Ohsweken in Brant County, Ontario — Central Canada (North America)
E. Pauline Johnson
1861-1913
Photographed by Cosmos Mariner, May 25, 2022
1. E. Pauline Johnson Marker
In this house "Chiefswood", erected about 1853, was born the Mohawk poetess Emily Pauline Johnson (Tekahionwake). Her father, Chief G.H.M. Johnson a greatly respected leader of the Six Nations, built "Chiefswood" as a wedding gift for her English mother, a cousin of the well-known American novelist William Dean Howells. By her writing and dramatic recitals from her own works in Great Britain and throughout North America, Pauline made herself the voice of the Indian race in the English-tongue. No book of poetry by a Canadian has outsold her collected verse, "Flint and Feather".
Erected by Ontario Archaeological and Historic Sites Board.
Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Arts, Letters, Music • Indigenous Peoples and Communities • Women. In addition, it is included in the Canada, Ontario Heritage Trust series list. A significant historical year for this entry is 1853.
Location. 43° 5.99′ N, 80° 5.707′ W. Marker is in Ohsweken, Ontario, in Brant County. It can be reached from County Highway 54 just east of Chiefswood Road, on the right when traveling east. Marker is located
this page online
Regionally, this marker is in the Hamilton-Halton-Brant Area and in Southwestern Ontario. It is also in Central Canada. Globally, it is in North America, the Western Hemisphere, the Western World, and the Anglosphere. Historically, it finds itself in what was once a British colony, the Viceroyalty of New France, the Haudenosaunee (Iroquois) Confederacy, and Ruperts Land.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within 8 kilometers of this marker, measured as the crow flies: Chiefswood (a few steps from this marker); a different marker also named E. Pauline Johnson (within shouting distance of this marker); Thayendanega (Joseph Brant) (approx. 3.9 kilometers away); Ahyouwaeghs - John Brant (approx. 3.9 kilometers away); The Six Nations (approx. 3.9 kilometers away); The Six Nations War Memorial (approx. 3.9 kilometers away); Cogwagee Tom Longboat (approx. 3.9 kilometers away); Langford United Church (approx. 8 kilometers away).
Photographed by Cosmos Mariner, May 25, 2022
2. E. Pauline Johnson Marker
More about this marker. Both sides of this marker have the same inscription.
Related markers. Click here for a list of markers that are related to this marker. Chiefswood National Historic Site
Also see . . .
1. Emily Pauline Johnson.
Also known by her Mohawk stage name Tekahionwake (pronounced dageh-eeon-wageh, literally 'double-life'), Johnson was a Canadian poet, author, and performer who was popular in the late 19th and early 20th centuries. Her father was a hereditary Mohawk chief of mixed ancestry and her mother was an English immigrant. Johnson was born at her family home Chiefswood at the Six Nations reserve outside Brantford, Ontario. George Johnson encouraged their four children to respect and learn about both their Mohawk and English heritage. Because George Johnson had partial Mohawk ancestry, his children were, by British law, legally considered Mohawk and wards of the British Crown. But, according to the Mohawk matrilineal kinship system, children are considered born into the mother's family, and take their status from her.(Submitted on October 31, 2022, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida.)
2. Pauline Johnson (Tekahionwake).
Pauline Johnson was one of North Americas most notable entertainers of the late 19th century. A mixed-race woman of Mohawk and European descent, she was a gifted writer and poised orator. She toured extensively, captivating audiences with her flair for the dramatic arts. Johnson made important contributions to Indigenous and Canadian oral and written culture. She is listed as a Person of National Historic Significance and her childhood home is a National Historic Site and museum. In 2016, she was one of 12 Canadian women in consideration to appear on a banknote.(Submitted on October 31, 2022, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida.)
Credits. This page was last revised on May 27, 2026. It was originally submitted on October 30, 2022, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida. This page has been viewed 411 times since then and 41 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on October 31, 2022, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida.
