Battle of the Hatpins
On a cold January day in 1916, dozens of francophone parents fought off police who were trying to prevent French-language instruction at the Guigues School in Ottawa. In the infamous Battle of the Hatpins, mothers brandished rolling pins, cast-iron pans and hatpins and refused to allow police on the grounds.
In this episode, executive director of the Alliance des femmes de la francophonie canadienne, Soukaina Boutiyeb, helps us explore the centuries-long fight for francophone rights in Ontario – and the historic battle that marked it.
This episode was written and produced by Historica Canada. Production support from Andrew Chung and Edit Audio. Post-production by Edit Audio.
Thanks to Soukaina Boutiyeb and to our script consultant, historian Dr. Marcel Martel.
Fact-checking by Sebastian Leck.
Cover image courtesy of the University of Ottawa, Centre for Research on French Canadian Culture (CRCCF).
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This project has been made possible in part by the Government of Canada.