'The Apostle of Alaska: The Story of William Duncan of Metlakahtla' Summary

In John W. Arctander's The Apostle of Alaska: The Story of William Duncan of Metlakahtla, readers learn about the remarkable life and work of William Duncan, a missionary and educator who founded the Christian Tsimshian community of Metlakahtla in British Columbia.

Born into slavery in the United States in 1832, Duncan overcame many challenges to become a respected leader and advocate for the Tsimshian people. He was ordained as a minister in the Church of England in 1862 and was soon sent to work among the Tsimshian people of the Pacific Northwest.

Duncan was deeply committed to the Tsimshian people, and he worked tirelessly to teach them about Christianity, agriculture, and industry. He also helped them to establish a thriving community based on Christian values.

Duncan's work was not without its critics, however. He faced opposition from both the Canadian government and the Church Missionary Society, which supported his work. The Canadian government was concerned about Duncan's growing influence over the Tsimshian people, and the Church Missionary Society was concerned about his unorthodox methods.

Despite the challenges he faced, Duncan remained steadfast in his commitment to the Tsimshian people. In 1881, he led a group of Tsimshian people to Annette Island, Alaska, where they established the community of Metlakahtla. Metlakahtla became a model community, and it was one of the first Indigenous communities in North America to achieve self-government.

Duncan died in 1910 at the age of 78. He is remembered as one of the most influential missionaries and educators in the history of North America. His work helped to transform the lives of the Tsimshian people and to establish the Christian community of Metlakahtla.

The essence and spirit of The Apostle of Alaska can be captured in the following quote:

"William Duncan was a man of faith, courage, and perseverance. He overcame many challenges to dedicate his life to the service of the Tsimshian people. His work helped to transform their lives and to establish the Christian community of Metlakahtla. Duncan is a true inspiration to us all."

Arctander's biography of Duncan is a well-written and informative account of this remarkable man's life and work. It is a story of faith, courage, and perseverance, and it is an inspiration to us all.