La Loche twins go to college as seminarians |
| August 1939: Joseph Montgrand, the twins Alfred and Jean-Marie and mother Augustine (Laliberte). The two boys studied to be oblates from 1939 to 1942. |
"We are always looking for religious vocations among our people. Without schools, choices are difficult, how can we found a college for them? I presented two twins at the "Juniorat d'Edmonton", and I dream of the blessed day that we see from my Mission and even from all of Keewatin, a priest. What an inspiration it would be! While waiting it costs us 300 dollars a year and we don't know if they will persevere. We cannot count on the assistance of the parents. They think they are doing us a great favour in permitting the instruction of their children. They think that we should pay them if you can believe it. Who would like to be the first to donate towards our two Dene seminarians? Who will adopt his future Dene priest? Let God inspire you and bless you?" (translation) ......wrote Father Ducharme
Higher education in 1940
Alfred and Jean-Marie Montgrand went to an Edmonton college from 1939 to 1942 to pursue their education. They were seminarians studying to be oblate priests. Studying for the priesthood takes many years, sometimes six to eight years. They didn't become priests but they did get a few years of education that they would not have gotten otherwise.
The first school in La Laloche was built in 1941 and a high school was finally built in 1979.
The only other education available were the residential schools in Beauval and Ile a la Crosse.
...History of La Loche..Residential Schools
The price of a college education in 1940.
It took $300.00 a year to support the two boys in an Edmonton college according to Father Ducharme who was the priest of the La Loche Mission. $150.00 for each boy.
The price of running the La Loche School in 1944.
A year's wages for Sister Arcand of La Loche a licensed teacher in 1944 who had eight years of experience was $700.00 a year plus room and board. That would be $58.33 a month in wages plus room and board. The government of Saskatchewan provided an operational grant of $3.50 per day for the school in La Loche. Local revenue was $42.00 for the year and $200.00 was given as a repair grant. Adding the totals; $700.00 for the teacher, $700.00 operational grant ($3.50 times 200 days), $42.00 local revenue. $200.00 repair grant for a grand total of $1642.00.
. ....History Of La Loche..Education
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| Alfred and Jean-Marie Montgrand beside a tepee in La Loche |
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| Alfred and Jean-Marie Montgrand with Father Ducharme outside the rectory in La Loche. |
    The Piercy Report of 1944 |
| The Piercy Report of 1944: This report by the Saskatchewan government showed the inadequacies of Metis education in the north. |
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| This is the report on West La Loche a settlement on the west side of Lac La Loche. A school was never built in West La Loche and eventually the village was abandoned as families moved to La Loche to be near the Hudson's Bay Post, the hospital and the school. ...........link.....Obituary for Alfred Montgrand
OBITUARY OF ALFRED MONTGRAND, extracted by Eileen Horan, from the Prince Albert Daily Herald - Friday, October 22nd 2004, edition:
MONTGRAND - Mr Alfred Thomas Montgrand late of Prince Albert, Saskatchewan, passed away October 20th 2004 in Prince Albert at the age 83 years.
Alfred is survived by: his wife of 53 years, Gertrude [nee Merasty] Montgrand; his children: Janice [Carl] Lentowicz and their children - Sean, Karl, & Evan, Alma Montgrand and her children - Kim [Travis], Christie & Blake, Brenda Montgrand and her children - Jeanette, Michelle & Ian, Betty [William] Langford and their children - Joel, Troy & Karla, Coleen Montgrand, Alfred Montgrand Jr. and his children - Morgan, Hunter, cameron, Trystin & Sabrian, Carol-Ann Morin and her children - Jackson, Daniel, & Nahanni; 9 great grandchildren; a special niece, Karen Merasty and her children - Jonathan, Victoria & Ryan.
He is also survived by 2 sisters: Marie Morin and Eleanore Montgrand; as well as numerous nieces and nephews.
Alfred was predeceased by: his parents, Joseph and Augustine [nee Laliberte] Montgrand; his sister, Sarazine; his brothers: Jules, Gilbert, Magloire, and twin brother Jean Marie [Johnny] Montgrand.
The Funeral Service will be conducted on Saturday, October 23rd 2004, at 2:00 P.M. in the Sacred Heart Cathedral [1401 - 4th Street West] in Prince Albert with Father Ron Zimmer offficiating. Cremation to follow the service. MacKenzie Funeral Home entrusted with arrangements.
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