To Evangelize the Nations: Roman Catholic Missions in Manitoba, 1818-1870

From the Author's Abstract, Page iv:

"This book presents a general overview of Roman Catholic missionary activity within the boundaries of what is now Manitoba from 1818 until 1870, identifying the causes which led to the foundation and development of the church in the west. The establishment of eight individual mission stations is detailed, with the unique circumstances of each linked to the more general character of all Roman Catholic missions in the west.

The author analyzes the complex relationship of the Church with the Native peoples - the Metis, Cree, Saulteux (Ojibwa), and Chipewyan [Dene] - and links this to the contemporary influences of the Hudson's Bay Company and Church Missionary Society on the Roman Catholic mission enterprise. Education as an integral component of mission theory is considered. The challenges faced by the bishops in supplying, from their limited revenues, sufficient clergy, nuns, and schools to pursue the expansion of the Church, are also taken into account.

Lack of time and space added to the necessarily heavy reliance on missionary documents, have prevented the author from an extensive analysis of Native reaction to the Catholic teaching or from consideration of the effects on Native culture of imported European Christianity. It is hoped that future historians will remedy this deficiency." (iv).

A digital edition is available at Open Library