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Missionaries in Oregon Country . Learning Target. I can describe the relationship Catholic and Protestant missionaries had with the Native Americans in the Oregon Country. Oregon Country. Indian Country. “Oregon Promoters” overlooked the fact that the Indians outnumbered the whites.
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Learning Target I can describe the relationship Catholic and Protestant missionaries had with the Native Americans in the Oregon Country.
Indian Country • “Oregon Promoters” overlooked the fact that the Indians outnumbered the whites. • Traders worked hard to keep relations peaceful. • Remember: Native American Women article. • Mutual Benefits! • Missionaries confronted a landscape that was mostly Indian. • Turn and Talk: How do you think the Missionaries would handle this fact?
Indian Spirituality • Extensive spiritual world: • Animals, plants, and weather have a spirit. • These spirits influence human lives. • To promote harmony humans practiced ceremonies and rituals. • Dancing, singing, and games. • Shaman (medicine man) was the center • Guide to the spirit world • Could communicate with the spirits.
How the U.S. saw the Indians One of two ways: Primitive savages, little different from wild animals, OR… As little children who, with the proper instruction, could enter into “sophisticated civilization.”
Missionaries • In general Europeans and Americans saw their culture as superior. • Whites throughout North America took it upon themselves to “civilize” the Indians. • The first task: to convert their native religious beliefs into Christian ones. • This was the job of the missionaries.
Christianity • Two types of Christian Missionaries: • Protestant • Catholic • Turn to Pg. 172 & 173 and Read • In your groups: what do you know about these two Christian ideas? • What are some differences and similarities?
A Rivalry European countries began identifying as either Protestant or Catholic and thus a competition began. This competition carried over to the New World and eventually the Pacific Northwest.
Jason and Daniel Lee 1st Missionaries to settle in Oregon Country (1834). Methodist minister (Protestant). Possessed outdoor survival skills and religious skills.
No Luck The Indians were eager to learn about the Christian faith, but were not willing to abandon their own spiritual beliefs and practices. The Lees became frustrated.
Marcus & Narcissa Whitman • Marcus was a physician, but enjoyed missionary work. • Part of the Congregationalist Church (Protestant). • Settled in Walla Walla.
Again, No Luck Like the Lees they were unable to convince the Indians to abandon their beliefs and practices. They built homes, schools, blacksmiths, wood mills, grain mills, and storage buildings. Turn and Talk: Why were the Protestants so adamant that the Indians abandon their beliefs?
Protestant Missionaries • For these early missionaries the idea of accepting Christianity also meant that the Indians needed to accept white civilization. • Houses, jobs, farming, beliefs, etc. • Establishments were seen more as trading posts than spiritual centers.
Protestant Missionaries As a result the Protestants thought of the Indians as arrogant, lazy, and stupid for not embracing their “superiority.” Both groups developed a sense of hatred towards the other.
Roman Catholic Missionaries “Black Robes”
Francois Blanchet Modeste Demers • First Priests in Oregon Country • Worked with Hudson’s Bay Company. • They did some preaching to local Indians and developed a strong relationship with them. • They allowed the Indians to maintain their tribal customs. • Did not have a goal to “civilize” the Natives.
Pierre Jean DeSmet • 1840-1860 • Worked in three separate Oregon Country areas. • Preached, Baptized, performed wedding services at two rendezvous. • Was even welcome in the Blackfeet tribe. • A war-like tribe.
Roman Catholic Missionaries More successful and had a better reputation than the Protestants. Both the Protestants and Catholics built schools and churches to educate the Indians. Catholics rarely asked the Indians to abandon their beliefs, instead they asked them to incorporate Christianity.
Roman Catholic Missionaries • The religious services for the Catholics were important. • Mass, rituals, ceremonies, song, chanting, sacraments. • The Protestant were more focused on intense relationships and study of the Bible. • The Natives could not read!
Roman Catholic Missionaries • Catholic priests were viewed as Shamans • They were invited on hunting and fishing trips, as well as war parties. • They were more nomadic that Protestant ministers. • They became more knowledgeable of Indian culture.
