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Books Myths and Legends of the New, The Iroquois Silver Bro, Sheaves: A Collection of Poems | ||
Harriet Maxwell Converse (née, Harriet Arnot Maxwell; Seneca clan name, Gayaneshaoh; Seneca tribal name, Ya-ih-wah-non or Gaiiwanoh; 11 January 1836 - 18 November 1903) was an American author of Scottish and Irish heritage. She was a folklorist, Native American civil rights advocate, and a Six-Nation chief.
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Early years
Harriet Maxwell Converse was born in Elmira, New York, in 1836, daughter of Thomas Maxwell, vice-president of the Erie Railroad, and Maria Purdy Maxwell. Her father and grandfather, Guy Maxwell, had been Indian traders; both were adopted by members of the Seneca Nation. Her mother died when Converse was young, and she was sent to live with an aunt in Milan, Ohio, where she attended school.
Career
In 1883 she published her first volume of poems, Sheaves (New York City, 1883), which passed through several editions. Converse was an industrious writer of prose and a contributor to several magazines and newspapers. Among her works written are the historical volumes, The Religious Festivals of the Iroquois Indians and Mythology and Folk Lore of the North American Indians.
She was a member of a delegation to Albany, New York in 1891 to oppose a bill before the New York State Assembly which would have deprived the Iroquois of their lands. The bill was defeated in committee. Before the hearing of the Iroquois by the committee, Converse had been invited to sit in their Six-Nation Council held in Albany, an honor never before bestowed upon a white woman, save Mary Jemison. After the bill was defeated, the Seneca National Council was convened at Carrollton, in the Allegany Reservation. During this session, a motion was made that the Council make Converse as a legal member of the Seneca Nation. The motion was passed by the Council.
Personal life
In 1881, a member of the Snipe clan adopted her as a member of their family. proceeded, conducted by a head chief of the Snipe clan, of which Converse had been made a family member in 1881. At the adoption, she was given a Seneca name, "Gayaneshaoh".