Gabriel Dumont Commemorative Photo Album (17)
Title: Gabriel Dumont Commemorative Photo Album (17)
Subject: Dumont, Gabriel, Statue, 1885 Resistance, Epp, Bill, Fisher, Dennis, Jean
Description: In 1984, Saskatoon-based sculptor Bill Epp (brown sweater, pony tail) was commissioned by the Commemorate `85 corporation to sculpt a statue of Gabriel Dumont. In these photographs, Bill Epp (grey sweater) is working on the Gabriel Dumont statue in his workshop in February 1985. Still in plaster, the statue was awaiting casting in bronze at a nearby foundry. The statue was taken to Saskatoon from New Mexico to be unveiled during a special tribute to Gabriel Dumont on May 6, 1985. Later, the statue was taken to the Dumont family reunion at Duck Lake, and was later presented to Saskatoon City Hall on May 14, 1985.

Dennis (red sweater; brown coat) and Jean Fisher (red sweater) appear in many of these photographs. The final maquette from which the statue would be based also appears in some of these photographs. The maquette`s measurements were 109 cm to the top of the hat, 94 cm to the top of the ear, 102 cm in overall all length, and 33 cm at its greatest width. It weighted approximately 200 lbs (90.72 kg), and its estimated casting cost was $5,000 US. Dennis Fisher, then chair of the Commemorate `85 Corporation and a long-time collector of Métis and First Nations artifacts, was the driving force behind the creation of this statue. Bill Epp originally wanted to make a statue of Louis Riel but Dennis Fisher convinced him to make one of Gabriel Dumont.

This folder contains images relating to the commemoration of Gabriel Dumont during the centenary of the 1885 Resistance. This album (#12 in Dennis Fisher`s Photo Collection) centres around sculptor Bill Epp making the Gabriel Dumont statute in his studio in New Mexico; Dennis and Jean Fisher visiting Epp in his studio; the Fishers and Epp taking the statue to the Dumont family reunion in the summer of 1885; the Fishers and Epp taking the statue to Saskatoon for public display; and having it unveiled on a day of tribute to Gabriel Dumont on May 6, 1985 in Saskatoon. Other events including the unveiling of the Gabriel Dumont stamp and first-day cover by Canada Post, the dedication of the Gabriel Dumont Statue and Park, jigging and square dancing by the Gabriel Dumont Dancers, and the official opening of the Marr Residence. The Gabriel Dumont Statue was originally to be placed in the newly-created Gabriel Dumont Park; however, it permanently rests in Friendship Park in Saskatoon.

This photo album is part of the Dennis and Jean Fisher Collection. This collection contains archaeological artifacts taken from the battlefields of the 1885 Resistance as well as Fort Pitt (Saskatchewan), Cumberland House (Saskatchewan), and St. Peter`s Mission, Montana. The collection also includes various artifacts and ephemera relating to the 1885 Resistance and Gabriel Dumont.
Date: 1985
Type: Image
Date of Copyright: January 24, 2012
Coverage: Tesuque, New Mexico, Saskatoon, Saskatchewan
GDI Media Filename: Gabriel Dumont Photo Album (17).jpg

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Category Gabriel Dumont Commemorative Photo Album, 1984-1985