Father Jacques Marquette, the man who gave Marquette its name, made an incredible mark not only on the Upper Peninsula, but throughout North America as well.

The French Jesuit Missionary built an indelible legacy during his 17th century missions around the Great Lakes. From founding St. Ignace, to being the first European to explore and map the northern part of the Mississippi River Valley region, Father Marquette changed the world as we know it today.

Marquette died on one of his missions at the young age of 37. Sunday marks the 350th anniversary of his death.

On Monday, Northern Michigan University will be holding an event to commemorate the 350 years since Father Marquette passed away.

The full-day event will be hosted by the Beaumier U.P. Heritage Center and will take place from 8 a.m. until 5 p.m. on Monday, May 19.

Throughout the day, several presentations, roundtable discussions, addresses and a film showing will take place to celebrate the life and legacy of Father Marquette, who died on May 18, 1675.

The event’s keynote speaker is celebrated Catholic scholar Bronwen McShea, a historian, writer, speaker and artist from New York City. McShea, among other things, wrote the book “Apostles of Empire: The Jesuits and New France” which is a history of the French Jesuit mission throughout North America in the 17th and 18th centuries, a mission which Father Marquette was a part of.

8 a.m.: “Father Jacques Marquette: the making of a North American hero” by Daniel Truckey, Director/Curator, Beaumier U.P. Heritage Center, Northern Michigan University.

9 a.m.: “An Anishinaabe Perspective on Forced Christianization and the Native American Boarding Schools.” by Dr. Jud Sojourn, Assistant Professor of Native American Studies and Tyler Detloff, Director, Center for Native American Studies.

10 a.m.: “A Noble Figure: The Story of the Three Marquette Statues” by Steve Brisson, Director, Michigan State Historic Parks.

11 a.m.

Keynote Address: “The French Jesuits in Colonial North America” by Dr. Bronwen McShea, Historian.

Lunch Break

1:30 p.m.: “Father Marquette Monuments in the United States” Dr. Russ Magnaghi, Professor Emeritus of History, Northern Michigan University.

2:30 p.m.: “The Unsolved Mysteries of Father Marquette’s Many Graves” by Jennifer McGraw, Historian

3:30 p.m. Showing of the film, “The Return” followed by a round table discussion on the film about Father Marquette’s remains being returned to St. Ignace, featuring: Daniel Rydholm, M.Div, official historian for “The Return”; Jon Magnuso of The Cedar Tree Institute; and Russ Rickley, Tribal Elder, Sault Tribe of Chippewa Indians.

We encourage anyone who has an interest in history to attend the event.