2. Introduction The Jesuits were avid bookkeepers and reporters They kept annual records of their French missionaries that were highly detailed These records included descriptions and reports of: Progress, epidemics, outbreaks of war Also descriptions of customs, habits, and cultures of the various native nations These documents are considered some of the most important set of materials detailing the 17th century encounter
3. Introduction Every Jesuit was a college professor at some point in their career – this allowed them to have great skills at teaching They desired to conquer the secular world Created devotional societies for laypeople Preached to illiterate Gave spiritual advice to kings Were able to make conversions all over the world including Asia, China, India, and of course the New World
4. Ch 1 – Montagnais Hunters Father Le Jeuna wrote the earliest published Jesuit Relations He decided to follow a Montagnais band on their hunt and learn more about them Overall while he tried to maintain the European mind frame of superiority he found it difficult to confront the Indians on their way of life
5. Ch 1- Montagnais Hunters Described their hunting traditions, and how the tribe contributed to the hunt Noted their cultures and beliefs – Such as their belief that Atahocam created the world Occasionally questioned the natives on these beliefs Also noted positive things about the Indians Said they had physical advantages Good quality of mind States the Indians to not get angry Patient Attached to their tribes and family, and cooperate admirably
6. Ch 4 – Diplomacy and War The Jesuits often had to work in a environment of tension and war due to the on-going conflicts between the natives and Europeans These wars and conflicts were detailed in the Jesuit Relations Jesuit Relations also documents, speeches, battle anecdotes, and captivity stories French though did not come to America as Christian conquerors
7. Ch 4 – Diplomacy and War Jesuit Relations also noted truces and times of peace Such as the times of truce between the Iroquois and northern nations such Also described the tradition of gift presenting in native ceremonies: usually of wampum/belt One writing details the attack Iroquois on the Huron in 1649 Iroquois attacked Huron by surprise Huron nation eventually collapsed after the attack of the Iroquois Many Huron converted and followed the Jesuits
8. Ch 6 – Missions to the Iroquois Jesuits desired to convert the Iroquois people Mohawks would come to be the most predominate among the “mission Indians” Iroquois and French finally established peace which allowed for more conversion With the peace, Iroquois had to accept Christian missionaries in their villages
9. Ch 6- Mission to the Iroquois Jesuits would keep track of the conversions and progress As with the documents of Jean Pierron describing his mission work Detailed number of persons he had baptized His efforts to help the natives give up their “bad habits” Wanted to make use of reading and writing– so began teaching the natives And success of conversion such as elders leading the youth into the chapel Other Jesuit missionaries noted changes as well and success Father Claude Chauchetiere noted intense religious activity Such as women devoting themselves to a life of charity and prayer
10. Ch 8 – Exploring the Mississippi Jesuits occasionally joined voyages to scout for potential new mission fields French wanted to establish a presence along the Mississippi One expedition made it from the top of Lake Michigan to where Arkansas and Louisiana now meet Jesuits would establish missions among the Illinois
11. Ch 8 – Exploring the Mississippi Jacques Marquette – famous missionary-explorer- wrote a passage for the Jesuit Relations that follows the journey Detailed the start of the expedition Interactions with the natives First encounter was with the Menominees Along the journey signs of their success could be seen such as a cross being displayed among the Maskoutens Customs of these natives Writing of the journey also allow for a better understanding of the landscape of the time
