Bishop Frederic Baraga was the first bishop of Marquette. For 37 years, he was a missionary priest among the Indians and settlers in the Upper Great Lakes. His presence shaped the region, and he is revered for his defending Native American lands during treaty land acquisition by the U.S. Government.

Father Frederick Baraga, the Catholic missionary known as the “Snowshoe Priest.” In this episode, we explore Baraga’s 37-year mission across Michigan’s Upper Peninsula and his unwavering support of Indigenous communities. From his work documenting the Ojibwa language to his treks through harsh winters, Baraga’s legacy is one of cultural preservation, compassion, and resilience. His influence still echoes through churches, schools, and statues across the Great Lakes region. This is the story of a man who walked across frozen wilderness not just to preach but to protect.

A production of Thumbwind Publications