Native American Ministries
Northwest Jesuits currently work with Native American people on reservations in many parts of the Northwest and the Yup'ik and Cup'ik populations of the Yukon-Kuskokwim Delta in Alaska.
The Jesuit role in Pacific Northwest history began in 1831, when the survivors of a band of Salish (Flathead) natives from Montana arrived in St. Louis seeking "black robes" to minister to their people.
Responding to an invitation by the Salish people (Flatheads) of the Columbia Plateau, Peter De Smet was the first Jesuit to travel into the Pacific Northwest in 1840. De Smet was joined by five Jesuit companions in 1841 and established St. Mary’s Mission near present day Missoula, Montana. Starting from this early mission, the Oregon Province continues to serve and works alongside native peoples on reservations and in urban environments.
Jesuits of the Oregon Province currently serve the Native American at the following  Missions/Parishes:
Idaho:
- DeSmet - Sacred Heart Mission
Montana:
- Hays - St. Paul Mission
- Heart Butte - St. Anne Mission
- St. Ignatius - St. Ignatius Mission
Oregon:
- Pendleton - St. Andew Mission
Washington:
- Ford - St. Philip Benizi
- Inchelium - St. Michael Mission
- Omak - St. Mary Mission
- LaConner - Swinomish Spirituality Center
- Wellpinit - Sacred Heart Mission
- West End - Our Lady of Lourdes
In addition to these missions, The Kateri Northwest Ministry Institute trains native peoples for leadership roles in the Church and their communities throughout the region.
Yukon-Kuskokwin Delta in Alaska
In 1886, Jesuits moved into Alaska, serving the present day Dioceses of Anchorage and Fairbanks. Jesuits work primary with the Yup’ik and Cup’ik peoples of the Yukon-Kuskokwim Delta at the following villages:
- Bethel - Immaculate Concept Church
- Chefornak - St. Catherine Church
- Chevak - Sacred Heart Church
- Emmonak - Sacred Heart Church
- Hooper Bay - Little Flower Church
- Kotlik - St. Joseph Church
- Church Newtok - Holy Family Church
- Nightmute - Our Lady of Perpetual Help Church
- Scammon Bay - Blessed Sacrament Church
- Toksook Bay - St. Peter the Fisherman Church
- Tununak - St. Joseph 's Church
Centered at St. Mary’s, Jesuits also direct the Rural Native Deacon Training Program for the Fairbanks diocese. This program trains lay men to serve the unique needs of the Catholic Church in their native villages. Alaskans are also served by the Holy Spirit Center in Anchorage with retreats, spiritual direction and lay leadership.
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