Eleanor Dieter Brass (May 1, 1905 – May 20, 1992) was a Canadian writer of Cree and Saulteaux origins. She was an advocate for First Nations youth, and wrote about her community's traditions and history, especially in her autobiography, I Walk in Two Worlds (1987).
Eleanor Brass | |
|---|---|
 Eleanor Brass, from a 1956 newspaper | |
| Born | May 1, 1905 Peepeekisis Reserve, Saskatchewan |
| Died | May 20, 1992 (age 87 years) Regina, Saskatchewan |
| Occupation(s) | Writer, government official, puppeteer |
| Notable work | I Walk in Two Worlds (1987) |
Early life
editEleanor Dieter was born on the Peepeekisis Cree Nation reserve in Saskatchewan, the daughter of Frederick Charles Dieter and Marybelle Cote.[1][2] Her great-grandfather was Chief Gabriel Cote.[3] Her parents had both attended residential schools. She recalled many instances of abusive treatment at the File Hills residential school,[3][4][5] and later attended a high school in Canora, but did not graduate.[6]
Career
editBrass, a provincial official working on employment and housing issues,[2][7][8] was the first woman to serve as secretary-treasurer of the Association of Indians of Saskatchewan, when she assumed that post in 1944. She was also a receptionist and teacher at the Regina YWCA.[9][10] She wrote a column, "Breaking the Barriers", for The Regina Leader, beginning in 1949.[3] She wrote another column, "Teepee Tidings", for the Melville Advance.[2] She helped to set up Native Friendship Centres in cities, to welcome First Nations young people to transition from rural to urban life.[1]
In retirement, she was director of the Peace River Friendship Centre,[9] and wrote a monthly column, "Eleanor's North", for Alberta Native Communication. She wrote three books (the last, Off the Buckskin,[3] was left unfinished at the time of her death).[6] In 1991 she received an honorary doctorate from the University of Toronto, in recognition of her community work and writings.[11] In 2021, a new edition of her first book was published, with new illustrations by Aleigha Agecoutay, and a new title, under the supervision of her niece, Patricia Dieter-McArthur.[12]
Publications
editPersonal life
editDieter married fellow Peepeekisis Cree Nation member Alexander Hector Brass in 1925. Her husband died in 1965,[3][9] and Eleanor Brass died in 1992, aged 87 years, in Regina.[6]
References
edit- ^ a b Dieter-Brooks, Sandra (1992). "Eleanor Brass dies at 87". Ammsa.com. Retrieved 2022-07-30.
- ^ a b c Nelson-Mile, Amy (1998-11-08). "She fought racism with her pen". Regina Sun. p. 38. Retrieved 2022-07-30 – via Newspapers.com.
- ^ a b c d e Cooper, Andy (1987-10-24). "Brass not embittered by prejudice". The Leader-Post. p. 25. Retrieved 2022-07-30 – via Newspapers.com.
- ^ Commission de vérité et réconciliation du Canada (2016-01-01). Canada's Residential Schools: The History, Part 1, Origins to 1939: The Final Report of the Truth and Reconciliation Commission of Canada, Volume I. McGill-Queen's Press - MQUP. pp. 187–189. ISBN 978-0-7735-9818-8.
- ^ The Truth and Reconciliation Commission of Canada, They Came for the Children: Canada, Aboriginal Peoples, and Residential Schools (2012): 50.
- ^ a b c Coneghan, Daria. "Brass, Eleanor (1905–92)". Indigenous Saskatchewan Encyclopedia, University of Saskatchewan. Retrieved 2022-07-30.
- ^ "Understanding homes asked for Indian girls". The Leader-Post. 1968-08-22. p. 13. Retrieved 2022-07-30 – via Newspapers.com.
- ^ "DNR branch increased". The Leader-Post. 1966-09-19. p. 2. Retrieved 2022-07-30 – via Newspapers.com.
- ^ a b c Warick, Ruth (1972-06-10). "Indian, Metis welfare stressed by director". The Leader-Post. p. 9. Retrieved 2022-07-30 – via Newspapers.com.
- ^ Brass, Alex and Eleanor (1956-09-29). "Regina Indians answer criticisms of their race; urge education, mixing". The Leader-Post. p. 13. Retrieved 2022-07-30 – via Newspapers.com.
- ^ "Indian author gets honor". The Leader-Post. 1991-06-18. p. 20. Retrieved 2022-07-30 – via Newspapers.com.
- ^ Opheim, Dawn (October 29, 2021). "peepeekisis ātayōhkēwina = Sacred Stories of Peepeekisis Cree Nation". CM: Canadian Review of Materials. Retrieved 2022-07-30.
- ^ Brass, Eleanor (1967-01-07). "Indians no longer reticent in future role". The Leader-Post. p. 2. Retrieved 2022-07-30 – via Newspapers.com.
- ^ Brass, Eleanor (1979). Medicine Boy and Other Cree Tales. Glenbow Museum. ISBN 978-0-919224-04-9.
- ^ Brass, Eleanor (1987). I Walk in Two Worlds. Glenbow Museum. ISBN 978-0-919224-67-4.
- ^ Brass, Eleanor; Deiter-McArthur, Pat (2021). Peepeekisis Ātayōhkēwina: Sacred Stories of Peepeekisis Cree Nation. Your Nickel's Worth Publishing. ISBN 978-1-988783-63-5.