About the town:Repulse Bay is called in Inuktituk Naujat with reference to the multitude of seagulls coming each summer from the south. The origin of the name Repulse is not sure. Some attribute it to an unknown captain of the early 18th century, who blocked by the ice was obliged to turn back. He would call the Bay “the one that repulses”. Others believe that the name of the Bay comes from an English vessel called “Repulse”, patrolling the waters of Hudson Bay in 1742. The place holds also the memory of traveler Dr. John Rae, who sailed in the bay of Repulse in 1846 and later during the winter went around the country as far as Kugaaruk (Pelly Bay).
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[If you are looking for further general information about the town, a good place to visit is The Nunavut Handbook on line.]
Roman Catholic Mission
Father Emmanuel Duplain OMI (1892-1972) visited the Inuit of Repulse Bay in 1925, arriving by dog sled from Chesterfield Inlet, with Henry Udjuk and Charles Innuksuk as his guides. He stayed there for 10 days as a guest of the Hudson Bay Company. During that time he preached the gospel and took care of few sick. Later, in 1931 and 1932 the place was visited by Fr. Armand Clabaut OMI. 1933 the mission was founded and Fr. Clabaut was asked to take it in charge.
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FATHER DIDIER AND TRANSLATION OF THE BIBLE
Father Theophile Didier OMI(1910-1986) was in charge of the mission since 1947. He spoke the Inuktituk language perfectly. Remembered for his sense of humour and love for the people, he is one of the official translators of the Bible into Inuktituk. [Go up]
Oblates who served the mission:
Fr. Armand Clabaut, 1933-1938
Fr. Pierre Henry, 1934-1935
Fr. Joseph Masse, 1935-1942
Fr. Marc Lacroix, 1935-1939
Fr. Franz Van de Velde, 1937
Fr. Joseph Buliard, 1939-1943
Fr. Robert Biasiolli, 1940
Fr. Etienne Bazin, 1942-1946
Fr. Francois Berube, 1943-1945
Br. Bedard, 1947-1948
Fr. Theophile Didier, 1947-60, 1965-74, 1976-77
Fr. Eugene Fafard, 1948-1950
Fr. Joseph Leverge, 1949-50, 1976-77
Fr. Guy Mary-Rousseliere, 1951-1953
Fr. Robert Paradis, 1953-1954
Fr. Bernard Fransen, 1955-1957
Fr. Jean-Marie Trebaol, 1958-1965
Fr. Joannis Rivoire, 1965-1975
Fr. Hubert Mascaret, 1967-1974
Fr. Rogatien Papion, 1978-1982
Fr. Louis Fournier, 1996-present
