Émile Jean-Baptiste Marie GrouardO.M.I.,"one of the most influential clerics in northern Alberta,"[1]wasApostolic Vicar of Athabasca.A gifted linguist, Grouard learned a number of languages of the indigenous peoples.
Émile Grouard | |
|---|---|
 Bishop Émile Grouard | |
| Born | Émile Jean-Baptiste Marie Grouard February 2, 1840 Brulon,France |
| Died | March 7, 1931(aged 91) |
| Nationality | French |
| Education | Laval University,Quebec |
| Occupation | Priest |
Life
editGrouard was born at Brulon, in Brittany, France February 1, 1840, the son of André and Anne Ménard Grouard; his father was a gendarme.Vital-Justin GrandinO.M.I. was his cousin.[2]
He began seminary training at Le Mans, before emigrating in 1860 to Canada, where he completed his theological studies at theSéminaire de Québec.In May 1862, he was ordained byAlexandre-Antonin Taché,Bishop of the Diocese of Saint BonifaceinManitoba.[2]
First journey North
editIn June 1862, newly ordained Father Grouard then 22 years old, was in Fort Garry withFather Émile Petitot,both having travelled there from Montreal withBishop Taché,and fellowOblates,Constantine Scollenand John Duffy.The two then travelled north with thePortage La Loche Brigade.He described his experience in his book "Souvenirs de mes soixante ans d'apostolat dans l'Athabaska-Mackenzie"(Memories of my sixty years of ministry in the Athabaska-Mackenzie)
"Monsignor Tachéhad made arrangements for our passage, Father Petitot and I, with theHudson's Bay Companyon the boats leaving that afternoon ofPentecostfor Portage La Loche. On the morning of this great feast day, we received ourreligious habitfrom theMonsignorand I began mynovitiatethat I would spend atLake Athabascaunder the direction ofFather Clut.During the journey my superior would be Father Petitot. The rule would be loosely followed. On the afternoon of the Pentecost, a brigade of eight York boats would leaveFort Garryand one would have Father Petitot and I as passengers. We each had our travel case, and Monsignor Taché had supplied for our voyage: thick wool blankets wrapped inoilskin,a tent, a stove, a tea kettle, plates and iron pans, knives and forks, a bag of dried meat, a large sack ofpemmican,a barrel of biscuits, some ham, tea, sugar. We were to live on this for two months. Monsignor had also arranged for aMétisto do our cooking and to help us set up our tent every night and take it down every morning. He suggested that we be quick to obey the guide's signal:"Lève! Lève!"in the morning and not to delay getting into the boat. He led us to the river's edge, gave us hisbenediction,embraced us tenderly like a father would and we took our place on the boat. "(translation)[3]
Grouard began his novitiate with the Missionary Oblates of Mary Immaculate atSaint Boniface,and made his final profession the following year. He grew a beard in order to appear older. Grouard had a talent for languages, and learnedCree,Chipewyan and Beaver. In 1863, he preached his first sermon inChipewyan.He would later print the Bible in the Chipewyan language.[2]
He served as a missionary in such places asFort Chipewyan,Fort Providence,Lac La BicheandDunvegan.In 1870, during a stay atFort Simpson,he decorated the small chapel and made an oil-painting of the Crucifixion. He returned to France for medical treatment, and while there took lessons in drawing and painting from the Christian Brothers in Paris. Upon his return, he decorated a side chapel in the church atSt. Albert,and an altarpiece for Notre Dame des Victoires atLac Ia Biche.[4]
He published several books in the Cree, Chipewyan and Beaver languages with a Stanhope printing press he acquired on a trip to France in 1874. In 1877 he andBishop Faraudprinted insyllabictype the first book published inAlberta.[5]
Bishop
editHe was appointed the vicar apostolic of Athabasca-Mackenzie and titular bishop of Ibora in 1890 and in 1891 he was ordained bishop of the new diocese of Athabasca.[1]
In order to improve the supply of provisions, he had steamboats built to travel on the Peace,Mackenzie,Slave and Athabasca Rivers. The boats were constructed and operated by the Oblate brothers. The mission atDunveganran the firststernwheeler,theSt. Charles,in 1902. Built for Bishop Grouard, her primary purpose was to aid him in his missionary work. She also carried goods for theNorth-West Mounted Policeand the HBC.[6]
During the negotiations ofTreaty 8in 1899 he advised theFirst NationsofLesser Slave Lake.[1]
In 1924, the French government made him a chevalier of the Legion of Honour. He died in Grouard, Alberta on March 7, 1931.
See also
editReferences
edit- ^abcLeonard, David W. (March 4, 2015)."Bishop Emile Grouard".The Canadian Encyclopedia.Archived fromthe originalon June 20, 2013.Retrieved2013-06-18.
- ^abcHuel, Raymond. "Grouard, Émile (Émile-Jean-Marie)",Dictionary of Canadian Biography,vol. 16, University of Toronto/Université Laval, 2003
- ^Grouard, Émile-Jean-Baptiste-Marie (1922),Souvenirs de mes soixante ans d'apostolat dans l'Athabaska-Mackenzie,Winnipeg: La Liberté, p. 21,retrieved2014-04-10
- ^Larmour, Judy. "Émile Grouard, Artist Bishop of the North",SSAC Bulletin,17:4
- ^"Oblates in the West (The Printing Press with Syllabic Type)".Retrieved2013-06-18.
- ^Downs, Art (1975–1979).Pioneer Days in British Columbia Volume 2.Heritage House and main author Harold Fryer. p. 120.ISBN0-919214-68-1.