Module 3- Oppression and Freedom

Author: Kevin M. Smith

Oppression and Freedom

            One of the reoccurring themes, at least during the early contact period, presented to us in Peter Nabokov’s, Native American Testimony is the relentless pursue of Christian reform groups to evangelize Native Peoples throughout North America.  Nabokov presents several incidents in his chapter entitled “Bearers of the Cross”, where Natives are forced to join the religious practices of Christians from the denominations of Protestant, Catholic, Jesuit, Puritan, Mormon and Quaker. Each of these groups are proclaimed by the personal accounts of Natives Peoples to have forced their will upon the Natives and the need of a cultural and spiritual reformation.  Perhaps what is most ironic about this interaction is how the Native Peoples were ridiculed for their religious practices to the point of oppression when those proclaiming to be “Christians” often themselves were oppressed in their Native lands for practicing Christianity.   

            In an effort to better understand this phenomenon, I can only speculate that perhaps those forcing Christianity upon the Natives did so because they were born here and therefore themselves were never persecuted in Europe.  Or perhaps they were, adapting a mentality of “bullying”, similar to that of an abused child, who might later act out from resentment or in retaliation?  Regardless of the reasoning, as a current non-practicing Catholic myself,  and having an appreciation for many of the teachings of Jesus Christ.  I find it challenging to fathom that those referring to themselves as Christians, would force their religion upon others in such a violent and inappropriate manner, when Christ himself taught against such persecutions.  With that being said, I do believe that some Natives were not forced to join Christianity from such hostility, but were presented with a religion were individuals practiced magnamity with a genuine contrite spirit.  This spirituality and act of Christianity would have likely been far more enticing to Natives, as a religion which could replace their own or be freely mingled with traditional beliefs.

            Although oppression and persecution continues today across the world, the majority of Natives from a non-native local perspective are able to express freely their spiritual practices.

Suggested Reading:

 Nabokov, Peter.  1999.  "Native American Testimony".  Penguin Books.  USA.