Frozen Frontiers: Jesuit Evangelization and Colonial Adaptation in Alaska (1867-1919)
Abstract
This article examines Jesuit missions in Alaska (1867-1919) through a transnational lens that integrates religious history, colonial studies, and spatial anthropology. It highlights how adaptation to extreme conditions, gendered hierarchies, and the tension between charity and control shaped everyday missionary life. Drawing on archival and published sources, the study frames Alaska as a site of experimental Catholic evangelization, where material frequently superseded doctrinal priorities. It calls for further research in women’s and Indigenous sources to reassess missionary narratives within global Catholic contexts.
Presentato: 04 Luglio 2025 | Accettato: 03 Settembre 2025 | Pubblicato 27 Ottobre 2025 | Lingua: en
Keywords Alaska history • Catholic evangelization • Gender and religion • Indigenous relations • Jesuit missions
Copyright © 2025 Claudio Ferlan. This is an open-access work distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License (CC BY). The use, distribution or reproduction is permitted, provided that the original author(s) and the copyright owner(s) are credited and that the original publication is cited, in accordance with accepted academic practice. The license allows for commercial use. No use, distribution or reproduction is permitted which does not comply with these terms.
Permalink http://doi.org/10.30687/JoMaCC/2785-6046/2025/02/003