The Relationship Between The Jesuits And The Huron Indians

1013 Words3 Pages

Based on the movie, I felt that each group had their own distinct motives and beliefs, however until the end only the Jesuits and the Algonquin groups changed the most. In the beginning their relationship was based solely off job and reward, meaning that the Jesuits (Father Paul and Daniel’s) purpose was to convert as many natives that they can and travel to the Huron tribe. Whereas the Algonquin tribes’ goal was to receive the goods (Tobacco and other trinkets). As the two groups travel they eventually meet the Montagnais, who didn’t get a lot of screen time, but the shaman was introduced and throughout the movie he made it known that he thinks that Father Paul Is a demon. So, if I were to go off based on the shaman, I think that the Montagnais …show more content…

However, as the movie progresses it is shown that one of the main reasons that the Algonquin tribe is helping Father Paul and Daniel is because in return they’ll receive tobacco, which they made it clear is very valuable. One example, is when Father Paul was talking about tobacco with the chief and some of his men, stating that once they pass away into paradise “Heaven”, they will no longer need trivial things like such. By hearing this the Chief and his men looked confused, as to why would they ever want to give up on such things that they find valuable. Also, it should be noted that as more time was spent between the Algonquin and Jesuits, the Algonquin was starting to get uncomfortable and frequently thinking about leaving, mainly because of Father Paul and his activities. The natives believed that Father Paul was a demon, due to his new world knowledge and his actions related to his belief. Yet, the only reason that the natives accompanied Father Paul for so long was because of the trinkets that they’ll receive. Towards the end of the movie, the characters were kidnapped by the Iroquois tribe, which was a ruthless tribe that ended up killing and injuring most of the captured travelers. What makes this significant is the conversation that Iroquois chief and his subordinated where contemplating on trading the two Jesuits with Champlain in return for guns. So, with the bribery of goods and potential payment of weapons, the natives from both tribes where able to make decisions that where able to help them

Open Document