Tomah Joseph facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Tomah Joseph
|
|
|---|---|
A circa 1884 illustration on birch bark by Tomah Joseph of the hero Glooscap transforming a man, who wished to live forever, into a cedar tree
|
|
| Born | 1837 |
| Died | 1914 (aged 76–77) |
| Nationality | Passamaquoddy Tribe |
| Other names | Joseph Tomah, Tomah Josephs |
| Elected | governor of the Passamaquoddy Tribe |
| Patron(s) | Franklin D. Roosevelt |
Tomah Joseph (1837–1914) was a talented artist and a leader of the Passamaquoddy people. He lived in Maine, a state in the United States. He was also known as Joseph Tomah or Tomah Josephs.
Tomah Joseph was famous for his amazing artwork, especially his drawings on birch bark. He also taught the future US president, Franklin D. Roosevelt, how to paddle a canoe!
Contents
Who Was Tomah Joseph?
Tomah Joseph was born in 1837. His home was the Passamaquoddy Indian Township Reservation in eastern Maine. He married a woman named Hanna Lewey. They had a son named Sabattis in 1871.
During the summer, Tomah Joseph worked as a guide. He helped people explore the area around Campobello Island. This island is located in southwestern New Brunswick, Canada.
A Leader of His People
Tomah Joseph was an important leader for the Passamaquoddy Tribe. Around 1882, he was chosen to be the governor of his community. This meant he helped make decisions and guide his people.
Tomah Joseph's Art and Craft
Tomah Joseph was a very skilled artist and craftsman. He was especially good at making canoes from birch bark. One special canoe he made was for a young boy named Franklin D. Roosevelt. This canoe is now kept at the Roosevelt Campobello International Park.
What is Birch Bark Art?
Many of Tomah Joseph's artworks were called birchbark manuscripts. These are like stories or pictures drawn onto the smooth, thin layers of birch tree bark. It was a traditional way for Native American artists to share their culture and history.
Where to See His Work
Tomah Joseph's art is so important that it is displayed in famous museums. You can find his work in places like the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York City. His art is also at the Abbe Museum and the National Museum of the American Indian, which is part of the Smithsonian Institution.
In 1993, a special art show honored Tomah Joseph. It was called History on Birchbark: The Art of Tomah Joseph, Passamaquoddy. This show was held at the Haffenreffer Museum of Anthropology at Brown University.
