Glossary
A
Abolitionist
(Especially prior to the Civil War) A person who advocated or supported the abolition of slavery in the U.S. http://www.dictionary.com/browse/abolitionist
American Revolution
The war between the American colonies and Great Britain leading to the formation of the independent United States http://www.thecanadianencyclopedia.ca/en/article/american-revolution/
C
Chiefswood National Historic Site
This unique mansion is the birthplace of famed Mohawk-English poet Pauline Johnson and was constructed along the Grand River in 1856. Chiefswood is rich in history, both Mohawk and English cultures and is an eye opening glimpse into 19th century life through the eyes of a young poetess. http://www.sixnationstourism.ca/chiefswood-national-historic-site/
Collection
A group of objects or an amount of material accumulated in one location, especially for some purpose or as a result of some process www.dictionary.com/browse/collection
E
E. Pauline Johnson
The daughter of a Mohawk Chief and an English women, Pauline Johnson is best known for her poetry celebrating her Aboriginal heritage http://www.thecanadianencyclopedia.ca/en/article/pauline-johnson/
H
Haudenosaunee Confederacy or Iroquois Confederacy
Haudenosaunee Confederacy or Iroquois Confederacy is comprised of the Mohawk, Onondaga, Oneida, Cayuga, Seneca and the Tuscarora peoples. Together these nations form the Confederacy who would historically make decisions through consensus on matters that affected one another. The Haudenosaunee Confederacy was the governing body on Six Nations up until 1925 when a forced federal election replaced the Confederacy with the Six Nations Elected Council. Both the Haudenosaunee Confederacy and the Six Nations Elected Council are operational which creates a unique political environment on Six Nations.
I
Iroquois
Iroquois is a group of nations also known as the Haudenosaunee or “people of the longhouse,” which include the Mohawk, Onondaga, Oneida, Cayuga, Seneca and the Tuscarora peoples. Six Nations is an Iroquois/Haudenosaunee reserve with a unique history, values, rights and responsibilities from other First Nations’ in Canada such as Cree, Ojibwa, Mi’kmaq, Inuit, Metis, etc.
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M
Memoir
Towards the end of her life Pauline’s sister, Evelyn Johnson, wrote a Memoirs. The Memoirs book is about the lives of her family members and herself. Evelyn provides a very detailed description of each of the Johnson’s and their time spent at Chiefswood.
Mohawk Chapel
Her Majesty’s Royal Chapel of the Mohawks was the first Protestant Church in Upper Canada, and is now the oldest surviving church in Ontario. It is one of the two Royal Chapels in North America, but is the only one located on a First Nations Territory. Run by Six Nations Tourism, a sub department of Six Nations of the Grand River Development Corporation (SNGRDC).
Mohawk Institute
As one of only a handful of residential schools left still standing in Canada, the Mohawk Institute Indian Residential School is a physical reminder of the legacy of assimilation imposed upon First Nations children in Canada.
To learn more about this often-overlooked era in Canadian history, join the Woodland Cultural Centre for a tour of the Mohawk Institute! http://www.woodland-centre.on.ca/join-us-tour-former-mohawk-institute
N
Napoleon Bonaparte
Napoleon Bonaparte (August 15, 1769 to May 5, 1821) was a military general and the first emperor of France who is considered one of the world’s greatest military leaders. Napoleon revolutionized military organization and training, sponsored the Napoleonic Code, reorganized education and established the long-lived Concordat with the papacy. George Johnson was very fond of Napoleon and had tried to name his children after Napoleon and his family. https://www.biography.com/people/napoleon-9420291
O
Oratory skills
Skill or eloquence in public speaking http://www.dictionary.com/browse/oratory?s=ts
P
Plank on Plank Technique
This is a construction technique used during the early 1800’s. House builders would often use this technique to ensure a sound and sturdy structure. This is the technique used in building Chiefswood. All interior and exterior walls of Chiefswood are built using this technique.
S
SNGRDC
SNGRDC the acronym that stands for Six Nations of the Grand River Development Corporation which is a corporation with the mandate to pursue economic self-sufficiency without sacrificing the cultural values and integrity of the Six Nations people
Stanley Park
This is the location of a National Park in British Columbia, Canada. This is also the location where E. Pauline Johnson’s ashes are spread. It was her dying wish to be buried in Stanley Park as this was her favourite place in B.C. to visit.
T
Tuscarora Parsonage
Is the home of Reverend Adam Elliott. The Reverend would hold church services at his home, the Tuscarora Parsonage, for the people of Six Nations. This is also where George lived while working as an interpreter for the Reverend and later where he met his future wife, Emily. The Tuscarora Parsonage was located on the Grand River, minutes from Chiefswood.
1,2,3
1784 Haldimand Treaty/Proclamation
1784 Haldimand Treaty/Proclamation authorized Six Nations to possess all of the land six miles on each side of the Grand River from its mouth to its source (to be held in trust by the Crown) comprising a total of approximately 950,000 acres. The lands were granted in partial recognition of the loss sustained by Six Nations of millions of acres of land in the aftermath of their alliance with the British Crown during the American Revolutionary War.