Volume 13 , Issue 50

The First Christmas - Iroquois Orphans - 1905

In the Indian Advocate, dated 1 December 1905, page 381, image 17 there is an article that mentions and is entitled, "Their First christmas," written by William OKeefe, A.O.S.B. The "Black Robe," as the indians called him traveling around through the wilderness visiting different Iroquois indian encampments along the basin of the great St. Lawrence.

The indians received him with calm and stolid indifference amounting almost to contempt. The Black Robe missionary persevered in his work, hoping that the dark breast of the savages would one day be opened to the truths of eternal life. The Black Robe missionary was making his rounds among the indians, inviting them to assemble for the celebration of Christmas, at a certain camp.

The main settlement of the Iroquois lay in a wooded valley and presented a wild, forbidding aspect. Among these Indians there were two orphans. One was a kind, sweet tempered girl about 12 years of age, whose name was Lily Flower; the other a youth just completing his sixteenth year, known as Red Deer. The two homeless ones had been adopted when very young, by Swift Eagle the chief had conceived a paternal love for the two children, but more especially for Lily Flower.

Ever since the death of his parents years before, Red Deer had concentrated all the eager affection of his soul upon his delicate little sister. He was very solicitous about her welfare, watching over her with the greatest care and protecting her from the least possible harm with a spirit of manly pride.

But Lily Flower was not the only one who held a place in Red Deer's heart. Often when roaming amongst the wild and picturesque scenes of his country, he would feel an inexplainable attraction towards the Great Spirit.

You can read the rest of the story at The First Christmas.   |  View or Add Comments (0 Comments)   |   Receive updates ( subscribers)  |   Unsubscribe

---