Why was Father Modeste Demers looked upon more favorably by Native Americans than many Protestant missionaries were?

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Catholic missionaries dressed in more casual ways and did not look like preachers.
Catholics did not believe Native Americans had to give up their culture.

Father Modeste Demers was looked upon more favorably by Native Americans for a few reasons. Firstly, Catholic missionaries like Father Demers dressed in more casual ways and did not have the formal, stern appearance of Protestant preachers. This helped to make them seem more approachable and relatable to the Native Americans they were trying to convert.

Additionally, Catholics did not generally believe that Native Americans needed to completely give up their culture in order to convert to Christianity. This attitude was in stark contrast to many Protestant missionaries who often viewed Native cultures as inferior and in need of complete eradication. Father Demers and other Catholic missionaries were more willing to work within the existing cultural frameworks of the Native Americans they encountered, which likely helped them to gain more trust and acceptance within those communities.

Why was Father Modeste Demers looked upon more favorably by Native Americans than many Protestant missionaries were?

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b.Catholic missionaries dressed in more casual ways and did not look like preachers.
a.Catholics did not believe Native Americans had to give up their culture.

Both of these reasons contributed to why Father Modeste Demers was looked upon more favorably by Native Americans than many Protestant missionaries. The more casual way in which Catholic missionaries dressed helped them appear more approachable and relatable, making it easier for them to connect with the Native Americans they were trying to convert. Additionally, the Catholic belief that Native Americans did not have to give up their culture in order to convert to Christianity likely resonated with many Native Americans who valued their cultural traditions. This more inclusive attitude likely helped Father Demers and other Catholic missionaries to build trust and positive relationships with Native communities.

What was "proving up"

"Proving up" is a term used in reference to the process of proving that a homesteader or land claimant has met all the requirements necessary to obtain full ownership of a piece of land granted to them under the Homestead Act. This process typically involved living on and improving the land, such as through cultivation or building structures, for a specified period of time. Once the homesteader could demonstrate that they had met the requirements, they could "prove up" their claim and receive the deed to the land.