Enmegahbowh was an Odawa from Canada who converted to Christianity from Midewiwin. In 1851, James Lloyd Breck began a mission among the Ojibwa of Minnesota, and Enmegahbowh was a catechumen there. He was baptized by Breck, became a deacon, and went to Crow Wing, Minnesota, to assist in a new mission there in 1858. The Mille Lacs Chief Fine-Day was an early member of Enmegahbowh’s church in 1859.
He took over the mission in 1861. With the Dakota War of 1862, the near-by Gull Lake Band of Mississippi Chippewa rose to attack near-by Fort Ripley. Enmegahbowh prevented some other bands from joining the Gull Lake Band; he, though, was made a prisoner, but succeeded in escaping. He made his way to Fort Ripley with timely information of the impending attack, and helped prevent the Gull Lake Band from attacking the fort. The Gull Lake, along with other Ojibwa, were subsequently removed to the environs of the Leech Lake Indian Reservation and then eventually to the White Earth Indian Reservation. Enmegahbowh followed his people there.
In March 1880, Enmegahbowh and Chief Fine-Day traveled across the eastern United States for three months in order to raise money for a new St. Columba Episcopal Church at White Earth. While in Ohio, the governor was so impressed with their speech that he had them address the Ohio state legislature. They raised $6000 for the project. After Chief Fine-Day died in 1883, Enmegahbowh referred to Fine-Day as “our noblest chief” and recommended that a stained glass window in the church be dedicated to him.
Enmegahbowh died at the White Earth Indian Reservation in northern Minnesota on June 12, 1902 at the age of 95.
Click on Daily Prayer to offer a prayer for Blessed Enmegahbowh.
(From Wikipedia)