Enmegahbowh: The First Native American To Be Ordained an Episcopal Priest

Today the Episcopal Church remembers the first Native American to be ordained an Episcopal priest, Enmegahbowh (which means “The man who prays for his people while standing”), who was ordained in the mid-1800s.  Enmegahbowh was an Odawa from Canada who converted to Christianity from Midewiwin.  In 1851, the Rev. Dr. James Lloyd Breck began a mission among the Ojibwa of Minnesota. Enmegahbowh was a catechumen there and was baptized by Breck.

Enmegahbowh was ordained a deacon and went to Crow Wing, Minnesota to assist in a new mission there in 1858.  He took over the mission in 1861. With the Dakota War of 1862, the near-by Gull Lake Band of Mississippi Chippewa rose to attack near-by Fort Ripley. Enmegahbowh prevented some other bands from joining the Gull Lake Band; he, though, was made a prisoner, but succeeded in escaping. He made his way to Fort Ripley with timely information of the impending attack, and helped prevent the Gull Lake Band from attacking the fort. The Gull Lake, along with other Ojibwa, were subsequently removed to the environs of the Leech Lake Indian Reservation and then eventually to the White Earth Indian Reservation. Enmegahbowh followed his people there.

In March 1880, Enmegahbowh and Chief Fine-Day traveled across the eastern United States for three months in order to raise money for a new St. Columba Episcopal Church at White Earth. While in Ohio, the governor was so impressed with their speech that he had them address the Ohio state legislature. They raised $6000 for the project. After Chief Fine-Day died in 1883, Enmegahbowh referred to Fine-Day as “our noblest chief” and recommended that a stained glass window in the church be dedicated to him.

Enmegahbowh died at the White Earth Indian Reservation in northern Minnesota on this day in 1902 at the age of 95.

Let us pray:  Almighty God, you led your pilgrim people of old with fire and cloud; grant that the ministers of your church, following the example of blessed Enmegahbowh, may stand before your holy people, leading them with fiery zeal and gentle humility. This we ask through Jesus, the Christ, who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God now and forever. Amen.

CALENDAR REMINDERS

MEETING TUESDAY AT 7 P.M. for the Community Garden.

BISHOP’S COMMITTEE MEETS this Sunday after the Eucharist in Sutton Hall during the Fellowship Hour.

REMEMBER DAD!  This Sunday is Father’s Day.

SAFEGUARDING GOD'S CHILDREN- Saturday, 23 June at 10:00 A.M. Sutton Hall.

PLEASE REMEMBER EVERYONE ON OUR PRAYER LIST, and please remember those who will be ordained deacons this Saturday.

Your servant in Christ,

Fr. Chester J. Makowski+

St. Augustine of Hippo Episcopal Church

Galveston, Texas 77550