In last month’s “history highlight”, (Wednesday July 5), Sr. M. de la St Trinité Goutelle, gave us a sense of the trip of the second group of four Sisters sent from France to Canada. These Sisters were to take up a second foundation in Canada – this one at Lac Croche.
Today’s account, written by the parish priest Theophile Campeau OMI, takes up the story with the four Sisters travelling in December 1898, from Broadview to Lac Croche by sleigh.1
On Wednesday September 6, we will have Part III.
Long before the arrival of the Sisters there was great bustle and commotion among our Indians. They were preparing to take an active part in the solemn reception that was being organized. The decoration of the sleighs with flags, the arranging of ribbons and streamers, the adjusting of plumes on the harnesses, and the ornamentation of the Mission, and of the road that lead there, to all that contributed to stir up our good Christians and to arouse their enthusiasm.
At long last the awaited day had come … We are off, the Sleigh Bells begin their joyful chimes. “Wah! Geget ouijishin!” (That’s beautiful). About 6 miles from the Indian agent’s residence, two sleighs decorated with flags and sleigh bells, come to meet us. Those who manned the sleighs spoke up:
“we come dear sisters, to welcome you in the name of the Chief, and all the Catholics; our greetings are accompanied by sentiments of high esteem, and deep gratitude. Hurrah for our Father! Hurrah for our good Sisters!”
Joyfully we continued on our journey, with the sleighs that had come to meet us leading the way. In the distance, we noticed the Union Jack fluttering from the flag pole, high up on the residence of the Indian agent, Mr. Wright. There, more than 100 Indians were anxiously waiting for us. On our arrival, the Indian chief raised his hand, and all exclaimed;
“Migwetch, litchi migwetch! Hi! Hi! Hi! Litchi jawendagosimin.” (thank you, thank you very much! We are highly privileged.)
At this moment a tremendous volley of musket fire greeted the newly arrived sisters, who gave a hearty handshake to all. Many (others) had joined our Catholics in welcoming our good sisters.
The Indian agent, even though he was a protestant, was very gracious to us. On his invitation, we entered his home, and therein the sisters, received the most cordial hospitality. After a tasty meal, we set out again on our way to the Mission of the Sacred Heart of Mary at Crooked Lake.
As we were leaving the agency yard, the Indians, on orders from their chief, honoured us with numerous salvos from their muskets. More than 40 sleighs, all decorated with flags in various sizes preceded us. As we went along the Indian sang in gusto, the “Ave Maris Stella” in Cree: “Kitatamisktatin Jesus wekamish”. All along the way, one could hear musket shots, frequent applause, and repeated exclamations of joy.
On our arrival, flags – Canadian, French, Irish, etc. were hoisted on the church and surrounding buildings at the Mission. Bells were ringing, thus echoing far and wide, the happy notes of rejoicing; the Indians in the Michi were singing vigourously in the muskets were discharged continuously. Unrestrained enthusiasm was evident everywhere.
We entered the little church to salute and thank the Supreme Master of the Mission. An Indian, Ikwepanik by name, rose and welcomed the Sisters in the following terms:
My kinswoman, my good sisters, I have been chosen by my fellows to let you know how our hearts are filled with happiness today. Yes, in the name of the aged, in the name of our youth, and even in the name of our young children, I say to you, “thank you, thank you very much!” For quite a long time have we been expecting you and today our joy is great indeed – immense! The good God loves us. Now it will no longer be dark on our reserve. Light has arrived among us. We have with us two priests and four sisters. Everyone of us thanks you good sisters, for coming so far to work among us. Already we esteem you and we love you very much. Willingly shall we entrust our children to you so that you may give them the great and beautiful things that the Great Spirit has implanted in your heads. Again I say “Migwetch! Litchi Migwetch”. (Thank you. Thank you very much!).
And sister superior replied briefly as follows:
I thank you from the bottom of my heart for your kind words, and for all that you have done for us today. This magnificent reception that you are making for us shows us that you are good Catholics. You love the good God, you cherish your priests and your care greatly for us, your sisters. Rest, assured, that we, too, love you very much. We came here to do good among you. We are here … at your service. Lovingly shall we give your children, schooling, education, and all necessary care. Finally, you are our relatives, our best friends! We thank you once more for having showing by this wonderful reception, your respect and your esteem for us.
We will continue this account on the next ‘first-Wednesday-history’ on September 6.
Veronica Dunne is a Sister of our Lady of the Missions (RNDM), who has primarily worked as an educator and counsellor in institutional and community based settings in Canada. She has also served with the RNDMs outside of Canada in Senegal, Peru, and Aotearoa New Zealand.
A 2002 Doctor of Ministry graduate from the University of St. Michael’s College, Toronto School of Theology at the University of Toronto, she subsequently served as director of the Doctor of Ministry program at St. Stephen’s College at the University of Alberta in Edmonton. Her current research interests are in eco-theology and cosmology, and their intersections with indigenous cosmologies and spiritualties.
She presently serves on the RNDM leadership team in Canada.
