In the winter of 1900 a band of Ojibway Indians was formed to illustrate Indian life at the Sportsmen's Show in Boston.īukwujjinini, and one of the inducements he had to take the journey was the hope of visiting the home of the writer who had cared enough for the legends of his people to turn them into poetry.īut this could not be, for the old man, who was over ninety, fell ill, and died on the very day the Indians were to set forth, and they took their journey without their father, and with genuine sorrow in their hearts.įor some time the Canadian gentleman who arranged the expedition had been cherishing the idea of training the Indians to perform scenes from ‘Hiawatha’ in the forest on the shores of the ‘big sea water.’ In addition to his knowledge of these tales from his uncle's lips, Kabaoosa had heard the poem of ‘Hiawatha’ read by his Sunday-school teacher in his youth. He selected his nephew, George Kabaoosa-or Daguagonay-as his successor in continuing the legendary history of his people, constantly repeating to him all he had heard from his father, and this Kabaoosa is now engaged in writing out all these legends to preserve them for posterity. The old chief was a fine specimen of the aboriginal red man, dignified, wise, and thoughtful, and deeply beloved by his people. Schoolcraft, who had married an Indian woman, received them, turning them into English and printing them in his great work on the Indians. He imbued his son Bukwujjinini with the same feeling, and carefully instructed him in all the legendary lore of his people.īukwujjinini became thus well versed in these legends, and it was from him that Mr. He held the remnants of the tribe together, cherished their national pride, and laid great stress on the importance of preserving the national legendary history. Marie, were ruled over by Chief Shingwauk, a ruler of force and character.

Longfellow's mind, he followed the adventures of Manabozho (a mythical character, whose exploits figure largely in all Ojibway legends) and gave his name to the poem but feeling the need of some expression of the finer and nobler side of the Indian nature, he blended the supernatural deeds of the crafty sprite with the wise, noble spirit of the Iroquois national hero, and formed the character of Hiawatha.Įarly in the last century the scattered bands of the Ojibways who had their home near Lake Superior and Lake Huron, with their principal village at Garden River in Algoma, not far from Sault Ste. When the idea of writing an Indian poem began first to take form in Mr. Longfellow for the Riverside Literature Series, and is used by permission. The following narrative of the reception given to the Longfellow family by the Ojibway Indians was prepared by Miss Alice M. : resignation of Professorship-to death ofĪppendix IV: a visit to Hiawatha's people

Longfellow poem sail forth