Jean-Pierre Aulneau facts for kids

Jean-Pierre Aulneau de la Touche (born April 21, 1705 – died June 8, 1736) was a Jesuit priest who traveled to New France (which is now Canada). He was a missionary, meaning he worked to spread the Christian faith. Sadly, he was killed before he could go on an important trip to meet the Mandan people.

Aulneau died near Fort St. Charles on Lake of the Woods. This area is now part of Ontario, Canada, and Minnesota, United States. He was killed while traveling with Jean Baptiste de La Vérendrye. Many people remember him as "Minnesota's Forgotten Martyr," a term for someone who dies for their beliefs.

A Young Jesuit's Start

Jean-Pierre Aulneau was born in France in 1705. His family lived in a large home called a chateau in a place called Moutiers-sur-le-Lay. When he was young, he went to a special school called a minor seminary in Luçon to study for the priesthood.

In 1720, he joined the Jesuits, a group of Catholic priests and brothers. He spent several years teaching in French cities like La Rochelle and Poitiers. After he became a priest, he sailed across the ocean to Canada in 1734.

Journey to New France

Aulneau's trip across the Atlantic Ocean on the ship Le Ruby was very rough. It was common for people on ships to get sick because they were so close together. He arrived in Quebec City on August 12, 1734.

After he got better, he stayed at the Jesuit College in Quebec. He studied hard and passed his final exams in early 1735. This meant he was ready for his important work as a missionary.

Working in the Northwest

In June 1735, Jean-Pierre Aulneau was given a special job as a chaplain. This meant he would provide spiritual guidance. He was sent to Fort St. Charles, which was very far west in North America. The Native Americans often called missionaries "Black Robes" because of their clothing.

He traveled through the Great Lakes with Pierre Gaultier de Varennes, sieur de La Vérendrye. La Vérendrye was in charge of the western region. At that time, Aulneau was posted farther west than any other missionary. He wrote letters to his mother, sharing that he was a bit scared to be so far from other church support. He was supposed to join the local Assiniboine people and travel with them to the Mandan.

A Trip for Supplies

The next year, Aulneau, Jean Baptiste de La Vérendrye, and 19 French-Canadian travelers called voyageurs left Fort St. Charles. They were heading to Fort Michilimackinac to pick up supplies. These supplies were needed for a big trip to the Mandan people, who lived in what is now North and South Dakota.

This trip would also allow Aulneau to visit a confessional one last time before his long journey with the explorers. His letters showed he was very excited about his mission to the Mandans. He hoped to teach them about the Roman Catholic faith.

A Tragic End

On their very first night out, just a few kilometers from Fort St. Charles, something terrible happened. All members of the group were killed by "Prairie Sioux" warriors. This happened on an island in Lake of the Woods on June 8, 1736.

It is believed the attack was revenge. The commander, La Vérendrye, had been giving guns to the Sioux's enemies, especially the Assiniboine and the Cree people. Because Aulneau died while trying to convert Native peoples to Christianity, the Catholic Church considers him a martyr.

What Happened Next

For a while, the Church stopped its plans for a mission to the Mandan people. There wasn't another priest as far west as Fort Michilimackinac. It wasn't until 1741 that a new priest, Claude-Godefroy Coquart, began his journey west to replace Aulneau.

Coquart spent some time at Fort St. Charles before joining the La Vérendrye family at Fort La Reine in 1743. Fort La Reine is now Portage la Prairie, Manitoba. Coquart was the first recorded missionary in what is now Manitoba. He was also the first to travel beyond Lake of the Woods.

Remembering Aulneau

In 1889, letters written by Aulneau to his family were found in France. They were published in English in 1893 as The Aulneau Collection. Students and teachers at St. Boniface College in Winnipeg read these letters. They were so inspired that they launched several trips to find the old fort sites.

By 1908, they had found the old fort and the likely spot of Massacre Island. Using Aulneau's letters and the oral tradition (stories passed down) of the Ojibwe people, a Jesuit team from Saint Boniface College located the site of Fort St. Charles. It was just inside the United States' waters.

They dug up and examined the remains of the martyred priest and his companions. Aulneau's remains were identified by a hook from his cassock (a priest's long robe) and his rosary (a string of beads used for prayer), which was found at his feet. The team moved the human remains and items found at Fort St. Charles across the border to St. Boniface College, where they are kept today.

In 1949, the Knights of Columbus, a Catholic organization, raised money. They bought the land where Fort St. Charles used to be and built a replica of the fort. They also created a shrine to honor Aulneau. The land is now owned by the Roman Catholic Diocese of Crookston, Minnesota, and it is a place where people go on pilgrimage (a special religious journey).