Historic Sites of Manitoba: Old Sioux Village and Cemetery (Portage la Prairie)

Link to:
Photos & Coordinates | Sources

A cemetery within the present-day limits of the City of Portage la Prairie was used by Sioux people from the United States who came here in the 1870s and worked land in the vicinity. Through the perseverence of landowner Guthrie Paterson (1912-1981), who believed the cemetery warranted remembrance, he enlisted MLA Siegfried Enns and the Manitoba Historical Society to erect a stone monument with a plaque listing the names of those buried in the cemetery between 1871 and 1959. The names are as follows:

David Ross
Mrs. D. Ross
May Best Ross
Manisni
Peter Ross Sr.
Mrs. Ross
John Ross
George Ross
Willie Ross
Kangi
Mrs. Kangi
Dami
Okide
Wicinyan
William Hall
Wacinhesa
Wohdakeda
Charlie Chaske
Sandy
Mrs. Sandy
Matochaske
Hewakan
Mrs. Kewakan
Susbe
Charlie Smoke
Jessie Smoke

Hakepteceda
Kiniwan
Tapejuta
Charlie Hall
Mrs. Charlie Hall
Reuben Hall
Mrs. Reuben Hall
John Hall
Jim Bell
Mrs. Bell
Alan Bell
John Bell
Candi
Mrs. Candi
Jimmy Rose
Kinyantanina
Wisanna
Sicuha
Istopta
George Pashe
Mrs. George Pashe
Henry Pashe
Minnie Pashe
Pazi Iyapa
Mazasnawin
Tatebobduwin
Makanabduwin
George Siha
John Pashe

Mrs. John Pashe
Edward Pashe
Tito
Arthur Pashe
Annie
Hopstin
Canpa
Ihawastewin
Tateoihduzewin
Hepan
Jim Ektada
Mrs. Ektada
Wikoskeda
Big Tom
Mrs. Big Tom
Omnimniwin
John Chaske
Mrs. Chaske
John Chaske Jr.
Owancayagiwin
Wakinyahotewin
Hapan Bell
Wihake Bell
Alex Wood
Mrs. Wood
Charlie Wood
Jennie Wood
Old Faithful

Photos & Coordinates

Sioux Cemetery

Sioux Cemetery (June 2010)
Source: Gordon Goldsborough

Sioux Cemetery

Sioux Cemetery (March 2021)
Source: Rose Kuzina

Sioux Cemetery commemorative monument

Sioux Cemetery commemorative monument (June 2010)
Source: Gordon Goldsborough

Closeup of commemorative plaque

Closeup of commemorative plaque (June 2010)
Source: Gordon Goldsborough

Site Coordinates (lat/long): N49.94526, W98.29096
denoted by symbol on the map above

Sources:

Obituary [Guthrie Paterson], Winnipeg Free Press, 9 December 1981, page 75.

“Guthrie Patterson’s graveyard” by L. C. Hewson, source unknown, pages 3-4.

We thank Bob Carmichael, Lauren Tate, and Rose Kuzina for providing additional information used here.

This page was prepared by Gordon Goldsborough.

Page revised: 7 August 2021

Historic Sites of Manitoba

This is a collection of historic sites in Manitoba compiled by the Manitoba Historical Society. The information is offered for historical interest only.

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