Nosse (Father) Baraga
(1797-1868)
Father Baraga was a Catholic Missionary who lived and worked with the Ojibwe Natives from 1831 to 1868 in the regions of Lake Superior and Lake Michigan. He became Bishop in the year of 1863. He was known for his zeal and compassion for the Ojibwe during a time when they were being pressured for removal, when the fur traders were working against them and when settlers were pressing in on their regions.
Father Baraga left a legacy of care and concern for all to follow. Confirming over 1,000 persons into the Catholic Faith he became known as the snowshoe priest due to his ability to travel hundreds of miles by snowshoe to be there for another when they were in need. Learn more about this incredible missionary below and the Ojibwe Natives whom he served.
The Hope of Pope Leo
An image of Pope Leo when he was in Peru on horseback. Reference: Lozada, K. (2025, May 10). Pope Leo, Peru and Me. The New York Times. https://www.nytimes.com/2025/05/10/opinion/pope-leo-peru.html
After Pope Francis passed, I was nervous. With Baraga's Sainthood on the forefront of my mind I wondered if anyone who would become Pope would be an advocate for the Native populations in the United States. I underestimated God. Welcome Pope Leo.
Pope Leo, formerly Robert Francis Prevost, was born and raised in Chicago, IL from 1955-1976. This is the land of the Potawatomi Natives who were removed from the region in the year of 1838. Father Baraga would have worked with the Potawatomi when he
served in Grand Rapids, nearly 150 miles from Pope Leo's birthplace. The Potawatomi, the Ottawa and the Ojibwe were all kin with each other and all spoke different dialects of the Algonquin language. The Ottawa would often travel to stay with the Potawatomi (the firekeepers) during the winter months. The Bishop Baraga Association was founded in the year 1930 which has me wonder if Pope Leo had known about Baraga prior to his work in Peru.
The proximity, however, is just a small portion of the connections between Baraga and Pope Leo. Pope Leo spoke some of the indigenous language of Quechuan due to his work with the indigenous of Peru just as Baraga spoke the Algonquin language of the Ojibwe and Ottawa. Pope Leo understood what it meant to be able to work with the indigenous by spending time in their huts and riding horseback when it was needed. Baraga would spend time with the Ojibwe and Ottawa in their wigwams, and wearing moccasins and snowshoes. Baraga propelled to becoming Bishop and Pope Leo did as well when others saw the successes that they had with the Indigenous populations. Baraga and Pope Leo had a focus on law in their educations. Pope Leo received his doctorate in Canon Law and bachelors degree in Mathematics, where Baraga received his degree in Law and went on the seminary and becoming a priest afterwards.
It is my prayer that Pope Leo has the ability to positively influence the Sainthood of Father Baraga. We are in need, in the United States, of a Saint who not only holds the standard, but also shows the path of care and compassion to those who are in need, those who have been oppressed, and specifically to the Native populations who have underwent some of the greatest harms our government has inflicted in order to gain their land at their expense. Father Baraga worked with the Natives during this time when the government created these incredible and almost insurmountable challenges. During Baraga's tenure and in peaceful resistance the Native populations ended up obtaining land in a region where they were supposed to be removed.
It is my prayer that Father Baraga continue his path towards Sainthood. It is also my prayer that the challenges of the boarding schools continue to be addressed. I am grateful for Father Baraga's example of what life could have been like had the church had continued on this path of having the indigenous populations retain their language, their culture and their connection to their families. I am grateful to the Ojibwe who continue to see the value of Christianity given these past histories and who continue to move forward in cultivating healing and forgiveness for these sins of the past. It is needed. This site will continue to address these needs as well to continue to cultivate the healing of humanity which is a central component of the gospel of Christ.
The Passing of Pope Francis
It is with the greatest amount of grief that we hear of the passing of Pope Francis. In 2019 at a Catholic School I worked at I was given the gift of visiting the chapel after my work hours. During one of those visits I brought in my Native pipe and prayed for the Saints including St. Francis Assisi and other saints to bless the pipe and try to find a way to reconcile the differences between the faiths of the Native populations and the Catholic Church. It was a prayer for healing of the boarding school histories and of greater compassion for Christians in general.
Then in the year 2022 Pope Francis allowed the Native pipe in the Vatican for prayers and went on the pilgrimage of penance for the Native populations. I cannot express the amount of gratitude that I had in witnessing this Pope showcase what it means to have Christian acceptance for other faiths and other religions.
Your life will always, always be remembered and cherished Pope Francis. We will never forget the extent you went through to show your care and concern for others around the world. It is with the greatest, greatest mourning that we witness your passing. Your faith in Christ and love of others will remain an example for others for generations to come.
All Children Matter
September 30 is the annual Orange Shirt Day which remembers the boarding school histories. The boarding school legacy began only one year after Father Baraga's passing. This orange shirt shows your support for Truth & Healing which speaks about how to share awareness and create healing for what transpired with the Native populations.
If Father Baraga were around during the time of the boarding schools he would have advocated on behalf of the Native populations to ensure their welfare. Feel free to wear orange today to show your support for the Native populations.
This picture was taken at Father Baraga's Cross in Schroeder, MN.
Popular Page
Plan Your Pilgrimage
The picture shows a rainbow behind Father Baraga's Cross located in Schroeder, MN which signifies hope for the future. This picture was taken by the author.
As of January of 2025 the plan your pilgrimage page has been completely updated! Please feel free to stop by to see the latest updates which include a description pop-up when you click on the site, new icons that show you the site type, and driving directions which can be found with a link on the upper right hand side of the pop-up description. It was all created to be able to have the plan your pilgrimage page become more user friendly on the mobile and desktop versions. Feel free to explore!
Research Guru
Father Baraga's Timeline
This is a page that I use as a reference often. This page shows the comparison between what was happening with Father Baraga and what was taking place with the Ojibwe on the right. It builds a context to his missions by seeing directly what the Ojibwe were going through during his missions and the milestones that he made along the way.
Popular Page
Books Written by Father Baraga
This picture is from the authors personal collection of Father Baraga's books
This popular page shows a list of Father Baraga's books that he wrote with the help of the Ojibwe. In addition to creating the number of missions that he created, Father Baraga wrote an extensive amount of books in addition to the largest Ojibwe dictionary ever written. Click on the link below to see these books, be taken to their original place where they were published and to learn about the books themselves.
Research Guru
The University of Notre Dame
This picture is of Notre Dame where many of Father Baraga's records are held.
This page is not for the faint of heart. This is a list obtained from the Notre Dame Archive which lists letters written to and from Father Baraga. If you are interested in obtaining any of these, an email can be written to the University of Notre Dame (email address is listed on this page) to find out what was happening with Father Baraga during this his time in the United States. Please click on the link below to learn more.
New Release
The People of Lake Superior
This picture is John Jacob Astor was painted by John Wesley.
This page is a list of well-known people that were present around the time of Baraga's work with the Ojibwe. As an example John Jacob Astor was the first multi-millionaire in the United States. He was the president of the American Fur Company which exploited many of the Native people. Father Baraga noted many times how the corrupt organization created unnecessary challenge for the Native people to which he was opposed. Learn about others who worked in the region by clicking on the link below.
New Release
About the Author
This picture is the Author at Father Baraga's Cross in the year 2022, two years after her initial visit.
Many may wonder why I do this work. What is my motivation? Many are surprised when they find out I was not raised Catholic and I am not Native. They wonder what reason would there be for me to create an entire website about a Catholic Priest named Father Baraga and his connection to the Ojibwe Natives? Learn about how much this work means to me and my reasons for pursuing it. You'll be surprised when you find out the incredible miracles behind this journey.