North Of Nothing

In memory of E. Pauline Johnson “Tekahionwake” of the Mowhawk Nation of Canada, 1861-1913. On July 1, 2023, Canada will be celebrating its 156th year since it became a “Dominion.“ CANADIAN BORN We first saw light in Canada, the land beloved of God; We are the pulse of Canada, its marrow and its blood: And we, the men of Canada, can face the world and brag That we were born in Canada beneath the British flag. Few of us have the blood of kings, few are of courtly birth, But few are vagabonds or rogues of doubtful name and worth; And all have one credential that entitles us to brag- That we were born in Canada beneath the British flag. We've yet to make our money, we've yet to make our fame, But we have gold and glory in our clean colonial name; And every man's a millionaire if only he can brag That he was born in Canada beneath the British flag. No title and no coronet is half so proudly worn As that which we inherited as men Canadian born. We count no man so noble as the one who makes the brag That he was born in Canada beneath the British flag. The Dutch may have their Holland, the Spaniard have his Spain, The Yankee to the south of us must south of us remain; For not a man dare lift a hand against the men who brag That they were born in Canada beneath the British flag. E. Pauline Johnson was born on the Six Nations Reserve in Ontario, the daughter of a Mohawk Chief. She gained fame as a poet and stage actress, promoting her Native and Canadian culture. Her Native name was Tekahionwake, “Double-life.” She died only a few days before her 52nd birthday in 1913 under in the shadows of the majestic mountains of Vancouver, BC, which she wrote about. Her ashes were scattered in Stanley Park, where there is a Monument to her unto this day. They shall fear thee as long as the sun and moon endure, throughout all generations. He shall come down like rain upon the mown grass: as showers that water the earth. In his days shall the righteous flourish; and abundance of peace so long as the moon endureth. HE SHALL HAVE DOMINION ALSO FROM SEA TO SEA, and from the river unto the ends of the earth. - Psalm 78 #canadaday #dominionday #poetry #poem #heritage #canada #canadian #patriotic #nationalism