OUR HISTORY II
Our Catholic Heritage
Before British Columbia became part of Canada
Long before Kelowna Appeared on any map
Came this Oblate Priest who "made" history
FATHER PANDOSY
With such famous names as Fraser, Thompson, Hearne, McKenzie and Ross, Father Pandosy played a great part in opening the Canadian West.
WHO WAS FATHER PANDOSY?
Father Charles John Felex Adolphe Marie Pandosy was the founder of the first settlement in the Okanagan Valley, the planter of the first apples and grapes. He built the first school for settlers and Indian children, and acted as counselor, confessor, agriculturalist, musician and sports coach. He soon became known as peace-maker and defender of justice; especially for the underdog. But above all he was a priest, who first and foremost would instill the Love of God in his people.
THE OKANAGAN
This beautiful valley, with its shimmering lakes, its mountain background, the fertile soil watered by a myriad of streams, the forests, the mild weather, all made this area a very choice place to live. Several tribes of Indians, although nomadic considered this valley their home. One of the most feared was Chief Chapeau Blank (White Hat). His tribe, well equipped with horses and brave warriors, were generally in the area of Beaver Creek and De Chien Lake (where Penticton is today).
The Indian tribes, north along the valley generally co-existed peacefully, hunting, trapping and fishing. White trappers and fur traders occasionally came through the valley, these men did not interfere with the Indian way of life, as a matter of fact - they often helped them. By bartering for some of the white man's tools, knives, axes and other necessities for furs, the Indians looked for these men to see what new objects they could exchange. Chief White Hat did not mind the trapper or fur traders, whose nomadic life was much lie their own but "setters" that was a different matter, he wanted no part of them. Any settlers that set foot in his territory, he ordered to go away. He even threatened that he would kill any white man who would take up land.
The Oblate Fathers had established a mission at Colville (now Washington). Father Pandosy who had worked with Indians for many years and was familiar with their ways, was to go north an establish a white settlement. In October of 1859 Father Pandosy and a handful of settlers set out on their journey. Cyprian Lawrence had a few years earlier been a trapper who had lived in the Okanagan valley. He met a native girl, and eventually he took her as his wife. The girl was a niece of Chief White Hat by the name of Teresa. Cyprian and Teresa who wanted to go north to take up land, build home and raise a family. Father Pandosy was only too pleased to have these two along, who were familiar with this new territory. The first 7 or 8 days everything on Father Pandosy's journey, except for the usual problems in traveling this rugged country, were uneventful. On the 9th day, suddenly they were confronted by Chief White Hat and his band. The Chief had heard of this group of settlers, and with his bank of warriors surprised the. There had recently been a massacre further south, so Father Pandosy approached the Chief with the greatest caution. Teresa stepped forward and greeted her uncle Chief White Hat and explained that these white men intended to help the Indians to improve living conditions if he would allow them to take up land and settle in the valley. "If you kill the priest and the white men and my husband you will be obliged to keep me for the rest of my life," she said. In the end her uncle Chief White Hat let them stay.
Fr. Pandosy was very familiar with the ways of the Indians and he did his utmost to befriend them and help them, after all that was part of his mission as a priest, he had however to be very careful. The next day was uneventful, as the small party of settlers with their horses and supplies followed the Okanagan Valley, and finally they came to a choice area of land, not far from the Lake, right next to what is now mission Creek. There were large trees there for building, plenty of hay for the horses and the valley was wide at this point to allow for many settlers to take up land. "This is the place" it was decided.
Our settlers then immediately went to work preparing a temporary shelter. When the sun had set they certainly were dead tired, they each rolled their blanket around themselves for a good night's rest. They felt they where at home now and soon fell asleep; all except Father Pandosy. He had an uneasy feeling and his 6th sense told him something was amiss. It did not take long to confirm his fears, when he heard a twig snap. Peeking out from the shelter he could just make out in the growing darkness that they were surrounded by Indians. Having lived among the Yakima Indians for 11 years he knew their ways - this could be an ambush.
Something had to be one quickly. He reached for his knapsack pulled out a large butcher knife, then with raw courage he walked outside - neither looking right nor left he walked straight to a large tree and cut a round circle in the trunk. He turned sharply and paced off several steps, turned again, and taking the knife by the tip of its blade, he threw it, scoring a bull's eye. Again turning sharply he walked straight to the tree picked up the knife turned again and repeated this feat...bull's eye again and when he hit a third bull's eye, the Indians had quietly disappeared. He went back to the shelter, and his tired settlers did not even wake up.
A NEW MISSION
Construction had n now begun, using logs from nearby trees. All hand-hewn, suing a very unique interlocking system, which now, one and one-fourth centuries later can still be seen rye grass twisted and braided together to make a harness so that they could use horse power to pull the logs into place. I am sure there must have been delays mending or replacing broken harness and it is amazing how they could "make do" with materials at hand. I am sure that once they were established, hides were tanned and they made shoes and other needed leather products for everyday use.
THE SCHOOL
Father Pandosy's apples were flourishing much better than his school. The settler's children were no problem, but the Indian children, being creatures of nature, could see very little use for an education. They regarded the school as we would a jail, and would sneak out at every opportunity to go fishing or hunting, or just paying. These shy, dark-haired youngster were used to a nomadic life and the parents were no help either. They knew little of the white man's way of life, and could seed no benefit in learning to read and write.
Father Pandosy had better luck in teaching young Indian people to sing. Having a good voice himself he would select a singing leader from among each tribe, who would then lead in the hymns and prayers. The Indians very quickly learned to sing, as this came natural to them, and it was not long before they would sing through the entire Mass. The whole process was gradual and took endless patience, but Father had found a way to communicate with his Indian friends.
A NEW SADDLE
Father Pandosy received a brand new saddle as a gift. His Indian guide and interpreter by the name of Williams, was quite a gambler. At every opportunity he would place bets often gambling away all he possessed. One day Williams gambling was on a losing spree, so he gambled away Father's beloved brand new saddle.
NEW SETTLERS
Over the years more settlers came and later ranchers brought their herds. The first being the O'Keefe Ranch which was established north-west of what is now Vernon. On this historic ranch was built a little Chapel for that area, just7 years after Pandosy Mission was built. This Chapel may still be visited and is the original.
British Columbia had not yet become part of Canada when Father Pandosy established the Immaculate Conception Mission, so our heritage and our Catholic background played a large part in bringing new settlers. Here was a church, a school, and a pleasant climate, plus lakes, forests, surrounded by mountains to entice newcomers. This valley was already growing some fruit and grain and, now with ranches in the vicinity one could be assured of ample food, meat and housing.
Kelowna and our Father Pandosy Mission
are truly Early Canadian History---
OUR HISTORY
Reference: Jack Hubenig, Our History, 1986
