SAULT STE. MARIE – This Thursday, Sault Ste. Marie celebrates the first Jane Bamewawagezhikaquay Johnston Schoolcraft Day.
Jane Bamewawagezhikaquay Johnston Schoolcraft, often known as Jane Schoolcraft, was one of the first settlers in the city that would later become Sault Ste. Marie. She is known as a Native American author and her works are the first known literary writings written in both English and her cultural language, Anishinaabe Ojibwe.
Schoolcraft was born in Sault in the 19th century and was home-schooled, spending most of her life in the Upper Peninsula and New York City.
In 2008, the State of Michigan recognized Jane Schoolcraft’s achievements by inducting her into the Honored and Distinguished Michigan Women’s Hall of Fame.
More: City declares Jane Schoolcraft Day
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This year, Sault City authorities declared that every second Saturday in August would be a day of appreciation for Schoolcraft.
This day will be celebrated for the first time on Thursday, August 15. The events will take place on Water Street in front of the city’s oldest houses, including the house where Schoolcraft grew up and where she wrote most of her works.
The day begins at 12pm and includes readings from Schoolcraft’s works and other activities including music, an on-site archaeological dig and a tour of the houses where she lived.
Admission is $5 and includes access to the historic houses.
— Contact Brendan Wiesner: [email protected]
