Missionaries Mr. Rosse

Big Ideas Europeans believed the First Nations People were savages. The missionaries were sent to convert the First Nations People. Created tension between First Nations People and Europeans.

Picture Activity Each group (2-3 students) will be responsible to analyze one picture You will be given a large piece of paper to write your answers down The Questions are: How are the Europeans represented in the picture? How are the First Nations People represented in the picture? What does this tell us about the relationship between First Nations People and Europeans? Make sure you provide evidence for your answer!

You will present you findings in front of the class! I will put up your picture for the rest of the class to see when you are presenting. You will have 30 minutes to prepare!

Why would the French want missionaries involved with the First Nations People?

Role of the Missionaries The French government believed that missionaries were important. They were needed to change and “civilize” Aboriginal peoples.

French missionaries first began to move among and live in Aboriginal communities around 1615. For many Aboriginal people, missionaries were their first contact with Europeans.

These early missionaries were not well liked. They were not particularly effective in converting Aboriginal people to Christianity. Aboriginal conversion was central to European interests in the fur trade.

Jesuit Missionaries Began arriving in great numbers around 1635. During this period Aboriginal communities were infected with many epidemics. Epidemics: Diseases

These diseases were almost certainly brought by these missionaries. The First Nations People did not always agree the missionaries.

Think-Pair-Share Why would the First Nations People deal with the missionaries?

Their dependence on European trade goods. They want to keep a strong military alliance with the Europeans.