St. Isidore, Alberta

History

The Hamlet of St. Isidore is named after St. Isidore, a patron saint of farm workers who was known to be a model worker. It was founded in 1953 by seven families from the Saguenay-Lac-Saint-Jean region of Quebec. The group was aided by the Union des Cultivateurs Catholiques (Group of Catholic Farmers) of Saguenay-Lac-Saint-Jean Quebec, a rural agricultural organization that promoted a cooperative approach to agriculture and rural living. Being the last community to be settled in a wave of migration from Quebec after the Second World War, it has managed to maintain much of its original cultural vibrancy. Over half a century later, the community still reflects the cultural, cooperative, and family spirit at the heart of this community.

Demographics

of St. Isidore

|1976|51 |1981|55 |1986|90 |1991|180 |1996|183 |2001|162 |2006|211 |2011|218 |2016|266 |2021|236

In the 2021 Census of Population conducted by Statistics Canada, St Isidore had a population of 236 living in 87 of its 99 total private dwellings, a change of from its 2016 population of 266. With a land area of 1.08 km2, it had a population density of in 2021.

As a designated place in the 2016 Census of Population conducted by Statistics Canada, St Isidore had a population of 266 living in 94 of its 97 total private dwellings, a change of from its 2011 population of 218. With a land area of 1.09 km2, it had a population density of in 2016.

Culture

During the third weekend of February each year, the hamlet hosts the Carnaval de St. Isidore in and around the St. Isidore Cultural Centre. Modeled after the Quebec Winter Carnival, this event celebrates the community's French-Canadian heritage through a variety of events while retaining the Albertan nature of the surrounding French communities. Among the major events is the snow sculpting competition in which the organizers, the St. Isidore Cultural Centre, sets a theme for the sculpting. Some themes over the years include Asterix & Obelix, Super Z’héros, Tropical, Orange, Western, and Vegas for the 30th edition in 2012. In addition to the professional category, the snow sculpting event also includes amateur and youth categories.

The Carnaval also features a mixture of traditional French folk and contemporary music, local talent, traditional French cooking, sleigh rides, log sawing, and other Franco-Canadian activities.

Carnaval de St. Isidore crowns the "ducs et duchesses" (its teenaged volunteers) King and Queen of the Carnaval. The volunteers are required to sell tickets in order to be entered into a draw that crowns the King and Queen.

Amenities

St. Isidore offers a number of services to residents and tourists, including: the St. Isidore Co-op, a library, le Conseil Scolaire du Nord-Ouest, St. Isidore Housing Cooperative, le Domaine des aînés (seniors residence), la Société des Compagnons, le Club du Bon Temps, le Club Barbar, the Weavers' Guild, a cultural centre, dance troupe Plein Soleil, St. Isidore Museum, Family Community Support Services, a summer camp, a skating rink, and a Catholic church.

The roads in St. Isidore are both numbered and named, with avenues running east–west and streets (rues) running north–south.

Economy

The economy of St. Isidore is predominantly agricultural in nature. Entreprises Macay is a family farming business that runs a Timothy hay drying and processing operation for export to Asian markets. There are beekeeping operations as well as dairy farming, both of which employ mostly seasonal workers. Residents of the hamlet also work in the nearby DMI Peace River Pulp Mill, Shell Peace River Complex, and the Town of Peace River.

References

References

2. {{AltaML
3. (Oct 2, 2007). "St. Isidore set to welcome new residents after lot draw". Peace River Record Gazette.
4. "Hamlets Within Northern Sunrise County". Northern Sunrise County.
5. "History".
6. Jean-Pierre Girard in collaboration with Suzi Brière. (Oct 2, 2007). "An identity to be asserted, a gap to be filled - Historical overview of the Co-operative Movement in French Canada : 1850-2000". Chaire de coopération Guy-Bernier/UQAM, IRECUS.
7. {{1976CDNcuipr
8. {{1981CDNcuipr
9. {{1986CDNcuipr
10. {{1991CDNcuipr
11. {{1996CDNcdplr
12. (August 15, 2012). "Population and Dwelling Counts, for Canada, Provinces and Territories, and Census Divisions, 2001 and 1996 Censuses - 100% Data (Alberta)". [[Statistics Canada]].
13. (July 20, 2021). "Population and dwelling counts, for Canada, provinces and territories, and designated places, 2006 and 2001 censuses - 100% data (Alberta)". [[Statistics Canada]].
14. (February 8, 2012). "Population and dwelling counts, for Canada, provinces and territories, and designated places, 2011 and 2006 censuses (Alberta)". Statistics Canada.
15. (February 9, 2022). "Population and dwelling counts: Canada and designated places". [[Statistics Canada]].
16. (February 8, 2017). "Population and dwelling counts, for Canada, provinces and territories, and designated places, 2016 and 2011 censuses – 100% data (Alberta)". [[Statistics Canada]].
17. "Travel Alberta".
18. [http://www.cachearoundtown.com/carnaval/carn07tour.html St Isidore Carnaval]
19. (Feb 13, 2008). "Carnaval de St. Isidore goes orange this year". Peace County Sun.