The document provides an overview of the Jesuit Relations, which were annual publications by Jesuit missionaries describing their encounters with indigenous peoples in North America. It discusses their interactions with the Montagnais, Huron, and Iroquois tribes, including descriptions of their customs, beliefs, languages, and the Jesuits' efforts to convert them to Christianity. It also touches on how diseases spread differently among the tribes and the Jesuits' focus on medical isolation versus indigenous practices.

1. The Jesuit Relations Nadya Dooley 12/13/10

2. Introduction The Society of Jesus was established in 1534 The Jesuits, who were members of this order, took vows of poverty and obedience Instead of taking refuge from profane influences by retreating, they went out to conquer the secular world

3. Introduction Every Jesuit was a college teacher some time in his career From the start, missions abroad to convert the “heretics” and “heathens” were the Jesuits plans The Jesuits published annual Relations for their audiences

4. Chapter 1- Montagnais Hunters of the Northern Woodlands The first published Jesuit Relations were written by Father Paul Le Jeune The Algonquin-Montagnais interested the Jesuits because they believed that all things possessed living spirits This is known as “animism” Father Paul Le Jeune

5. Chapter 1- Montagnais Hunters of the Northern Woodlands Paul Le Jeune journalized his encounters with the Montagnais Indians He learned that they were very attached to each other and cooperative. They wouldn’t quarrel They believed that a being called Atahocam created the world The Indians would not harshly punish their children

6. Chapter 2- Jean de Brébeuf on the Hurons The Hurons are the best documented native North Americans Huron means “rough hair” Jean de Brébeuf wrote about the language of the Hurons: the greater part of their words was composed of vowels. All their words were universally conjugated. They had different verbs for living things and inanimate objects.

7. Chapter 2- Jean de Bréfeuf on the Hurons The Hurons had many myths about their past They said “Behold, the falling star” if someone is fat and prosperous. They believed that once upon a time a star fell from the sky in the form of a fat goose… The seasons would determine what the Hurons would do: in the warm seasons they would farm, and in the cold seasons, they would hunt

8. Chapter 3- Disease and medicine The Jesuits of France knew nothing of germs, viruses and immunity. They focused on why diseases spread, not how Many Huron medical procedures involved the mind as well as the body They also thought that dances and some games could cure sickness

9. Chapter 3- Disease and Medicine Sickness was easily spread through the Huron tribes because their custom called that the sick would be the center of attention The Jesuits did the opposite and isolated their sick The Hurons blamed the Jesuits for the outbreak of smallpox

10. Chapter 6- Missions to the Iroquois Converting the Iroquois was a big ambition of the Jesuits The Jesuits worked among the Five Nations of the Iroquois League until 1684 The Mowhawks were the largest amount of converts and were known as the “mission indians”

11. Chatper 6- Missions to the Iroquois The non catholic Iroquois went to pursue life away from the influence of the Society of Jesus The Iroquois converts of Canada developed their own way fo life as allies of the king for France and autonomous desidents of the St. Lawrence Valley