Profession: Poet
Biography: Jane Johnston Schoolcraft was a Native American poet of mixed heritage, being the daughter of an Scots-Irish fur trader, John Johnston, and his Ojibwe wife, Ozhaguscodaywayquay. She was not only fluent but also learned in both English and Ojibwa, a unique perspective which would shape her creative work.
She was also known as Bamewawagezhikaquay, an Ojibwe name which can be translated roughly as "woman of the sound that stars make rushing through the sky."
Jane Johnston met Henry Schoolcraft, an American geographer and ethnologist, when he was conducting an expedition in Michigan. They married in 1822, a union that proved significant role for both. For Henry, Jane provided invaluable insights into the Ojibwe culture and language, deeply influencing his ethnographic work. For Jane, the marriage offered an avenue to express her own literary talents.
While not as widely known as her husband, Jane Schoolcraft made noteworthy contributions to American literature. She wrote poetry and translated traditional Ojibwe stories into English. Her work was one of the earliest examples of American Indian literature published in the United States.
Jane also contributed to her husband's work, especially his studies of the Ojibwe. Her translations and insights helped Henry Schoolcraft in his own writing, as well as his later role as an Indian agent for the government. Jane's influence is particularly evident in many of the stories that Henry collected.
Born: January 31, 1800
Birthplace: Sault Ste. Marie, Michigan, USA
Star Sign: Aquarius
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