Moravian Missions and Labrador Inuit Designated as a National Historic Event

The Historic Sites and Monument Board of Canada is designating the Moravian Missions and Inuit in Labrador as a National Historic Event.

A Moravian missionary by the name of John Christian Erhardt was part of a group of missionaries who landed at Ford’s Bight, near Makkovik, in the 1750’s.

The name may sound familiar to you because that’s who the Makkovik school takes its name from.

Erhardt and six others were never heard from again.

It is believed they were killed by the Inuit in the area.

This was later confirmed by another missionary by the name of Jens Haven.

Jens Haven is, of course, where the school in Nain gets its name.

He was also the Missionary who helped establish the Moravian Church in Nain in 1771.

Haven came to Labrador in search of Erhardt and, through Inuit knowledge and stories, he was shown an island where Erhardt and six others might have been buried.

There are plans for a plaque unveiling ceremony at Ford’s Bight in the future.

Hans Rohlmann is a Professor of Theology at the Memorial University of Newfoundland.

We contacted Rohlmann to share the story of Erhardt and the other missionaries.

Stay tuned to AtjiKangitut to hear that story.

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