Calling for the Invocation of Manitoba Law to Stop the Ongoing Deforestation and Disturbance of Lemay Forest

The Manitoba Historical Society, Heritage Winnipeg and the Manitoba Archaeological Society are aware of the current incursion and disturbance within the Lemay Forest in St. Norbert by the developer, Tochal Developments. The Manitoba Historical Society, Heritage Winnipeg and the Manitoba Archaeological Society are calling for a complete stoppage and moratorium on any incursion, damage, deforestation and alteration of the grounds of the Lemay Forest in this heritage area immediately.

The Lemay Forest site is protected under the Cemeteries Act due to the knowledge of presence of human remains in the Asile Ritchot cemetery, and the Heritage Resources Act as this site may have significant archaeological materials present. This site is currently under review for becoming a site of national historical significance. This site is historic and was a site that witnessed the Red River Resistance, and it is known that Louis Riel occupied this area along with many historical figures.

What we know:
· The Asile Ritchot cemetery in St. Norbert was the cemetery for the Asile Ritchot orphanage, a home for unwed mothers run by the Sisters of Misericordia from 1904-1948.
· Large numbers of children died from variety of causes such as poor nutrition, disease, and overcrowding.
· There was nearly a 60% mortality rate (599 per 1000 live births).
· Admissions note 1200 to 2300 children having died at this orphanage and likely the majority of those were buried in common graves in the cemetery.
· Only 15 bodies (named graves) were documented as having been removed and relocated (Desjardins Funeral Home 1974), children’s remains in unnamed graves likely were not removed.
· The Lemay Forest is a rare, natural old-growth riparian forest.
· The Lemay Forest is of special significance for animal and bird life, a protected area under the Federal Migratory Birds Protection Act with specific provisions to protect the threatened pileated woodpecker nesting sites.
· It is a site of cultural and natural heritage.
· Any disturbance or construction could disturb the ecosystem or groundwater.

Under Section 35 of the Cemeteries act:
Any person who
(a) willfully destroys, mutilates, defaces, injures or removes any tomb, monument, gravestone, or other structure placed in a cemetery, or any fence, railing, or other work for protection or ornament of a cemetery, or of any tomb, monument, gravestone, or other structure aforesaid, or of any cemetery lot within a cemetery; or
(b) willfully destroys, cuts, breaks, or injures any tree, shrub, or plant in a cemetery; or
(c) plays at any game or sport in a cemetery; or
(d) discharges firearms (save at a military funeral) in a cemetery; or
(e) willfully and unlawfully disturbs persons assembled for the purpose of burying a body therein; or
(f) commits a nuisance in a cemetery;
is guilty of an offence and liable under Manitoba Law.

The Manitoba Historical Society, Heritage Winnipeg, and the Manitoba Archaeological Society are calling for an immediate halt of any action, activity, removal of vegetation or alteration to the landscape by the contractor. Following this, at the very least, there must be environmental and archaeological impact assessments done by Manitoba Government officials. There must be complete compliance with heritage, cemetery and preservation laws that exist in Manitoba.

Given that this is a cultural and naturally sensitive heritage area, and likely contains mass, unidentified graves containing human remains, it is imperative that this site be protected by our heritage laws. We also recommend and expect longer-term measures to be put in place to ensure the long-term protection and conservation of Lemay Forest.

MEDIA RELEASE FROM:

The Manitoba Historical Society
Heritage Winnipeg Corporation
The Manitoba Archaeological Society