Justin-Vital Grandin

Bishop Justin-Vital Grandin became an important and revered Oblate missionary. He was born and trained in France, and volunteered for the missions of northwest Canada. He worked at Fort Chipwyan until 1857. In1871, the church region of St. Boniface was split and he was named bishop of St. Albert.

He worked to bring education to the First and Métis Nations. Before the Northwest Rebellion he tried to get the government to listen to Metis concerns. He supported Father Lacombe and the Saint Paul des Métis project. Grandin built schools, orphanages and hospitals managed by female religious orders. He also encouraged immigration of French Canadians and Franco Americans to the Nrothwest Territories.

His body is buried in the crypt at the Holy Family Parish of Saint Albert.