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This image is based on a story recounted in the writings of an Oblate Father who taught at St. Mary’s residential school in the 1860s. Following are the words of Father Gendre describing the 1864 school field trip.
Before sending my dear children off on vacation I had them go for a long walk on the mountain known as “The Devil’s.” Tradition maintained that whosoever should challenge that fearsome mountain would pay for his foolhardiness with his life. All of the Savages sought to frighten me with ever more sombre and dramatic tales. Thus, my students, who are as superstitious as their fathers, trembled in fear when I proposed we climb the mountain.
… Nearly every day for three months, I attacked their ridiculous superstition and gradually, they grew accustomed to the idea of attempting this endeavour, which could not possibly present any danger, with me. I succeeded in conquering their hereditary superstition. Towards the evening of the 31st of May, we all set off in canoes, with the necessary provisions and we camped that night at the foot of the dreaded mountain on the shores of a magnificent lake. Early the following day, after prayers, we ascended the slope and towards noon we arrived, without a single mishap, at the summit, where none had ever stood before. There, we sang out our triumph and our victory.
I was pleased to show these children to what extent their traditions were lies and that only the priest could speak the truth, which he receives from the Great Chief from above.
- From Keith Thor Carlson’s book, The Power of Place, The Problem of Time: Aboriginal Identity and Historical Consciousness in the Cauldron of Colonialism.
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