Grey Owl’s Wife

Although the name of Grey Owl is still well known, the name of Anahareo, his Algonquian/Mohawk wife who played a key role in his transformation from trapper to spokesperson for the wilderness, is not. Popular fascination with Grey Owl’s strange tale of inventing an aboriginal identity for himself, even though he was born and raised in Hastings, England, has long overshadowed her story. Kristin Gleeson’s new book, Anahareo: Wilderness Spirit, brings into focus the life and works of this complex, independent woman, her bravery in confronting and overcoming the social stigmas of her time, and the role she played in advocating for conservation and animal rights in Canada.

Using detailed archival and genealogical research as well as interviews with some of Anahareo’s relatives, Gleeson brings forward new information on Anahareo’s family background. Her mother, Mary, was an...