Provisional Government of Saskatchewan

{{Short description|Former state in Canada}}

{{distinguish|Provisional District of Saskatchewan}}

{{Infobox country

| native_name = {{nativename|fr|nolink=on|Gouvernement provisoire de la Saskatchewan}}

| conventional_long_name = Provisional Government of Saskatchewan

| common_name = Métis Provisional Government

| status = Unrecognized state, Provisional Government

| title_deputy = President of the Exovedate

| year_deputy1 = 1885

| deputy1 = Pierre Parenteau

| date_start = March 19

| date_end = May 20

| life_span = 1885

| p1 = Canada

| flag_p1 = Canadian Red Ensign 1868-1921.svg

| p2 = North-West Territories

| flag_p2 = Canadian Red Ensign 1868-1921.svg

| s1 = Canada

| flag_s1 = Canadian Red Ensign 1868-1921.svg

| s2 = North-West Territories

| flag_s2 = Canadian Red Ensign 1868-1921.svg

| image_coat =

| image_flag = Flagoftheprovisionalgovernmentofsask.png

| leader_title15 = Military Leader

| leader_name15 = Gabriel Dumont

| title_leader = Spiritual Leader [Unofficial]

| leader1 = Louis Riel

| year_leader2 =

| title_representative = Military Leader

| year_representative1 = 1885

| representative1 = Gabriel Dumont

| year_leader1 = 1885

| image_map =

| image_map_caption =

| legislature = Exovedate

| national_motto =

| national_anthem = |

| capital = Batoche

| latd =

| latm =

| latNS =

| longd =

| longm =

| longEW = |

| common_languages = French (Métis French), Michif, Cree

| today = Canada
- Saskatchewan

}}

{{Location_map+

|Canada Saskatchewan|relief=yes

| width = 305

| float = right

| caption = The Southbranch Settlements are circled in black.

| places =

{{Location map~|Canada Saskatchewan| label=Duck Lake | lat=52.8166 | long=-106.233 | label_size=75 | marksize=6|position=right}}

{{Location map~|Canada Saskatchewan| label=Battleford | lat=52.738| long=-108.315 | label_size=75 | marksize=6|position=bottom}}

{{Location map~|Canada Saskatchewan| label=Frog Lake | lat=53.831 | long=-110.358| label_size=75 | marksize=6|position=left}}

{{Location map~|Canada Saskatchewan| label=Fort Pitt | lat=53.65 | long=-109.751 | label_size=75 | marksize=6|position=right}}

{{Location map~|Canada Saskatchewan| label=Fish Creek | lat=52.60 | long=-105.947| label_size=75 | marksize=6|position=right}}

{{Location map~|Canada Saskatchewan| label=Cut Knife | lat=52.75 | long=-109.0166| label_size=75 | marksize=6|position=left}}

{{Location map~|Canada Saskatchewan| label=Batoche | lat=52.755 | long=-106.116| label_size=75 | marksize=6|position=left}}

{{Location map~|Canada Saskatchewan| label=Butte | lat=53.627 | long=-109.575| label_size=75 | marksize=6|position=bottom}}

{{Location map~|Canada Saskatchewan| label=Loon Lake | lat=54.04 | long=-109.0| label_size=75 | marksize=6|position=right}}

{{Location map~|Canada Saskatchewan| label= | lat=52.755 | long=-106.116| label_size=75 | marksize=30|mark=Cercle noir 50%.svg|position=left}}

}}

The Provisional Government of Saskatchewan was an independent state declared{{Citation needed|date=December 2024}} during the North-West Rebellion of 1885 in the District of Saskatchewan of the North-West Territories{{noteTag|It included parts of the present-day Canadian provinces of Alberta, Saskatchewan, and Manitoba.}}. The name was given by Louis Riel. Although Riel initially hoped to rally the Countryborn, Cree, and European settlers of the Saskatchewan Valley to his banner, this did not occur. The government, with the exception of Honoré Jaxon and Chief White Cap, had an entirely French-speaking and Métis leadership. Gabriel Dumont was proclaimed adjutant general in which capacity he became supreme military commander, although Riel could, and did, override his tactical decisions. The Provisional Government was declared by Riel on March 19, 1885.{{cite web | title = Louis Riel: A Brief Chronology | url = http://www.lackenbauer.ca/Hist103/Louis%20Riel%20-%20chronology%20outline%20for%20103.pdf | access-date = 2007-09-24 | url-status = dead | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20071025003758/http://www.lackenbauer.ca/Hist103/Louis%20Riel%20-%20chronology%20outline%20for%20103.pdf | archive-date = 2007-10-25 }} It ceased to exist following the defeat of the Métis militarily during the Battle of Batoche, which concluded on May 20, 1885. During its existence the government only exercised authority over the Southbranch Settlements along the South Saskatchewan River. Other major centres in the area such as Prince Albert, Saskatoon, and most First Nations reserves remained outside of its control.