair MacLeodAlistair MacLeodAlistair MacLeod, OC is a noted Canadian author and retired professor of English at the University of Windsor.- Academic career :...
: author - Merlin MalinowskiMerlin MalinowskiMerlin "The Magician" Malinowski is a retired Canadian Professional Hockey Right Winger who played 5 seasons in the National Hockey League for the Colorado Rockies, New Jersey Devils and Hartford Whalers...
: former NHL right wingerWinger (sport)In certain sports, such as football, field hockey, ice hockey, handball, rugby union, lacrosse and rugby league, the term winger is the name of a position. It refers to positions on the extreme left and right sides of the pitch . In American football and Canadian football, the analogous position... - Rueben MayesRueben MayesRueben Mayes is a Canadian who played in the National Football League from 1986 to 1993.He first gained notoriety as a running back at North Battleford Comprehensive High School in North Battleford, Saskatchewan. In 1980 Mayes led the NBCHS Vikings to an undefeated season and the SHSAA 3A...
: former NFL player - Joni MitchellJoni MitchellJoni Mitchell, CC is a Canadian musician, singer songwriter, and painter. Mitchell began singing in small nightclubs in her native Saskatchewan and Western Canada and then busking in the streets and dives of Toronto...
: musician, artist - Lee Richardson: Canadian politician
- Allen SappAllen SappAllen Sapp, OC, SOM is a Canadian Cree painter, currently living in North Battleford, Saskatchewan. His art and his story have become well known throughout Canada and has become an inspiration to many. His paintings tell a personal story. Many of his paintings feature images of his grandmother,...
: Canadian CreeCreeThe Cree are one of the largest groups of First Nations / Native Americans in North America, with 200,000 members living in Canada. In Canada, the major proportion of Cree live north and west of Lake Superior, in Ontario, Manitoba, Saskatchewan, Alberta and the Northwest Territories, although...
painter - Corey SchwabCorey SchwabCorey Schwab is a former Canadian professional ice hockey goalie. He was drafted in the 10th round, 200th overall in the 1990 NHL Entry Draft by the New Jersey Devils...
: former NHL goalie - Gregg SheppardGregg SheppardGregory Wayne Sheppard is a retired professional ice hockey forward who most notably played for the Boston Bruins of the National Hockey League.-Career:...
: former NHL forward - Fiona Lesley SmithFiona Lesley SmithFiona Lesley Smith is a Canadian women's Olympic ice hockey player. She was affiliated with Edmonton Chimos...
: Member of the Canada women's national ice hockey team - Herbert Sparrow: former Canadian senator
- Al TuerAl TuerAl Tuer is a retired professional ice hockey defenceman and current pro scout for the Florida Panthers. He was drafted by the Los Angeles Kings in the 9th round of the 1981 NHL Entry Draft.Al played junior the Regina Pats from 1981–83...
: former NHL defenceman - W. Brett WilsonW. Brett WilsonBrett Wilson is a Canadian entrepreneur, member of the Order of Canada, philanthropist and the lead deal making panellist or "Dragon" of all-time on CBC's Gemini Award-winning Dragons' Den. Wilson was born in North Battleford, Saskatchewan...
: Entrepreneur and Philanthropist
Morris B. Holota Educator and School Principal
Climate
North Battleford experiences a humid continental climateHumid continental climate
A humid continental climate is a climatic region typified by large seasonal temperature differences, with warm to hot summers and cold winters....
(Köppen climate classification
Köppen climate classification
The Köppen climate classification is one of the most widely used climate classification systems. It was first published by Crimea German climatologist Wladimir Köppen in 1884, with several later modifications by Köppen himself, notably in 1918 and 1936...
Dfb).
External links
- City of North Battleford Official Website
- Battlefords Tourism Association
- Local information source for the Battlefords
- Map on Google Maps
- The Battlefords Provincial Park
- Map of North Battleford at Statcan
- North Battleford Census Agglomeration Statistics Canada
- The Encyclopedia of Saskatchewan - North Battleford