Brébeuf, Jean De (missionary at Teonché I)

Brébeuf, Jean De (missionary at Teonché I)

During his visit to Teonché I, Jean De Brébeuf attempted to convert many of the Huron residents to Christianity. His first attempt failed, although the attempt gave him information about their culture that would be helpful for the time that he returned to the area in a different location. When he did return to the area in 1634, he was much more successful in his conversion attempts than previously. A lot of factors affected the conversion rates, notably epidemics, cultural resistance, and his own bias about how he believed the Hurons were “Immoral”. This is likely what pushed his conversion attempts further.

1626-1629

Person

Teonché I; outside of Teonché I in Huron Country

René Latourelle, “BRÉBEUF, JEAN DE (Échon),” in Dictionary of Canadian Biography, vol. 1, University of Toronto/Université Laval, 2003–, accessed October 3, 2021, https://www.biographi.ca/en/bio/brebeuf_jean_de_1E.html.

1593

Condé-Sur-Vire, Normandy, France

1649

Saint-Ignace, Midland, Ontario, Canada

Jesuit teacher; priest; missionary; preacher/confessor; steward, minister, and confessor (at once)

French; Huron; Algonkins

Jean De Brébeuf was born in Condé-sur-Vire, Normandy, France on March 25th, 1593. He took up his position as a Jesuit early on, spending a few years teaching in a school for some time. He eventually became a priest in 1622, and held the position of steward at the college of Reuen for 3 years. In a mission selected by the main priest of France Father Pierre Coton, he began living amongst the Bear tribe in Toanché I. His work there involved an attempt at converting many of the Hurons, or to “evangelize” them, which was not successful. However, he gained a greater understanding of Huron culture and practices.

Conflict and Change in Early Canadian History (Carleton HIST 1301)

Sarah Landry