Hymns in the Chinook Jargon Language

Myron Eells (1843-1907) was a significant figure in the ethnographic and linguistic study of Native American cultures in the Pacific Northwest. The son of missionaries Cushing and Myra Eells, Myron was born in the vicinity of what is today known as Spokane, Washington. He grew up among Native Americans, learning their languages and customs, which paved the way for his future scholarly contributions. Eells' most notable work includes 'Hymns in the Chinook Jargon Language,' a remarkable collection reflecting his profound interest in both the spiritual life and languages of the indigenous peoples he lived among. His endeavors in transcribing and translating hymns into the Chinook Jargon, a pidgin trade language, revealed his linguistic dexterity and his commitment to cross-cultural religious communications. Eells was known for his scholarly approach concentrated not just on linguistics but also on ethnology; he documented the customs, traditions, and histories of the Native American tribes in the Northwest. His works are held in high regard for their contribution to the understanding of native cultures and languages, which were often misunderstood or disregarded by contemporary anthropologists and historians. Eells' dedication culminated in an array of publications, extending beyond hymnals to comprehensive ethnographies and histories that offer invaluable insight into the lives of the Native Americans of the Pacific Northwest during the era of intense change and challenge.