Legends of Vancouver - Classic Text | Alexandria
Among the most evocative literary portraits of Coast Salish territories and Vancouver's Indigenous heritage, "Legends of Vancouver" (1911) stands as a remarkable collection of narratives that bridges Indigenous oral traditions with early twentieth-century Canadian literature. Written by E. Pauline Johnson (Tekahionwake), a celebrated Mohawk poet and performer, the book emerged from her deep friendship with Chief Joe Capilano (Su-á-pu-luck) of the Squamish nation and other Indigenous storytellers of the region.
Originally published as a series of newspaper articles in the "Daily Province" magazine, these stories were compiled into book form as Johnson faced terminal illness, with friends and admirers organizing the publication to provide her financial support. The collection features fifteen legends, including the iconic "The Two Sisters" (explaining the formation of Vancouver's Twin Peaks, now known as The Lions) and "The Siwash Rock," which explores the spiritual significance of Stanley Park's famous stone sentinel.
Johnson's unique position as both insider and outsider to Indigenous traditions—being of mixed Mohawk and English heritage—allowed her to present these sacred stories with remarkable sensitivity and literary finesse. Her work represents one of the earliest attempts to preserve Coast Salish oral traditions in written form, though scholars note that the stories undergo a degree of literary transformation in their retelling. The narratives blend traditional Indigenous knowledge with romantic Victorian literary conventions, creating a distinctive hybrid form that appealed to both Native and non-Native audiences of the era.
The enduring significance of "Legends of Vancouver" extends beyond its literary merit. The work continues to influence contemporary understanding of Vancouver's Indigenous heritage and has inspired numerous artistic interpretations, heritage preservation efforts, and cultural tourism initiatives. Modern editions often include supplementary materials that contextualize Johnson's work within current discussions of Indigenous rights, cultural preservation, and reconciliation. The text remains a vital document in Canadian literary history, offering readers a unique window into the spiritual and cultural landscape of the Pacific Northwest as it existed at the dawn of the twentieth century.