Lewis Mitchell facts for kids

Lewis Mitchell (1847–1930) was an important Native American leader. He was a member of the Maine State Legislature in the late 1800s and early 1900s. Lewis Mitchell is known for speaking up for the Passamaquoddy people. He also wrote many things in the Passamaquoddy language. Not all of his writings have been saved. Even though he was Passamaquoddy, he knew a lot about the Wabanaki traditions. The Wabanaki culture and language were common in Maine, Canada, and New England. Many Native American tribes lived there, and some, like the Passamaquoddy, still do today.

Lewis Mitchell's Political Work

Lewis Mitchell was a leader for his tribe in the government. He is most famous for a speech he gave in 1887 to the Maine State Legislature. In his speech, he talked about old agreements, called treaties. These treaties promised land to the Passamaquoddy people. Mitchell used these treaties to argue that the government should let the Passamaquoddy people hunt and fish on their own land. Some people say Mitchell was the first tribal member to write in the Passamaquoddy language.

Lewis Mitchell's Writings and Translations

Many of Mitchell's original writings were lost in a fire in 1911 at John Dyneley Prince's house. Prince then asked Mitchell to rewrite these documents from memory. Prince and Mitchell worked together often. Earlier in his life, Mitchell also helped Charles Leland with his book, The Algonquin Legends of New England, published in 1884.

Mitchell used Leland's book a lot to rewrite old Wabanaki stories. These stories were about the adventures of Koluskap, a hero in Wabanaki tales. Most of Mitchell's new versions were translations of Leland's English work into Passamaquoddy. However, Leland's original translations had a strong bias. He believed the Wabanaki people were connected to the Norse people (from Scandinavia). So, some of his translations were changed to fit this idea.

It is also said that Mitchell was the first person to write down and keep records in the Passamaquoddy language. He even used his own way of spelling and writing. John Dyneley Prince and Lewis Mitchell often switched between their native languages in their work. For example, one chapter would be written by Lewis in Passamaquoddy, and the next would be Prince's English version.

An Example of Mitchell's Translations

Here is a part of Mitchell's translations:

What the Excerpt Means

This part of the text shows lyrics about calling spirits and animals. Lewis Mitchell was a respected member of his community. He stayed connected to his people's traditional stories and beliefs. Mitchell was known as a very smart man. He was one of the few who could write and translate between Wabanaki and English.

He was a member of the Maine State Legislature and spoke in court to protect Passamaquoddy rights. Other important people, like Leland and Prince, often asked for his advice. At the same time, he also published traditional stories, like those of Koluskap. He did this alongside his official letters and documents for the government. This shows that Mitchell could keep his important position in both his own community and among white people. He wrote stories that some might see as fictional, but he stayed true to his heritage. He also strongly supported the Passamaquoddy people. Mitchell was known for being professional while also honoring his culture. He kept this respect among his friends, colleagues, and even those who disagreed with him, no matter their background.

His Native writings show his cultural background and a different way of expressing things, especially compared to the white world. For Native Americans, these stories, poems, and songs are very important. They are just as important, if not more, than any court system. Indigenous peoples, like the Passamaquoddy and the larger Wabanaki group, have passed down this knowledge for generations.

Lewis Mitchell's Personal Life

Besides his government work and writing, Mitchell was also known for his amazing canoeing skills. During hunting season, people would hire Mitchell to take them to places where they could hunt porpoises and seals. The canoes he used and built were made from white birch bark.

According to a newspaper from July 1881, the Mount Desert Herald, Mitchell set a record. He traveled 60 miles in just 12 hours around Mount Desert Island in Maine. One time, people on a tugboat saw Mitchell waving his arms. They thought he was in trouble, but he just needed a book of matches! This practice was part of what was known as the Canoe Club. The Passamaquoddy people were famous for their skill in building and using these traditional paddles and canoes. Lewis Mitchell was not only respected for his writing and his work in government, but he was also a skilled and honored man in his community, known for his cultural knowledge.