[2]: 2 The group departed Le Havre on August 27, 1837, aboard the American brigantine Lion until their arrival in New York Harbor forty-four days later.

[3]: 110 Although recruited to act as a missionary to the Dakota, Ravoux began his career in the Americas at St. Gabriel's Parish in Prairie du Chien, Wisconsin, serving as its first regular pastor.

He reached Traverse des Sioux after four days where he began his study of the Dakota language with Louis Provencal, a Frenchman who had been trading in the area for forty-five years.

[3]: 115  There he authored the Wakantanka ti ki Chanku (The Path to the House of God), a prayer book intended to explore the beautiful vocal abilities of the Dakota.

[2]: 72  When Chief Shakopee and Medicine Bottle were captured in Manitoba, Ravoux baptized them and administered their Last Rites, accompanying them up until their final moments on November 11, 1865.