A Little History of My Forest Life: An Indian-White Autobiography

by Eliza Morrison, Victoria Brehm (Editor)

Written in 1894 and recently recovered from the archives of the University of Minnesota, this incredible autobiography tells the story of a Chippewa–Scots French woman from Madeline Island in Lake Superior. The child and grandchild of fur traders, Eliza Morrison tells of a difficult and beautiful life carved out of the wilderness—the “starving time” with her husband John on a homestead in northern Wisconsin; her travels by boat, dog sled, and on foot; and the joy of making maple syrup in the spring. Generously illustrated with photographs, drawings, and maps, Métis culture comes alive as Native American lore and history are blended with homesteading stories in true mixed-blood fashion, giving a 19th-century woman’s view of the Wisconsin Death March, the Dream Dance, and the Chippewa-Dakota War as well as a personal look at the daily life of a fur trading family. Also included is a glossary of Chippewa words.

200 pages, Paperback

First published April 1, 2002

Reviews

[Mary · Rating 5 out of 5]

My mom and dad gave me this book for my birthday and I thought another boring memoir. (My mom really likes those :) But instead it was an amazing account of a Indian-white woman who lived in the 1800s around Chequamegon Bay, near Bayfield, Wisconsin. She actually was born and lived many years in LaPointe, also known as Madeline Island Wisconsin. Eliza Morrison tells her tale in the form of letters to someone who is asking her what it was like to live among the Indians. One of the interesting things about the book was how she did not refer to herself as an Indian although she was. I just loved imaging what it was like in the 1800s around the land that I love. I'm pretty sure that this is book for Northern Wisconsin-o-philes like myself but maybe not just us.

[Monica · Rating 4 out of 5]

I love history, learning about people's lives, and I am very proud of my Native American roots. This book was a fun little read for me.