What began in 2015 as a conversation to replace an aging flag pole turned into an eight-year revitalization project that has transformed the heart of St. Jean Baptiste.
After her retirement in 2017, resident Mona Lavallée organized a planning committee with the local seniors club to beautify the area around the community’s historic church.
“It was a good time to focus on the project,” shared Lavallée. “We realized there could be more when the idea of a statue was suggested.”
What followed has been a series of many successful grant applications to Francophone and provincial organizations, local fundraising, and private donations to create several representations of the rich Métis and French-Canadian heritage in the community.
A focal point in the evolving community revitalization continues to be the life-size bronze statue of Métis pioneer Antoine Vandal and Raymond Rajotte, a young French Canadian, created by Argentine-born artist Débora Cardaci who now resides in southern Manitoba. Inspired by a 1928 black and white photograph from Lavallee’s childhood, the statue symbolizes the early settlers of the Red River Valley: the Manitoba Métis who welcomed and helped French Canadian families arriving from Québec and the United States.
“Brainstorming as a community and working together, we have changed an eyesore into something of historical significance,” Lavallée explained. “We focused on what needed fixing next, and slowly our town changed.”
The statue, along with a Peace Memorial honouring local veterans, was organized primarily by Lavallée and the founding committee members, with support morphing over the years to include the Local Urban District of St. Jean as well.
The revitalization extended to the remnants of the bridge pad that was capped and repainted by the municipality after Manitoba Transportation and Infrastructure dismantled the structure in 2013.
Interpretive panels share stories of the Red River’s floods and the river’s importance, as well as the role of the church in the community. A mural depicting local history was privately commissioned for the side of the St. Jean grocery store and completed by Morris-based artist Sarah Collard. Other projects included a welcome sign and a large concrete pad landscaped with trees, shrubs, and perennials.
“Estimating the total cost of the revitalization is no easy task,” reflected Lavallée. “Many in-kind contributions are invaluable. For example, prior to starting our project on the bridge deck, Manitoba Infrastructure came in and made the bridge deck safe by changing a few beams and replacing the entire fencing around the deck at their cost. None of that shows up in our expenses.”
Still, Lavallée estimates actual expenses to be just under half a million dollars, with almost half covered by provincial, federal, and municipal contributions. On-site panels showcase the organizations, businesses, and town residents that donated to the projects.
“Even this Saturday afternoon, I ran into a couple guys from Iowa who stopped to view the area and thought it was just lovely,” Lavallée said. “They were geocaching and obviously had to find some information around this project.”
