Legend of Qu’Appelle
Mowhawk author and performer E. Pauline Johnson made The Legend of the Qu'Appelle Valley one of Saskatchewan's most popular folktales, but it's not the only story about "The River That Calls." Learn about the history of the legend, the theories on what made Johnson's version so popular, and the legacy that has made it somewhat controversial today. Then listen to a more modern tale inspired by the various elements of this iconic legend. Note: This episode discusses and quotes some antiquated and racist ideas and language in order to provide some context and aid in understanding its history. Discretion is advised.
Sources
Bouchard, David. Qu’Appelle. Richmond, BC: Raincoast Books, 2002.
Brean, Joseph. “Boom diddy ah da boom: ‘Racist’ camp song Land of the Silver Birch headed for libel trial.” The National Post. September 6, 2019. https://nationalpost.com/news/boom-diddy-ah-da-boom-racist-song-land-of-the-silver-birch-headed-for-libel-trial
Broder, Annie. “The Legend of Qu’Appelle.” The Daily Herald, Calgary, AB. May 7, 1901. Page 7.
Colombo, John Robert. Ghost Stories of Canada. Toronto, ON: Dundurn Press, 2002. Page 145.
Gray, Charlotte. “The Complicated Case of Pauline Johnson.” The Walrus. March 8, 2017. Accessed 2018. https://thewalrus.ca/the-complicated-case-of-pauline-johnson/
Harmon, Daniel Williams. 1778-1845; Haskel, Daniel, 1784-1848. A journal of voyages and travels in the interior of North America : between the 47th and 58th degrees of N. lat., extending from Montreal nearly to the Pacific, a distance of about 5,000 miles : including an account of the principal occurrences during a residence of nineteen years in different parts of the country. Toronto, Ontario: G. N. Morang, 1904.
Herriot, Trevor. River in a Dry Land: A Prairie Passage. Toronto, Ontario: McClelland & Stewart, 2004
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Johnson, Emily Pauline. “The Legend of Qu’Appelle Valley.” The Victoria Daily Times, Victoria, BC, October 25, 1898. Page 8.
Johnson, Emily Pauline. “The Call of the Old Qu’Appelle Valley.” The Daily Province Magazine. Vancouver, BC, November 19, 1910.
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Robinson, Amanda. “Pauline Johnson (Tekahionwake).” The Canadian Encyclopedia. April 14, 2008. Accessed 2019. https://www.thecanadianencyclopedia.ca/en/article/pauline-johnson
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Sladen, Douglas. On the Cars and Off: Being the Journal of a Pilgrimage Along the Queen’s Highway, From Halifax in Nova Scotia to Victoria in Vancouver’s Island. London, England: Ward Lock & Co. Limited, 1898. Pages 305-306.
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“Poet of the Mohawks: An English Tribute to the Genius of Miss. E. Pauline Johnson, and Samples of Her Poetry.” Buffalo Morning Express, Buffalo, NY, March 27, 1898. Page 7.
“The Savoy: Pauline Johnson.” Vancouver Daily World, Vancouver, BC. April 4, 1899. Page 3.
“The Indian Poetess.” The Province, Vancouver, BC. April 1, 1899. Page 4.
