Edward Ahenakew facts for kids

Edward Ahenakew (born June 11, 1885 – died July 12, 1961) was a Canadian Cree leader. He was an Anglican priest and a writer. He is famous for saving and writing down many stories and myths. These stories came from the Indigenous people of Western Canada.

About Edward Ahenakew

His Early Life and Education

Edward Ahenakew was born on June 11, 1885. His family lived in Ahtahkakoop, Saskatchewan. His parents were Baptiste and Ellen Ahenakew. He was related to Chief Ahtahkakoop.

As a young boy, Edward went to the Ahtahkakoop Day School. His uncle, Louis Ahenakew, was his teacher there. In 1896, Edward's father took him to a school in Prince Albert. This was the Emmanuel College Indian Boarding School.

Edward later studied at Anglican Wycliffe College, Toronto. He then studied theology at Emmanuel College, Saskatoon. He finished his studies in 1910. In 1912, he became an Anglican priest.

His Important Work

In 1923, Edward Ahenakew was not feeling well. During this time, he worked to save important stories. These tales were shared with him by Chief Thunder Child. Edward wrote them down. They were later published in a book called Voices of the Plains Cree (1973). He used these stories to help him feel better.

Throughout the 1920s and 1930s, Edward Ahenakew worked hard for Indigenous people. He spoke up for their rights. He especially wanted better education for First Nations children.

Edward Ahenakew also helped create a large Cree-English Dictionary. This dictionary had 26,000 words. It was published in 1938. In 1947, Emmanuel College gave him a special award. It was an honorary doctorate degree.

Edward Ahenakew died on July 12, 1961. He was traveling to Dauphin, Manitoba at the time. He was helping to start a summer school there.