Proclaiming the Gospel to the Indians and the Metis

Download or read book Proclaiming the Gospel to the Indians and the Metis written by Raymond J.A. Huel and published by University of Alberta. This book was released on 1996-07 with total page 420 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: Since their arrival in Red River in 1845, the Missionary Oblates of Mary Immaculate have played an integral role in the history of Canada's North West. The Oblates followed the Hudson's Bay Company trade routes into western Canada. They believed ardently in the importance of bringing the word of Christ to natives of what - to the Oblates - was a new land. Competition with Protestant missionaries added pressure to the missionary work of the Oblates. In recent years, the Oblates have acknowledged that their converts - radically torn from traditional native worship and spirituality - made a sometimes troubled embrace of Christianity. Guided by their vision of Christian society and norms, the Oblates went on to work with the Government of Canada to provide health care and education to treaty Indians on the prairies. Their strong identity as both French and Catholic helped shape both native and non-native communities throughout Canada's North West.