Marchildon, Arthur (1920-96)

Born March 10, 1920, Père Arthur Marchildon was committed to strengthening Francophone communities in the province. Marchildon worked for L’Association Culturelle Franco-Canadienne de la Saskatchewan from 1952 to 1962. With Reverend Roger Ducharme, he created the province’s first advanced French curriculum for secondary schools. In 1962, Marchildon founded the Roman Catholic francophone parish of St. André in North Battleford. He later established a French-speaking school and nursing home in connection with the parish. In addition to his responsibilities as a priest, Marchildon helped open ten caisse populaires or francophone credit unions across the province. He was made a Member of the Order of Canada in 1986. Père Marchildon died on April 6, 1996. (Francophones; French Education in Saskatchewan)

Canadian Plains Research Center