Initiatives in French Midwest Heritage Collection (IF Midwest)

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Collection Overview

Title: Initiatives in French Midwest Heritage Collection (IF Midwest)

ID: OGLMC1519

Extent: 12.0 Linear Feet

Date Acquired: 04/27/2007

Subjects: Ethnicity - French, Ethnicity - French-Canadian, Ethnicity - Metis, Native Americans

Languages: English, French

Abstract

Established in 2007 to document French history in the Midwest

Scope and Contents of the Materials

The Initiatives in French Midwest Heritage Collection documents the history and heritage of the French, as well as French-Canadians, in the Midwest. The collection is comprised of materials from numerous donors.

Collection Historical Note

The Initiatives in French (IF) Midwest Heritage Collection was formally established 27 April 2007 on occasion of the first annual meeting of IF Midwest. This meeting took place on the campus of the University of North Dakota, at both the Chester Fritz Library and the International Centre.

Subject/Index Terms

Ethnicity - French
Ethnicity - French-Canadian
Ethnicity - Metis
Native Americans

Administrative Information

Repository: Elwyn B. Robinson Department of Special Collections

Access Restrictions: Open for inspection under the rules and regulations of the Elwyn B. Robinson Department of Special Collections.

Related Publications:

IFMidwest magazine. 2008-2010. Call number: E184.F8 I4

Numerous books, magazines and other publications were purchased through funds donated to IF Midwest. These have been cataloged and are searchable under the heading "Initiatives in French Midwest Heritage Collection (Chester Fritz Library)." They can also be viewed on ODIN.

Preferred Citation: (Description of Item). Initiatives in French Midwest Heritage Collection. OGLMC 1519, Box #, Folder #. Elwyn B. Robinson Department of Special Collections, Chester Fritz Library, University of North Dakota, Grand Forks.

Finding Aid Revision History: Finding aid added to Archon in January 2013.

Box and Folder Listing

Browse by Series:

[Series 1: IF Midwest Historical Documents, 2007-2010],
[Series 2: Chez Nous, Nouvelles Villes Jumelles, and Quebec Update, Donated by Dick Bernard, 1980-2001],
[Series 3: Family Heritage of the Emard and Boucher Families, Donated by Laura Munski],
[Series 4: DuBord Family Papers, Donated by Richard DuBord],
[Series 5: "A Volume of Treasures," Donated by Becky Leonard],
[Series 6: Sacred Heart Church of Oakwood, North Dakota, Donated by Mrs. Henry Bolek],
[Series 7: Boucher Family Documents, Donated by Merle Boucher],
[Series 8: French Language and French Music, Donated by Sylvia Paquin Steinart],
[Series 9: "Des Champ: From the Field," Donated by Leo Beauchamp],
[Series 10: Personal Journal and Article of Batoche Trek, Donated by Jim dale Huot-Vickery],
[Series 11: "Remembering Our Acadian Heritage," Donated by Virgil Benoit],
[Series 12: Marcil Family History, Donated by Wilmer Marcil],
[Series 13: "Beaulieu Remembered,” Donated by Ray and Rita Dunnigan],
[Series 14: “French Exile from Nova Scotia,” Donated by Kacie Richard],
[Series 15: Guibord Family Genealogy, Donated by Michael Martin],
[Series 16: Brunelle Family Genealogy, Donated by Jacqueline Keller],
[Series 17: Historical and Genealogical Materials of Rolette County, North Dakota, Donated by Marie Roberge],
[Series 18: Quilt made by Honorè Savard, Donated by Evelyn Landis, 1865],
[Series 19: "Bill Martin's Letter to His Grandchildren", January 24, 1993],
[Series 20: Casavant and Dionne Ancestry],
[Series 21: "As I Remember St. Paul of Tarsus' Parish"],
[Series 22: Our Lady of the Sacred Heart, 125th Anniversary, 2007],
[Series 23: Notre Dame Academy Reunion, 2006],
[Series 24: "The Ancestry of Louis Elie Benoit and Rose Anna Chouinard"],
[Series 25: Pierriche by Louis Ritchotte],
[Series 26: Charlebois Family and Richard Family Materials, Donated by Carmen Richard],
[Series 27: "Walking in Our Time: The Family History of Flavien Croteau and Zelia Filteau of St. John, North Dakota"],
[Series 28: Father Joseph Goiffon Material],
[Series 29: Family Heritage of the Bernard, Blondeau, Collette, and Cote Families, Donated by Dick Bernard],
[Series 30: Dr. John Crawford Material, UND Department of English; Donated by Gwen Crawford],
[Series 31: John Rivard Archive, Donated by Jeanne Rivard],
[Series 32: Charles Morin Materials, Donated by Jerry and Julie King],
[All]

Series 31: John Rivard Archive, Donated by Jeanne Rivard

"Rivard, John T., Age 94, of Coon Rapids died on October 30, 2005 of pneumonia. Preceded in death by parents, Louis H. & Alma; brothers, Louis, Richard and Raymond; and sister, Louise. Survived by spouse of 35 years, Jeanne; many nieces, nephews, grand nieces, grand nephews and cousins. Ordained a Catholic priest May 18, 1940 in the Cathedral of Quebec, he served as Assistant Pastor in several parishes prior to becoming Pastor at St. Anne's in Somerset, WI (1946-65), leaving the priestly ministry in 1970. John married Jeanne Shallbetter in 1970 at St. John's Abbey, Collegeville, MN. He was made District Manager of Northern MN Historic Sites by the MN Historical Society and retired from the Society in 1978. He continued giving historical programs based on historical figures for many years, numbering 1,394 programs in all. In 1979, he founded the Societe Canadienne Francaise du MN, having chapters in the Twin Cities and St. Cloud. He will be missed very much by his loving spouse, Jeanne, and his many, many relatives and friends."

Source: St. Paul Pioneer Press, 3 November 2005

John Rivard was the founder of La Societe Canadienne Francaise, a cultural interest group based in Minneapolis, Minnesota. Material related to the organization includes its constitution and by-laws, meeting minutes, correspondence and photographs.

The collection also documents Rivard's role as an historical re-enactor. He portrayed a French voyageur, United States President George Washington, a lumberjack, and Charles Lindbergh, among others. He gave numerous presentations throughout the upper Midwest and served as the "Official Voyageur of Minnesota" during his career.

Jeanne Rivard gave these materials to Dick Bernard, who in turn deposited them in Special Collections in April 2008 (2010-3024).

Box 7

Folder 30: John Rivard Biographical Information

Item 1: Pamphlet: "History Alive: Live Presentations by John T. Rivard"
Item 2: "Chronology of the Life of John Theophile Rivard"
Item 3: Funeral Card, November 5, 2005
Photograph 1: Black and White Photograph of Rivard in Lumberjack Costume

Folder 31: John Rivard Newspaper Clippings

Folder 32: Slides for Presentation by Rivard: "Lumbering 1"

Folder 33: Slides for Presentation by Rivard: "Lumbering 2"

Folder 34: Slides for Presentation by Rivard: "Minnesota Explorers and Settlers 1"

Folder 35: Slides for Presentation by Rivard: "Minnesota Explorers and Settlers"

Folder 36: Text of Presentations by Rivard: "The Miracle of the Constitution" and "The French Voyageur and the Fur Trade", 1987

Featuring Rivard portraying George Washington

Folder 37: "Nicolas Rivard, Sieur of La Vigne"

Handwritten essay

Folder 38: La Societe Canadienne Francaise: Constitution and By-Laws, 1987

Folder 39: La Societe Canadienne Francaise: "Notre Manuel", November 1983

Introductory manual

Folder 40: La Societe Canadienne Francaise: Informational Pamphlets

Folder 41: La Societe Canadienne Francaise: Meeting Minutes, 1982-1986

Folder 42: La Societe Canadienne Francaise: Meeting Minutes, 1987-1988

Folder 43: La Societe Canadienne Francaise: Meeting Minutes, 1996-2001

Box 9

Folder 1: La Societe Canadienne Francaise: Correspondence, 1979-2001
Folder 2: La Societe Canadienne Francaise: Correspondence, undated
Folder 3: La Societe Canadienne Francaise: Membership
Folder 4: La Societe Canadienne Francaise: Activities/Programming, 1981, 1982, 1986
Folder 5: La Societe Canadienne Francaise Photographs: Grand Portage, September 21, 1985
Folder 6: La Societe Canadienne Francaise Photographs: Christmas Party, December 21, 1985
Folder 7: La Societe Canadienne Francaise Photographs: Summer Picnic, 1987
Folder 8: La Societe Canadienne Francaise Photographs: Summer Picnic, 1988
Folder 9: La Societe Canadienne Francaise Photographs: Picnic, June 1989
Folder 10: La Societe Canadienne Francaise Photographs: Cathedral Visit and Festival of Nations, April 1990
Folder 11: La Societe Canadienne Francaise Photographs: Picnic, June 25, 1990
Folder 12: La Societe Canadienne Francaise Photographs: Christmas Party, December 14, 1990
Folder 13: La Societe Canadienne Francaise Photographs: Festival of Nations, April 25 and 26, 1991
Folder 14: La Societe Canadienne Francaise Photographs: Little Canada, Minnesota, Parade, August 11, 1991
Folder 15: La Societe Canadienne Francaise Photographs: August and October 1991
Folder 16: La Societe Canadienne Francaise Photographs: Christmas Party, December 1991
Folder 17: La Societe Canadienne Francaise Photographs: Picnic in Stillwater, Minnesota, June 23, 1992
Folder 18: La Societe Canadienne Francaise Photographs: Festival of Nations, April 29, 1993
Folder 19: La Societe Canadienne Francaise Photographs: Picnic, July 25, 1993
Folder 20: La Societe Canadienne Francaise Photographs: Christmas Party, St. Louis Church Mass, and Christmas at Stephens, December 1993
Folder 21: La Societe Canadienne Francaise Photographs: Picnic and Rice Street Parade, July 1994
Folder 22: La Societe Canadienne Francaise Photographs: November 10, 1994
Folder 23: La Societe Canadienne Francaise Photographs: Christmas Party, December 1994
Folder 24: La Societe Canadienne Francaise Photographs: April 28, 1995
Folder 25: La Societe Canadienne Francaise Photographs: Picnic, July 1995
Folder 26: La Societe Canadienne Francaise Photographs: January 27, 1996
Folder 27: La Societe Canadienne Francaise Photographs: Picnic, June 23, 1996
Folder 28: La Societe Canadienne Francaise Photographs: Picnic, July 1997
Folder 29: La Societe Canadienne Francaise Photographs: March 1999
Folder 30: La Societe Canadienne Francaise Photographs: October 1999
Folder 31: La Societe Canadienne Francaise Photographs: March 2000
Folder 32: La Societe Canadienne Francaise Photographs: October 6, 2000
Folder 33: La Societe Canadienne Francaise Photographs: Christmas Party, December 6, 2000
Folder 34: La Societe Canadienne Francaise Photographs: St. Jean Baptiste Fete, June 23, 2001
Folder 35: La Societe Canadienne Francaise Photographs: Christmas Party, December 1, 2001
Folder 36: La Societe Canadienne Francaise Photographs: June 3, 2002
Folder 37: La Societe Canadienne Francaise: Central Minnesota Branch
Folder 38: La Societe Canadienne Francaise: Ellis Island Centennial Commission Certificate, 1985
Folder 39: Charles Lindbergh General File, 1927, 1970-2002: Includes correspondence from Charles Lindbergh to John Rivard
Folder 40: Festival du Voyageur Programme Souvenir: 1979, 1980, 1991
Folder 41: "French in America" Calendar, 1985-1996: Created by UND Professor Dr. Virgil Benoit
Folder 42: Societe des Voyageurs Nationale

Box 8

Cassette Tape 15: "Perspective" Radio Program, 1978: Program host Bud Goldstein interviewed Rivard regarding the life and times of Charles Lindbergh. Rivard worked for several years as the Manager of the Charles A. Lindbergh Historic Site in Little Falls, Minnesota.

Oversize Folder 1: Color Photograph of Rivard in Voyageur Costume

Placed in the Oversize File Cabinets

Department of Special Collections
Digital Finding Aids