Read about the latest updates to the www.FatherBaraga.org website
Above can be found a snapshot of what can be seen in the Madeline Island Museum regarding Father Baraga. Father Baraga lived and worked on Madeline Island (which is a total of 14 miles long and 3 miles wide), where Chief Buffalo lived, during the years of 1835-1843. Above you can see an example of a Black Robe (Mekatewikwanaie) which is the name for a Catholic Priest in Ojibwe and something Father Baraga would have wore at that time.
Press Release
Jay Gabler from the Duluth News Tribune created a written article, podcast and a video about Father Baraga and Father Baraga's Cross. Above you can see me pointing to Madeline Island as I tell the story about Father Baraga which can be heard in this press release. Len from the Bishop Baraga Association, and Curtis Chambers who is Anishinaabe (Ojibwe) and who works on the BBA's advisory board did an amazing job contributing to this incredible article as well.
The video was done in excellence as Jay does an aerial view of Father Baraga's Cross and Lake Superior and as I share the story of how Father Baraga's Cross came to be. Jay Gabler shares in the podcast Father Baraga's path to Sainthood and the celebration that Minnesota's would have if he became a Saint. The written article bridges everyone's voice together as we share about Father Baraga himself. Please click on the link below to be able to article, the podcast and video combined in this edition of Northlandia.
To learn more about Father Baraga's Cross and Father Baraga's travels there in the year 1846 please click on the link below. On this page you can also read the story about Father Baraga's Cross as told by Johann Kohl, who trekked with Father Baraga in the year 1855 to learn about the Ojibwe. Johann Kohl ended up writing the book called Kitchi Gami which is the name for Lake Superior in Ojibwe which shares of his experiences with the Ojibwe and with Father Baraga.
As mentioned in the above mentioned Press Release it was stated that after research on Father Baraga and the Ojibwe histories I cannot find any evidence for or against an epidemic in the Grand Portage region in 1846. When I learned this I then had to ask myself the question, 'Why then would Father Baraga take such a perilous journey?". After extensive research on Father Baraga and the Ojibwe histories I knew that I needed to share the story of what happened in that year of 1846 and what I have learned.
I knew though that this story could not be shared this through my website in written form as it would limit what could be shared. Instead they needed to be told. In these videos I will be taking the viewer step-by-step through the Ojibwe histories and Father Baraga's histories including the importance of Lake Superior to the Ojibwe, the Jesuit connections with the Ojibwe, Father Baraga's arrival and what transpired during his work with them in the 1800's. They then will also learn about what transpired in that year of 1846 with Father Baraga, the years afterwards and his care and concern for them as their missionary. What he did for the Ojibwe is beyond incredible and the Ojibwe's triumph during this time is equally breathtaking.
I will be adding the new videos that are created to this newsletter as they become available. To see a preview of this channel, click the link below.
A children's book of the great missionary Bishop Frederic Baraga. This is an amazing story of a young man who gave up everything to come to undeveloped America to teach the First Nations and others about the Catholic Faith. He lived amongst them for the remaining 38 years of his life. He even took on the appearance of the First Nation people.
This book was originally written in Slovenian in 2005 by Andraž Arko OFM. Illustrated by Urša Skoberne. It was translated into English in January 2023 by Dennis Cohil.
Words above are from the description in the Bishop Baraga Association website.from
Another Bishop Baraga Bulletin has been issued as well. With gratitude Len has allowed for me to write in this one as well. In this Bulletin I was able to write an article about the experience the Ojibwe might have had in reading their language for the first time. You will also find information regarding the upcoming Baraga Days, an article by Lawrence T Martin who is the director of American Indian Studies about Father Baraga's hymns and his other literary work.
The Bishop Baraga Days event is coming up in September!! After Father Baraga became Bishop he was sent to Sault Ste. Marie to help and establish his missionary work. The Bishop Baraga Association has lined up many opportunities to be able learn more about this incredible missionary. Please click on the link below to be able to learn more about this event.
The St. Kateri Conference is also coming to St. Paul and will be held from July 19-23. St. Kateri was the first Native Saint to be canonized in the Catholic Church and has inspired First Nations people across Turtle Island (North America). The St. Kateri conference will be focused on gathering for healing through Living Waters. All are welcomed to attend who are Native or who have a connection to the Native populations as can be read on the page. At this conference one also has the ability to learn more about the Indigenous cultures as well as they celebrate their faith and culture.
Since my last newsletter Pope Francis has created an official declaration repudiating the Doctrine of Discovery. As a result I have created another page on my website. I also created a link so that the reader can see the original Doctrine of Discovery and see the translated text in English to read about what it originally stated. As Pope Francis stated, the Doctrine of Discovery has opened gateways for those in government positions to create challenges for the Native populations since it was first created which was right after the time that Christopher Columbus 'discovered' America. Pope Francis's repudiation of this then has so much meaning for the Native Populations. Click the link below to learn more about the Doctrine of Discovery.
Learn about why I personally believe that Father Baraga is a Saint. After extensive research I feel as though I have grown to know and love this man which would be a common understanding for all who do research him. These attributes so described in this page are my personal reflection of why I believe that he is a "Kitchitwa" or Saint although many would find attributes of their own in learning of him.
In order to be declared a Saint in the Catholic Faith one has to go through an intensive process that is called Canonization. I have put together a page, based entirely off of the information obtained from the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops, to help others understand this process and some of the vocabulary involved. Below is the link that can help one understand this process.
Father Baraga has of course had his own journey on his path to Sainthood. Obtained from the Bishop Baraga Association website, this page describes the process that Father Baraga has gone through in order to be called a Saint. There is also a linked video of Len herself from the Bishop Baraga Association describing this process as well.
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