"Mark Pauline Johnson Home"

A modern "unhealthy" tendency to ignore tradition and the past was deplored Saturday by speakers at the unveiling of a historical plaque commemorating the life of Emily Pauline Johnson at Chiefswood, her former home.

"A country that does not pay respect to the men and women of the past is not worthy of the name of a country," said Professor T. F. McIlwraith of the University of Toronto. "In Ontario we have been rather slow..."

"Too long we have not given sufficient attention to our history," said John M. Elson, publicist, writer and personal acquaintance of Miss Johnson.

Hon. James N. Allan, provincial treasurer, put it this way: "As a nation we are just now realizing the importance of looking back but we do not seem to place the value on the greatness and tradition of our past as other nations do.

"I am sure," he said. "that this particular project will have a great deal to do with the awakening of our historic interests."

E.P. Garlow, chief councillor of the Six Nations Council also spoke of the "great heritage" of the past and asserted the Indians should stick to the treaties.

The plaque is the third to be erected commemorating Six Nations history. Others have been erected to remember Tom Longboat, the famous runner, and to mark the Mohawk Chapel.

The unveiling was performed by Mr. Allan, with the assistance of Harry Nixon, MPP for Brant. The marker was dedicated by Rev. J. H. Pogson, rector of St. Peter's Anglican Church, Ohsweken.

Erected by the Archaeological and Historic Sites Board, the plaque reads:

Tributes to Miss Johnson and her work were many and varied. Mr. McIlwraith said that with the "unsurpassed vigor and imagination" which she possessed "she made clear what the average white man did not know." Her message was not of Ontario, not of Canada, but of the world, he claimed.

Mr. Elson suggested it was a pity, "some of her poems have not been put in school books."

John A. Charlton, MP for Brant-Haldimand said "no other Canadian can claim a greater pride in her country than that shown by Pauline Johnson, nor a greater love and loyalty to her ancestors."

In a personal message for the occasion, read by Mr. Charlton, Hon. F. A. G. Hamilton, minister of northern affairs and national resources suggested Chiefswood "could well become a major tourist attraction and a centre for Indian handicrafts."

Hon. Ellen L. Fairclough, minister of citizenship and immigration, in a similar message, said: "It is a tribute to her (Miss Johnson's) genius that her work has remained popular indeed, that time has enhanced the esteem in which it is held."

During the unveiling ceremony, Mrs. Ethel Brant Monture, great great granddaughter of Joseph Brant, recited Miss Johnson's poem "The Song My Paddle Sings." R. J. Stallwood, Indian superintendent of the Six Nations Agency, briefly outlined the work now being accomplished on the reservation.

The Six Nations Indian Band and Kanyengah Singers provided music and song during the afternoon.