Legends of the Capilano
Overview
Bringing the Legends home
Legends of the Capilano updates E. Pauline Johnson’s 1911 classic Legends of Vancouver, restoring Johnson’s intended title for the first time. This new edition celebrates the storytelling abilities of Johnson’s Skwxwú7mesh (Squamish) collaborators, Joe and Mary Capilano, and supplements the original fifteen legends with five additional stories narrated solely or in part by Mary Capilano, highlighting her previously overlooked contributions to the book.
Alongside photographs and biographical entries for E. Pauline Johnson, Joe Capilano, and Mary Capilano, editor Alix Shield provides a detailed publishing history of Legends since its first appearance in 1911. Interviews with literary scholar Rick Monture (Mohawk) and archaeologist Rudy Reimer (Skwxwú7mesh) further considers the legacy of Legends in both scholars’ home communities. Compiled in consultation with the Mathias family, the direct descendants of Joe and Mary Capilano and members of the Skwxwú7mesh Nation, this edition reframes, reconnects, and reclaims the stewardship of these stories.
Reviews
"Shield has skilfully opened up a new avenue to the past with potentially wide ranging appeal both to scholars and students and to general readers."
Jean Barman, University of British Columbia
About the Authors
Table of Contents
List of Figures
Foreword
Author's Foreword to the 1911 Edition
Introduction
The Two Sisters
The Siwash Rock
The Recluse
The Lost Salmon Run
The Deep Waters
The Sea-Serpent
The Lost Island
Point Grey
The Tulameen Trail
The Grey Archway
Deadman's Island
A Squamish Legend of Napoleon
The Lure in Stanley Park
Deer Lake
A Royal Mohawk Chief
The Legend of the Two Sisters
The Legend of the Squamish Twins
The Legend of the Seven Swans
The Legend of Lillooet Falls
The Legend of the Ice Babies
Interview with Rick Monture
Interview with Rudy Reimer
Glossary
Acknowledgements
Notes
Selected Bibliography
