''O-gi-maw-kwe Mit-i-gwa-ki (Queen of the Woods)'' is a novel by

Simon Pokagon Simon Pokagon ( 1830- January 28, 1899) was a member of the Pokagon Band of Potawatomi Indians, an author, and a Native American advocate. He was born near Bertrand in southwest Michigan Territory and died on January 28, 1899 in Hartford, Michi ...

, published in 1899 shortly after his death. The novel was written as a testimony to the

Potawatomi The Potawatomi , also spelled Pottawatomi and Pottawatomie (among many variations), are a Native American people of the western Great Lakes region, upper Mississippi River and Great Plains. They traditionally speak the Potawatomi language, a m ...

traditions, stability, and continuity in a rapidly changing society. Today, ''Queen of the Woods'' is read as Simon Pokagon's desire to mark the cultural, political, and social landscapes of the time, as well as a memorial to the past and a monument to the future, in which he saw the

Pokagon Band of Potawatomi Indians Pokagon Band of Potawatomi Indians ( Potawatomi: Pokégnek Bodéwadmik) are a federally recognized Potawatomi-speaking tribe based in southwestern Michigan and northeastern Indiana. Tribal government functions are located in Dowagiac, Michigan. ...

as distinct and honored people.

Summary

''Queen of the Woods'' begins as

returns from

Twinsburg, Ohio Twinsburg is a suburban city in Summit County, Ohio, United States, located about halfway between Akron and Cleveland. The population was 19,248 as of the 2020 census. It is part of the Akron metropolitan area. History In 1817 Ethan Alling, then ...

, where he went to school for several years. During the course of his adventures, he meets up with his friend Bertrand and they go hunting and fishing together. They head north to an abandoned

wigwam A wigwam, wickiup, wetu (Wampanoag), or wiigiwaam (Ojibwe, in syllabics: ) is a semi-permanent domed dwelling formerly used by certain Native American tribes and First Nations people and still used for ceremonial events. The term ''wickiup'' ...

, where Pokagon makes a birch-bark

canoe A canoe is a lightweight narrow water vessel, typically pointed at both ends and open on top, propelled by one or more seated or kneeling paddlers facing the direction of travel and using a single-bladed paddle. In British English, the term ...

. Pokagon then returns home to find his beloved Lonidaw and they marry. Afterwards, they travel to Lonidaw's wigwam and construct a new one. He also keeps the birch canoe for fishing and gathering

wild rice Wild rice, also called manoomin, Canada rice, Indian rice, or water oats, is any of four species of grasses that form the genus ''Zizania'', and the grain that can be harvested from them. The grain was historically gathered and eaten in both ...

. Years later, their son Olondaw leaves for school, but returns three years later and is an alcoholic. Soon afterwards, their daughter Hazeleye drowns when her canoe capsizes due to the reckless rowing of several drunk men in their canoe, exacerbating the tragedy of Olondaw's alcoholism. Lonidaw almost drowns trying to save Hazeleye and Pokagon is only able to carry Lonidaw, barely breathing, back to the wigwam. Lonidaw dies from grief as Pokagon watches the fireflies gather to guide his wife to her spirit home. As a result of these tragedies, and remembering his commitment to his wife to fight against alcohol for the rest of his life, Pokagon tries to carry on. He becomes very involved in the fight against alcoholism for the rest of his life.

References

{{Reflist Native American novels 1899 novels Potawatomi