In the Shadow of the Steel Cross

French Jesuit missionary, Father Sebastien Rale S.J. (1657-1724) arrived in Quebec, Canada. He quickly learned the native languages and started his dictionary for his school at his assignment in Maine among the Wabanaki people of the Norridgewock Tribe. He constructed a Church and the first school at the tribal home near the Kennebec River. The people quickly learned English and were able to read and understand the English way of handling treaties. More of their land was being taken for the natural forests, trees, wildlife and seafood. Shipbuilding along the coasts produced ships for England. The Massachusetts Bay Colony wanted Father Rale out of their way, so attacks happened several times. With a bounty of silver on his head, Father Rale and his people were attacked by the English soldiers. During the final attack resulting in the death of many tribal families, Father Rale was massacred on August 23, 1724.