St. Mary's Mission

The Genesis of Settlement: St. Mary's Mission and the Dawn of European Presence in Montana

For centuries, the vast and varied landscape that would become Montana was the exclusive domain of its indigenous inhabitants, a tapestry of distinct tribes each with their own rich histories and traditions. The arrival of Europeans in North America gradually pushed westward, driven by the allure of trade, exploration, and expansion. While fleeting encounters and commercial outposts marked the initial European presence in the region, the establishment of St. Mary's Mission in 1841 stands as a pivotal moment, representing the first permanent European settlement within the boundaries of present-day Montana. This endeavor, born from the intertwined desires of the Salish people and Jesuit missionaries, marked a significant shift from temporary ventures to a sustained presence that would irrevocably alter the course of Montana's history.   

Prior to 1841, European engagement with Montana was largely characterized by the fur trade. The early 19th century witnessed the rise of powerful fur companies, such as the Missouri Fur Company, which sought to capitalize on the abundance of beaver pelts in the region (Wikipedia, "List of fur trading posts in Montana"). Figures like Manuel Lisa established trading posts, including Fort Raymond (also known as Fort Manuel Lisa) at the confluence of the Yellowstone and Bighorn Rivers in 1807 (Britannica Kids, "Manuel Lisa"). These posts served as vital nodes for commerce, where European goods were exchanged for furs trapped by Native Americans. However, these establishments were primarily economic ventures, often temporary and focused solely on the extraction of resources. They did not represent the establishment of permanent, self-sustaining communities in the same way that St. Mary's Mission would. The personnel at these posts were typically transient, and the structures themselves were often designed for trade and defense rather than long-term habitation for a diverse population (MT Memory, "Early Montana Trading Posts, Dry Goods Stores, and Mercantiles").   

The genesis of St. Mary's Mission lay in the remarkable initiative of the Salish people, also known as the Flathead tribe. Through interactions with Iroquois who had ventured west with fur trading expeditions, the Salish learned about Christianity and the "black robes" – the Jesuit missionaries – who were known for their work with indigenous populations, teaching about agriculture, medicine, and religion (Wikipedia, "History of Montana"). Beginning around 1812 and continuing through the 1830s, the Salish expressed a strong desire to have these missionaries come to their territory in the Bitterroot Valley (CSKT, "Missionaries"). Their motivations were complex, likely encompassing spiritual curiosity, a desire for access to new knowledge and resources, and perhaps a strategic understanding of the changing dynamics brought about by European presence.   

Driven by this persistent request, the Salish sent delegations eastward to St. Louis on multiple occasions in the 1830s to seek out Jesuit missionaries. These journeys were arduous and fraught with peril, highlighting the depth of their commitment. Finally, in 1839, a group of Iroquois and Salish encountered Father Pierre-Jean De Smet in Council Bluffs, Iowa (Wikipedia, "History of Montana"). This meeting proved fruitful, and in 1840, Father De Smet, accompanied by other Jesuit priests and lay brothers, embarked on the journey westward to establish a mission among the Salish.   

In the autumn of 1841, they arrived at the principal winter camp of the Salish, located near present-day Stevensville in the Bitterroot Valley. Here, they established the mission, naming it St. Mary's (Wikipedia, "St. Mary's Mission (Montana)"). Unlike the earlier fur trading posts, St. Mary's was conceived as a permanent endeavor, intended not just for trade but as a center for religious instruction, education, and the introduction of European agricultural practices. The mission was designed to be an ongoing village for the Catholic Salish, fostering a settled community (Wikipedia, "St. Mary's Mission (Montana)").   

Life at St. Mary's was a complex interplay of cultures and beliefs. The Jesuits sought to introduce Catholicism and European ways of life to the Salish, while also learning from and adapting to the existing Salish culture and environment. The mission became a hub of activity, with the construction of buildings, the establishment of agricultural fields, and the daily routines of religious services and education. It represented a significant departure from the transient nature of the fur trade, marking the implantation of a European-style community in the heart of Montana (WorldAtlas, "11 Oldest Founded Towns to Visit in Montana").   

The establishment of St. Mary's Mission held profound significance for the future of Montana. It marked the beginning of sustained European settlement, paving the way for further immigration and the eventual transformation of the territory. While the mission's primary goal was religious conversion and cultural change, its presence also had economic and social ramifications. It attracted other non-indigenous individuals to the area, contributing to the gradual erosion of the traditional way of life for the Salish and other native tribes.   

However, the history of St. Mary's is also a testament to the resilience and agency of the Salish people. They were not passive recipients of European influence but actively sought out the missionaries and engaged with them on their own terms. The mission itself was located at their principal winter camp, indicating a degree of control and negotiation in the initial stages.   

In conclusion, while European fur traders had traversed and established temporary posts within Montana prior to 1841, the founding of St. Mary's Mission stands as the true genesis of permanent European settlement in the region. Driven by the Salish people's desire for religious instruction and the Jesuit missionaries' zeal to spread their faith, the mission in the Bitterroot Valley represented a fundamental shift from transient commercial activities to the establishment of a lasting community. This marked the beginning of a new era in Montana's history, one characterized by increasing European presence and the complex interactions between indigenous peoples and newcomers that would shape the state's future.   

Sources

Britannica Kids. "Manuel Lisa." Students, https://kids.britannica.com/students/article/Manuel-Lisa/315238.

Confederated Salish and Kootenai Tribes (CSKT). "Missionaries." Division of Fish, Wildlife, Recreation, & Conservation, https://fwrconline.csktnrd.org/Fire/FireOnTheLand/History/19thCentury/Missionaries/.

MT Memory. "Early Montana Trading Posts, Dry Goods Stores, and Mercantiles." https://www.mtmemory.org/nodes/view/115977.

Wikipedia. "History of Montana." https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/History_of_Montana.

Wikipedia. "List of fur trading posts in Montana." https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_fur_trading_posts_in_Montana.

Wikipedia. "St. Mary's Mission (Montana)." https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/St.Mary%27s_Mission(Montana).

WorldAtlas. "11 Oldest Founded Towns to Visit in Montana." https://www.worldatlas.com/cities/11-oldest-founded-towns-to-visit-in-montana.html.