Bishop disliked for residential school stance

Hey there, time traveller!
This article was published 02/01/2018 (2843 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

In 1860 Métisse settlers asked Bishop Taché if their newly-formed parish could be named after his patron saint, Alexander.

Taché declined the honour, instead suggesting the parish be named after the patron saint of Oblate priest, Fr. Justin Grandin who worked tirelessly in the community.

Grandin’s patron saint was Vitalis of Milan, Italy, who was buried alive when he refused to refute Christianity.

The parish stretched from what is now Lagimodiere Boulevard on the east to Brady Road to the west. Following his elevation to Bishop, Grandin headed west to Saskatchewan where he founded many parishes. Although Grandin did a lot of work in the Red River Settlement, he was disliked by many members of the Métisse community and almost loathed by the Cree, Ojibwa and Saulteaux for favouring residential schools.

“We instil in them a pronounced distaste for the native life so that they will be humiliated when reminded of their origins,” wrote Bishop Grandin in 1875. “When they graduate from out institutions, the children have lost everything Native except their blood.”

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Stock is dwindling but there is still time to pick up a historical 2018 calendar from the St. Vital Museum. Cost is $5 or three for $10, don’t be disappointed. Drop by for a tour of the museum, located in the 103-year-old fire hall, 600 St. Mary’s Rd. Saturday 9:30 a.m. until 4 p.m. Admission is free but donations are gladly accepted.

Check out the 1939 Fargo fire truck and the Red River cart plus all the gold and platinum records of the world’s top-selling band in 1970, The Guess Who.

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On Jan. 27, 1967, Bert Newbold was honoured for 40 years of service to St. Mary’s Magdalene Church. On behalf of the parishioners, Rev. Foreman presented Newbold with a gold watch and a wallet for his service as choirmaster and organist.

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In case you were wondering, at the St. Vital A&P store three pounds of Chiquita bananas cost 49 cents, cabbage cost 10 cents a pound, lamb legs were on sale for 59 cents a pound while a prime rib roast “7-inch cut — first 4 ribs” would set you back 79 cents a pound.

Bob Holliday is a community correspondent for St. Vital. Email him at docholliday90@me.com