Anahareo facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Anahareo
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Gertrude Bernard aged 19
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| Born |
Gertrude Bernard
June 18, 1906 Mattawa, Ontario, Canada
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| Died | June 17, 1986 (aged 79) Kamloops, British Columbia, Canada
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| Resting place | Ajawaan Lake, Prince Albert National Park, Saskatchewan |
| Citizenship | Canadian |
| Spouse(s) |
Count Eric Moltke-Huitfeldt
(m. 1939; died 1963) |
| Children | 3 |
| Awards | Order of Canada |
Gertrude Bernard CM (June 18, 1906 – June 17, 1986), also known as Anahareo, was an important writer and activist. She worked hard to protect animals and nature. Anahareo was of Algonquin and Mohawk heritage. She is remembered for her strong efforts in the conservation movement.
Biography
Early Life
Gertrude Bernard was born in Mattawa, Ontario, Canada. This was on June 18, 1906. Her mother, Mary Nash Ockiping, was from the Algonquin people. Her father, Matthew Bernard, had both Algonquin and Mohawk roots.
Gertrude grew up to be a very independent girl. People often described her as a "tomboy." Her friends even gave her the nickname "Pony."
Meeting Grey Owl
When Gertrude was 19, she met a writer named Archibald Stansfeld Belaney. He was also known as Grey Owl. They met at Camp Wabikon in Temagami, Canada. Gertrude was working there as a waitress. Grey Owl was a guide.
Grey Owl was almost twice her age. He was a fur trapper from England. He had claimed to be part-Apache from the United States. As they spent time together, Gertrude insisted on joining him on his traplines. She did not like his way of life. She encouraged him to stop trapping animals. Instead, she wanted him to become an activist for animal rights.
In his book, Pilgrims of the Wild (1934), Grey Owl wrote about Gertrude. He explained how she changed his life. She saved two baby beavers and raised them. This made him decide to protect wildlife. They considered themselves married, though it was not official.
A Voice for Animals
The couple separated in 1936. Grey Owl became a best-selling author. He passed away in 1938. Soon after his death, it was revealed that he was not part-Apache. He was an Englishman named Archibald Stansfeld Belaney.
In 1940, Gertrude wrote a book. She used the name Anahareo, which Grey Owl had given her. The book was called My Life With Grey Owl. Grey Owl's publisher encouraged her to write it. Anahareo was not happy with the final book. She felt it made her seem like "a sweet gentle Indian maiden."
In 1972, she wrote another book. It was a best-seller called Devil in Deerskins: My Life With Grey Owl. In this book, she said she did not know Grey Owl's true background. She shared that she was hurt to discover his deception.
Later Life and Legacy
In 1939, Anahareo married a Swedish nobleman. His name was Count Eric Axel Moltke-Huitfeldt. They had one daughter together, named Katharine. Her husband passed away in 1963.
For 50 years after separating from Grey Owl, Anahareo continued her work. She was very active in the conservation and animal rights movements. In 1979, she was honored by the International League of Animal Rights. This group is based in Paris.
In 1983, she was made a Member of the Order of Canada. This is a high honor in Canada. Anahareo passed away on June 17, 1986. She died in Kamloops, British Columbia, Canada. This was just one day before her 80th birthday.
See also
In Spanish: Anahareo para niños
