HIST 207 Essay

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HIST 207 Essay: A Critique of Francis Parkman’s Writings on his Experience with the Wendat People Michael McCue 20173690 HIST 207: Global Indigenous Histories 14 Feb 2024

1 Introduction The Jesuits in North America by Francis Parkman provides a historical account of the Jesuit Missionaries and their efforts to convert Native American tribes to Christianity in the 17 th Century. His works on the Wendat (otherwise called the Huron) record the difficulties faced by the Jesuits as they endeavour to spread their religion and explore the intricacies of social contrasts and language hindrances. In his writings, Parkman stresses the importance of both the conversion and later the formation of defence against hostile tribes unwilling to convert. 1 The Jesuit Relations are firsthand reports of said missionaries sent back to the Kingdom of France. It is a valuable primary source that provides a firsthand experience into the social, cultural and religious differences faced in the interactions between the missionaries and the Wendat. 2 Parkman’s writings draw heavily on this collection of writings, and he offers his interpretation and analysis of the Jesuit’s experiences. His commentary, however, is shaped by biases and viewpoints of the 19 th century, which would prioritize a European viewpoint and not a Wendat/Huron one. This essay will critique Parkman’s writings and will attempt to analyze from an unbiased viewpoint, given our understanding of Indigenous historiography in North America today. Similarities and Differences in Portrayal of Jesuit Interactions/Conversion In his writings, it is obvious Parkman writes from a biased perspective. It is evident through both the viewpoints of the average American during the period (American Manifest Destiny) as well

2 as his interpretation and view of the “noble savage” stereotype perpetrated on Natives at the time. 3 He views the missionaries and their efforts as heroic and noble, especially in how they attempt to overcome linguistic and cultural barriers to bring salvation to the “savages”. 4 With hindsight, it is obvious that his portrayal and worldview is shaped by both Eurocentric perspectives as well as his own experiences living with the Sioux Tribe. This varies from The Jesuit Relations, which highlight the resistance and skepticism from the Wendat People, as well as their hesitation to abandon their cultural and religious beliefs and convert to this foreign religion. Compared to Parkman’s writings, Carson acknowledges the bias and limitations of the accounts of the Jesuits. He recognizes that a Eurocentric viewpoint takes priority, and he highlights how there might have been a power dynamic in these interactions as well. 5 In more modern writings such as Dispersed but Not Destroyed, this viewpoint is reinforced as she explores how the Wendat were affected by these cultural exchanges, as well as their resistance and skepticism. 6 Her portrayal of the Jesuit-Wendat interactions is more in line with the firsthand experiences highlighted in The Jesuit Relations. In summary, Parkman provides a romanticized and Eurocentric view while Labelle and Brébeuf offer a more diverse perspective that highlights the different challenges and conflicts that arose from these interactions. From an outsider’s perspective, both historians have their own biases and motivations. Carson provides a more critical approach in contrast to Parkman’s romanticized one. Methodology and Positionality of Each Author Francis Parkman wrote his interpretations in the 19 th Century, a period in which Eurocentric views on the Jesuit missions were romanticized. Though he used primary sources, it is evident

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