Father Damien Character Analysis in Tracks

The Catholic priest who attempts to help the tribes people navigate their relationships with the Agent. He is an understanding figure who tries to help the Nanapush, Kashpaws, and Pillagers understand the threats they face, helps them attain rations when absolutely necessary, and brings a western doctor when Lulu is frostbitten. He is a good friend of Nanapush, despite Nanapush’s skepticism about the church.

Father Damien Character Timeline in Tracks

The timeline below shows where the character Father Damien appears in Tracks. The colored dots and icons indicate which themes are associated with that appearance.

Father Damien , a young new priest, appears at their door one day to say that Fleur’s... (full context)

The Importance of Nature in Indigenous Life Theme Icon

...power each time the government uses it, and so he refuses to give it to Father Damien and the Agent. A Captain comes to deliver a ration payout for the first treaty,... (full context)

Father Damien appears the next day to secretly baptize the child, but Fleur hears what’s happening and... (full context)

...the differing opinions about money and settlements. Nanapush, Margaret, and Lulu go to church, where Father Damien is happy to finally see Nanapush. At church Nanapush thinks about how he is more... (full context)

Father Damien asks if Nanapush and Margaret will marry, and Nanapush tries to shock him by saying... (full context)

Pauline sees herself out, saying she’ll send Father Damien and Bernadette. Margaret, holding a knife, spits on Pauline’s shoes and then her veil, and... (full context)

Father Damien arrives with the off-reservation doctor, and with butter to spread on Lulu’s frostbitten skin. The... (full context)

Margaret volunteers to go and leaves the cabin for town. She returns with Father Damien , who has a pack of provisions for the family. Nanapush greets the priest, and... (full context)

Nanapush tells Father Damien that the government can’t tax their parcels of land because they are in trust, but... (full context)

Father Damien visits to tell how he stumbled upon a naked, dead baby in the snow, and... (full context)

...just after the deadline. All of the family contributes every cent they have, and then Father Damien adds the last necessary quarter. They have just enough for both the Pillager and Kashpaw... (full context)

People gather on shore, including the women from the convent. Father Damien launches a canoe onto the water, but the water carries him back to shore. Pauline... (full context)