Although Jane Johnston Schoolcraft was the first published Native American writer, she is practically unknown. Robert Dale Parker, Professor of English at the University of Illinois, brings her to life in his book, The Sound Stars Make Rushing through the Sky: the Writings of Jane Johnston Schoolcraft, This is the first biography of Schoolcraft, and the first time the majority of her writing appears in print.
Schoolcraft's Upbringing
Jane was born in 1800, on the Upper Peninsula of Sault Ste. Marie along the Michigan and Canadian border. Her mother, Oshauguscodawaqua, was Ojibwa and her father, John, was of Scotch-Irish decent and a well known fur trader. She was the third child of seven.
The Johnston children learned to read and write from their father, who used his extensive library that consisted of both French and English literature. Mrs. Johnston taught the children the Ojibwa language and the tradition of storytelling.According to Parker, Jane began writing in 1815. Approximately fifty poems and a few nonfiction pieces have survived. She wrote in both the English and the Ojibwa language. Jane also preserved the traditional oral stories of the Ojibwas in writing.
Early Writing and Marriage
In order to avoid being married to an Ojibwa warrior, John Johnston took his daughter, Jane, to Ireland to live with his sister, Jane Moore. But Jane did not adapt well to Ireland. She grew homesick. Four months after he left his daughter in Ireland, Mr. Johnston returned and took Jane to England. They remained in England for four months before returning to Sault Ste. Marie.
Henry Rowe Schoolcraft met Jane Johnston in 1822. Schoolcraft was a United States Indian Agent working in the Sault Ste. Marie area. Jane and Henry shared the love of literature and writing. They married in 1823.
The early years of their marriage were happy and produced three children. Their marriage turned difficult after Henry became a member of the Michigan territorial government. His job took him away from home for long stretches at a time leaving Jane alone to care for the three children.
Longfellow Inspired to Write Hiawatha
Henry’s interest in the American Indian culture grew. He supported Indian children attending white schools where they were “Christianized.” Henry even asked his wife to give up her culture and become a Christian. She refused. Parker reveals that the correspondence between Henry and JaLone at times was very cold, not as much on Jane’s part, but on Henry’s.
Henry took advantage of his wife’s heritage and used it to advance his career. At times, he had her writings published as his own. An example of this is Algic Researches, which inspired Henry Wadsworth Longfellow to write The Song of Hiawatha.
Henry Schoolcraft Perserves Writings
Jane never pursued publishing her writings. She wrote her poetry and documented the Ojibwa traditions for her children.
Henry outlived his wife a little more than twenty years. After her death, he preserved her writings, which if he had not this biography would not have been possible.
Robert Dale Parker, ed. The Sound Stars Make Rushing through the Sky: the Writings of Jane Johnston Schoolcraft. Philadelphia, University of Pennsylvania Press, 2007.
