Margaret T.

Toronto, Ontario

Toronto East Regional Fair

Pauline Johnson: Writer, Performer, Neglected Canadian

Pauline Johnson is a Canadian writer that has English and Native dissent. She wrote about brave topics for her time and used her passion of writing to create an impact.

 

 

 

What was the most interesting thing you learned about your topic?

The most interesting thing that I learned about my topic is the fact that Pauline Johnson was able to get the public listen to her. In her time, she was very popular, which is very interesting since she was First Nations and female. Pauline Johnson had sold out shows and many pieces of writing published. I am sure there were other writers who may have tried to get the same messages across but Pauline Johnson was one of few people to get listeners.

What important lessons have you learned that you want to share with other Canadians?

The lesson I learned from Pauline Johnson, that I want to share with other Canadians is: you can use your passion to create a change in the world. No, she didn't fight in a battle or a win a medal of honor, but she used what she knew best to stand up for the discrimination of her time. Through writing she voiced brave opinions such as the unfair treatment to Indigenous peoples and feminism. In 2017, we still face forms of discrimination, racism and sexism. Why don't we use our passions to make an impact?

How would you compare your life today to the lives of those studied in your project?

I am happy to say that if Pauline Johnson wrote in this time period she would have been very popular. In 2017, we are more understanding. I am sure that we would have loved to learn about her opinions and help Pauline get her message across.