Alfred Dudoward facts for kids
Alfred Dudoward (born around 1850 – died November 15, 1914) was an important leader from the Tsimshian nation in Canada. He was a hereditary chief, meaning he inherited his leadership role through his family. Alfred Dudoward played a big part in starting a Methodist church and school in his community, which was then called Port Simpson (now known as Lax Kw'alaams), in British Columbia.
Alfred was a member of the Gitando tribe, one of the nine Tsimshian tribes living in Lax Kw'alaams. His mother was Elizabeth Lawson, who was also known by her traditional name Diiks. Alfred's father was Félix Dudoire, a French Canadian tailor who worked for the Hudson's Bay Company at Fort Simpson. This means Alfred had both Indigenous and European family roots. In 1887, when his uncle Paul Sgagweet passed away, Alfred inherited the important family name-title Sgagweet. This made him the chief of the Gitando tribe, following the Tsimshian custom where leadership often passed down through the mother's side of the family.
In 1871, Alfred Dudoward married Mary Catherine, who later became known as Kate Dudoward. Kate's mother was Tsimshian, and her father was a non-Native customs officer. Kate's mother had been traveling to become a chief in Lax Kw'alaams, but sadly passed away. So, Kate took on the role of chieftainship instead.
Alfred's mother, Elizabeth Diex, was very important in bringing Methodism to the Tsimshian people. She became a Christian in Victoria in 1873 during a large religious gathering for First Nations people. When Alfred arrived in a big war canoe to express his concerns about this, he soon decided to become a Christian too.
After returning home to Lax Kw'alaams, Kate and Alfred worked hard to organize religious lessons for their community. They also strongly encouraged the Methodist church to start a mission there. Because of their efforts, the mission was finally established in 1874, led by Reverend Thomas Crosby.
Over time, there were some disagreements between the traditional Tsimshian ways and the new Christian teachings. These conflicts sometimes caused Reverend Crosby to temporarily stop Alfred and Kate from being members of the church. Eventually, in 1895, the Dudowards decided to leave the Methodist church and joined the Salvation Army instead.
Alfred Dudoward did not have direct heirs through his mother's family line to inherit his chief's title. To make sure the Sgagweet family line continued, he adopted his own son and a niece into the House of Sgagweet. His son later inherited the name Sgagweet. The son then chose his niece's son to be the next successor, ensuring the family's leadership would continue.
One of Alfred Dudoward's children was the famous carver Charles Dudoward.
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