E. Pauline Johnson, Tekahionwake, Mohawk, 1861-1913
She was one of Canada's most popular and successful entertainers
at the turn-of-the-century. The daughter of a Mohawk Native-Canadian
father and an English mother, Emily Pauline Johnson used the Mohawk
name “Tekahionwake.” At the age of 31 when her society
expected her to marry and have children, she began to tour the
country. She gave popular recitals of her poetry, comedy routines
and plays from Halifax to Vancouver. She was the first Native
poet to have her work published in Canada. She was also one of
the few female writers at the time who could make an independent
living from what she wrote and performed. Pauline Johnson was
proud of her Native heritage and wrote that “My aim, my
joy, my pride is to sing the glories of my own people.”
A longer biography appears in Native Leaders of Canada.