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 perseverance of landowner Guthrie Paterson (1912-1981), who believed the cemetery warranted remembrance, he enlisted MP 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

Aerial view of Sioux Cemetery (August 2024) Source: Gordon Goldsborough Sioux Cemetery (June 2010) Source: Gordon Goldsborough Sioux Cemetery (March 2021) Source: Rose Kuzina Sioux Cemetery commemorative monument (June 2010) Source: Gordon Goldsborough Sioux Cemetery commemorative monument (August 2024) Source: Gordon Goldsborough 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: 3 August 2024

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