Árdís - 01.01.1947, Page 37

as well as of poetry that expresses the feelings of groups of peojjle or
races. It was poetry of the latter kind that I was particularly interested
in when I decided to say a few words about Pauline Johnson. Poetry
that expresses the attitude of its different racial groups should certainly
be of value in promoting understanding among the many national
groups which Canada is made up of. The poetxy of Pauline Johnson
is of particular interest because through it we can enter into the feelings
and attitude of a racial group in Canada tliat is often disregarded and
misunderstood—the Indians.
E. Pauline Johnson was a daughter of the chief of the renowned
Mohawk Indian tribe and his English wife Emily Howells. Chief John-
son was head chief of the Six Nations Indians which were known as the
Brotherhood of the Five Nations, but were áfterwards named the Iro-
quois by the early French explorers. These Iroquois Indians were noted
for their loyalty to the British crown and fought on the British side
against both the French and the revolting American colonists. Because
of this they were granted a large reserve of magnificent lands in Ontario.
On this reserve Pauline Johnson was born.
There is plenty of evidence in her poetrv that she is of Indian blood
and tliat she feels keenly the injustice that the Indian has suffered at
the hands of the white man. This is illustrated in her poem “The Cattle
Thief”. This poem tells of the British soldiers who are pursuing an Ind-
ian, Eagle Chief who has been stealing their cattle. The end of this
poem reflects the bittemess of the Indians and their resentment of the
white settlers.
“Give back the furs and the forests
that were ours before you came;
Give back the peace and the plenty. Then
come with your new belief,
And blame, if you dare, the hunger tliat
drove him to be a thief.”
But Miss Johnson’s poetry reflects also that there is British blood
in her veins. This is seen in the poem “A Cry From An Indian Wife. In
this poem the Indian woman is urging her forest brave to rise up and
and fight the British. She says:
35