Jubilant Bells Prelude 🔔
Our selection recognizes the contributions of Joseph Renville (of Indigenous and Dakota heritage) to the music we use in worship today.
Many and Great (Wakantanka Taku Nitawa)...arr. Cathy Mocklebust
If the title seems familiar, it is because this selection was played as a postlude at our service on July 5th, and in my notes I provided background on the composer of this hymn, which you can read in full by visiting the earlier link, or in reviewing this summary about Joseph Renville:
Renville was the son of a French trader and a Dakota mother, later becoming a fur trader, guide, and British army captain in the War of 1812. He co-founded the Columbia Fur Company and established the Lac Qui Parle post, eventually aiding a Presbyterian mission by helping them build trust with the Dakota people. Through this collaborative work, Dakota dictionaries, Bible translations, and a hymnal were created. It is believed Renville authored at least 6 of 108 hymns appearing in this curated collection of hymns. Renville's ability to instill trust within the Dakota people (hesitant to follow white missionairies) was instrumental in the work of the mission.