Here at Frog Plain, on 19 June 1816, Robert Semple, Governor of the Red River Settlement, and about 26 men confronted a North West Company brigade from the Assiniboine River. Led by the young Métis clerk Cuthbert Grant, the Métis saw the settlement as a threat to their way of life. Semple, brave but obstinate, was prepared to insist on his authority as governor. Tempers flared. A shot was fired and Semple and twenty of his men were cut down. Regardless of what Grant’s plan had originally been, he was now committed to action, and went on to capture Fort Douglas, headquarters of the settlement.
This monument, erected by the Manitoba Historical Society in 1891, is the oldest historic marker in Western Canada. It also includes a 1951 plaque from the Historic Sites and Monuments Board of Canada. The new interpretive park around the monument, officially opened on 19 June 2016, marks the 200th anniversary of the battle.
The Manitoba Historical Society unveils the Seven Oaks Monument (19 June 1891)
Source: Archives of Manitoba, Historic Sites, Seven Oaks 8, N13315.
Seven Oaks commemorative monument (August 2003)
Source: Gordon Goldsborough
Seven Oaks commemorative monument in a redeveloped park opened officially on 19 June 2016 (April 2019)
Source: Rose Kuzina
Seven Oaks commemorative monument (August 2021)
Source: George PennerSite Coordinates (lat/long): N49.93206, W97.12109
denoted by symbol on the map above
See also:
Seven Oaks: An Account of the Affair of Seven Oaks; and a Report of Proceedings of the Gathering for the Unveiling of the “Seven Oaks Monument,” June 19th, 1891 by George Bryce
MHS Transactions, Series 1, No. 43, Read 1891Historic Sites of Manitoba: Fort Douglas Cairn (Higgins Avenue, Winnipeg)
Historic Sites of Manitoba: Frog Plain Park (Frog Plain Way, Winnipeg)
Historic Sites of Manitoba: Manitoba Plaques for Persons, Events and Sites of National Historic Significance
Information for this page was provided by The City of Winnipeg’s Planning, Property and Development Department, which acknowledges the contribution of the Government of Manitoba through its Heritage Grants Program.
We thank Rose Kuzina and George Penner for providing additional information used here.
This page was prepared by Gordon Goldsborough.
Page revised: 14 May 2023
Historic Sites of Manitoba
This is a collection of historic sites in Manitoba compiled by the Manitoba Historical Society. The information is offered for historical interest only.
Browse lists of:
Museums/Archives | Buildings | Monuments | Cemeteries | Locations | OtherInclusion in this collection does not confer special status or protection. Official heritage designation may only come from municipal, provincial, or federal governments. Some sites are on private property and permission to visit must be secured from the owner.
Site information is provided by the Manitoba Historical Society as a free public service only for non-commercial purposes.
Send corrections and additions to this page
to the MHS Webmaster at webmaster@mhs.mb.ca.Help us keep history alive!
