Legislature in Winnipeg, Manitoba — Canada’s Prairie Region (North America)

Noël-Joseph Ritchot

(1825-1905)

Photographed By Cosmos Mariner, June 14, 2022

1. Noël-Joseph Ritchot Marker

Inscription. Click to hear the inscription.

[English] Born at L'Assomption, Lower Canada, Father Ritchot arrived at St. Norbert as a missionary in 1862, serving there until his death. He took part in the Red River Settlement's resistance when Canada annexed the Northwest without consultation in 1869-1870. He then led the delegation which Louis Riel's provisional government sent to Ottawa to negotiate entry into Confederation. The delegates suggested the name Manitoba, gained its immediate acceptance as a province, and won strong representation in Canada's Parliament. Ritchot later promoted the expansion of francophone settlement in Manitoba.

[Français] Né à L'Assomption, (Bas-Canada), l’abbé Ritchot fut missionnaire à St. Norbert de 1862 jusqu'à sa mort. Il prit part à la résistance de la colonie de la Rivière-Rouge lorsque le Canada annexa le Nord-Ouest sans consultation en 1869-1870. Il dirigea ensuite la délégation envoya à Ottawa par le gouvernement provisoire de Louis Riel pour négocier l'entrée de la colonie dans la Confédération. Les délégués proposèrent le nom de Manitoba, réussirent aussitôt à la faire accepter comme province et obtinrent

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une forte représentation au Parlement du Canada. Ritchot favorisa par la suite l'expansion de la colonisation francophone au Manitoba.

Erected 2001 by Historic Sites and Monuments Board of Canada/Commission des lieux et monuments historiques du Canada.

Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Churches & Religion • Native Americans • Settlements & Settlers. In addition, it is included in the Canada, Historic Sites and Monuments Board series list. A significant historical year for this entry is 1862.

Location. 49° 52.969′ N, 97° 8.77′ W. Marker is in Winnipeg, Manitoba. It is in Legislature. Marker can be reached from Assiniboine Avenue, 0.2 kilometers east of Osborne Street North (Provincial Highway 62), on the right when traveling east. Marker is located in River Walk Park, near the Louis Riel monument, on the south side of the Manitoba Legislative Building. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Winnipeg MB R3C 1S4, Canada. Touch for directions.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. John Norquay (within shouting distance of this marker); Government House (about 210 meters away, measured in a direct line); Marc-Amable Girard (approx. 0.4 kilometers away); Winnipeg Law Courts / Le Palais de Justice de Winnipeg (approx. 0.4 kilometers away); Dr. Amelia Yeomans / Le Docteur Amelia Yeomans

Photographed By Cosmos Mariner, June 14, 2022

2. Noël-Joseph Ritchot Marker

(looking west through River Walk Park)

(approx. 0.7 kilometers away); Bonnycastle Park (approx. 0.8 kilometers away); Thomas Douglas (approx. 0.9 kilometers away); The Fort Garry (approx. 0.9 kilometers away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Winnipeg.

Also see . . .
1. Father Noël-Joseph Ritchot, National Historic Person.

First Roman Catholic parish priest at Qu'appelle (1862) and at St. Norbert (1870-1905).

(Submitted on April 17, 2023, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida.)

2. Noël-Joseph Ritchot.

In the summer of 1869 Ritchot played a critical role during the formative stages of Métis resistance to the proposed transfer of the northwest from the Hudson’s Bay Company to Canada. As the movement evolved, Ritchot hosted its leaders, including Riel, in his home and billeted the Métis “soldiers” in his church. He acted as a recorder of the deliberations of the Métis, as chaplain to their forces, and as a counsellor to their leaders, particularly Riel.

(Submitted on April 17, 2023, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida.)

3. The Priest Who Shaped a Province.

On the south grounds of the Manitoba legislative building stands
Photographed By Cosmos Mariner, June 14, 2022

3. Louis Riel Monument
(located a few steps from Noël-Joseph Ritchot marker • Manitoba Legislative Building in background to the north)
a larger-than-life statue of Louis Riel that recognizes the Métis leader’s pivotal role in the creation of Canada’s fifth province. Although his role was almost equal to that of Riel, Abbé Ritchot, despite being Riel’s éminence grise, rarely merits more than a brief historical footnote. Baptized as Joseph-Noël, he also signed as Noël or N.J. He was deeply involved with the Red River Settlement’s activist Métis before Riel became their leader and the voice of the resistance to Canadian rule.

(Submitted on April 17, 2023, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida.)

4. Noel Joseph Ritchot (Find A Grave).

(Saint Boniface Cathedral Cemetery, Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada)
In 1862, he asked to be sent to the Red River Settlement, in the newly formed Saint-Boniface diocese to help Mrg Taché, who assigned him to the Métis parish of Saint Norbert. Ritchot soon realized the Métis needed as much political as religious guidance. He became a close associate of Louis Riel. Ritchot also suggested the name of the new province: Manitoba (the land of the Great Spirit).

(Submitted on April 17, 2023, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida.)

Credits. This page was last revised on April 17, 2023. It was originally submitted on April 17, 2023, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida. This page has been viewed 76 times since then and 13 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on April 17, 2023, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida.