[3] The area of current-day St. François Xavier, commonly known as White Horse Plains (La Prairie du Cheval Blanc), was home to several distinct First Nations, such as the Cree and the Dakota.

In 1851, Father Louis-François Richer Laflèche accompanied the Métis buffalo hunters from the Parish of St. François Xavier on one of their annual hunts on the prairies.

Laflèche dressed only in a black cassock, white surplice, and stole, directed with the camp commander Jean Baptiste Falcon a miraculous defence against 2,000 Sioux combatants, using a crucifix at the Battle of Grand Coteau in North Dakota.

After a siege of two days (July 13 and 14), the Sioux withdrew, convinced that the Great Spirit protected the Métis.

[10] Notable people buried at the St. Francois Xavier Roman Catholic Church and Cemetery include:[11]