1961-05-01 Char-Koosta News

              Father Taelman Gives a Life of Service to Indians
By Walter W. McDonald
With great sincerity and reverence I dedicate this issue of Char-Koosta to Father Louis Taelman, S. J., who was yi years old Wednesday, April 19.
As editor of Char-Koosta I offer congratulations instead of an anniversary present to Father Taelman for his keen interest and spiritual guidance to the American Indians.
Father Taelman was born in Exarde, Belgium, April 19, 1867 on Good Friday, only a few miles from where Father Pierre DcSmet was born, another great missionary among the Indians of America. Father was graduated from St. Joseph's College, Belgium. One of Father's ambitions was to come to America and devote his time and services to the Indians of North America. His ambitions came true as over 60 years of his servioes f>ave been given to the Indian people. Father spent 15 years among the Crow Tribe at St. Xavier Mission on that reservation where he learned the Crow language and became very familiar with their culture. Father spent over 16 years among the Kalis-pells, Colveries and Spokanes where again he learned their different languages.
In the last days of Father's life we find the impressive career of well over 30 yean has been spent among the Flathcads. Even today Father is on hand as chaplain at the Holy Family Hospital, St. Ignatius.
Last Good Friday at the services Father was missing in taking part in the services, but he was not missing in the Church, he was there early. For many years at the Good Friday services, Father said the Stations of the Cross in the Indian language as well as preaching the sermon. After many years of service to the people, Father says, "My legs aren't as good as they used to be."
Father first saw our majestic mission in 1890 where Father Cataldo, S. J. admitted Father Taelman to the Rocky Mountain Mission. That same year Father .stalled teaching in the St. Ignatius seminary. At this mission he first became associated with the Indian people of this reservation. Father then moved to Spokane where he received the high honor of being appointed President of Conzaga University from 1909 to 1913. Even though he was off the reservation he never lost contact with the Indians. While at Gonzaga Father Taelman saw the need for a much broader college ruriculum. Therefore, he was instru-m.ntal in adding the law department to that college which today has an outstanding law bourse. Another one of Father's footprints is that he laid the corner *tone and gave the blessing to St. Aloy.sius Church, one of the largest churches in Spokane.
Last year another honor was bestowed opofl Father. Taelman Gardens was dedicated to Father. This landscaping »a» done from a donation of $25,000 to that sehool and Father made the trip 1.» Spokane to be present at the dedication c.rrmomes.   We do not have Tael-
Char-Koosta
PUBLISHED BY THE CONFEDERATED SALISH AND KOOTENAI TRIBES, FLATHEAD AGENCY, MONTANA Vol. 4 — No. 8 May - June, 1961
man Gardens on our reservation but we have our great friend at 94 years of age. Since the Indians of this tribe have seen great men of the priesthood come and
pass on, it with great respect to the Jesuits that we have found established the fundamental basis of education and faith on this reservation.