The Missionary for Equality:
The history of the European settlers and the Native Americans is mired with injustice, false promises, politics, betrayals and wars. The animosity between the settler community and the Native American tribes reached its peak during the 1800s.
Two words - bigotry and unfairness, best describe that century in American history. It was when the rights and dignity of the Native Americans were systematically stripped off, one policy at a time. But even then, when the chaos of racial conflict was reigning supreme, a strong voice for equality rose above the din, and that voice belonged to the bishop of Minnesota, Henry Benjamin Whipple.
Bishop Whipple, Mrs. Whipple, and Their Activism
Henry Benjamin Whipple (1822-1901) was elected as bishop of the Episcopal Diocese of Minnesota in 1859. He involved himself in many missionary sojourns in the state of Minnesota, especially in the rural areas.
He travelled across the state preaching from any pulpit, be it in a saloon or a store or a school or a cabin or in an Indian village.
After his first such travel, he became convinced that the Federal government's policies for the Native Americans are draconian and committed himself to the welfare of the Indian tribes against such unfair laws.
Resources:
WikipediaMNHS
whipples.org
