Paddling Her Own Canoe: The Times and Texts of E. Pauline Johnson (Tekahionwake) (Studies in Gender and History) by Strong-Boag, Veronica, Gerson, Carole (2000) Paperback

by Veronica Jane Strong-Boag

Excellent Book

Paperback

First published June 1, 2000

Reviews

[Cathleen Adams · Rating 3 out of 5]

Pauline Johnson was a fascinating woman. Of mixed race she straddled the settler and Indigenous worlds. She navigated the societal, gender and racial constraints of her time by challenging these norms and paddling her own canoe.
This book is more of a text for studies in Gender and History than a light read. For those who want to deepen their understanding this Canadian woman who lived an extraordinary life, then be prepared that it is a bit dry but manageable.
On a personal note, I was quite interested in the overlap in her story to Peter Jones aka Kahkewāquonāby who was also of mixed race and was a friend of hers. He was the founder of the Methodist Minister at Mississauga (Port Credit). This was a joint congregation with settlers and this wee church (First United, Port Credit) was my Grandparent's and parent's church.

[Karin · Rating 4 out of 5]

Previously to reading this, I knew of Johnson, but that's all I could say. This is a thorough and interesting account of an 19th century performance artist. As a woman, as a First Nations artist, as the daughter of an Englishwoman, she straddled various worlds and pushed the boundaries of all of them, developing her own unique sense of self. A very cool part of Canadian history.

[Damaris · Rating 4 out of 5]

While this book is an amazing account of Pauline Johnson's life, it is also a significant commentary on the 'New Women' in Canada throughout the 19th and 20th centuries. This is an informative, well-rounded and well researched book. An excellent read for anyone interested in Pauline Johnson, the Canadian-Indigenous relationship, or women in the early 1900s.