Ep. 2. 16: De Smet and the Indian Tragedy

This episode explores the unraveling of Father DeSmet’s vision for a Jesuit-style reduction among the Flathead tribe. Monsignor and Teresa discuss internal Jesuit criticism, especially from Father Rivoli, and the eventual abandonment of the mission. They reflect on the broader tragedy of Native American displacement, the collapse of peaceful alternatives, and the rise of federal militarization across the Great Plains. The episode concludes with the Fort Laramie Treaty of 1851, Father DeSmet’s growing influence, and the painful realization that even well-intentioned efforts could not stop the tide of injustice.