--- Begin Forwarded Message --- Date: Sat, 10 Jul 1999 22:31:24 -0500 From: "Anna A. Sylvan" <[log in to unmask]> Subject: Re: gitchmee-gumee <fwd> Sender: "Anna A. Sylvan" <[log in to unmask]> I don't know how authoritative this is but according to the text, Longfellow indeed called the Lake Superior Gitchie Gumee. http://www.chippewaboots.com/legend.html It stands to reason that a boot company that's been in business for almost a hundred years has more than a good instinct for survival. We call it Chippewa integrity. A commitment to quality and consistency. A skill in crafting the right style at the right time...always attractive, comfortable and durable. While the narrative epic "Song of Hiawatha" by Henry Wadsworth Longfellow, draws on history and Indian legend, it is also fictional. Hiawatha is a young Chippewa leader living near the south short of Lake Superior (Called Gitche Gumee). He triumphs in struggles with natural forces and with human and superhuman beings. He marries the lovely Minnehaha. Together, they rule with dignity and justice through periods of peace, plenty, and famine. Longfellow's creation in 1855 of this strong, humane Indian hero was an exceptionally positive portrayal of Native Americans for the poet's time and it soon became a best seller. The same kind of proud perseverance and legendary romanticism have also made Chippewa boots an American classic. Chippewa boots are best sellers because we settle for nothing less than the best every step of the way. Since 1901, we have continued right in step with tradition of the great Chippewa craftsmen. The Chippewa Boot Company has been refining and perfecting boot construction techniques for nearly 100 years. American ingenuity. American know-how. All inspired by some of America's earliest, most resourceful people, the Chippewa Indians. Even in today's world of space-age materials and techniques, superior American leathers treated properly still provide the greatest quality and performance the world around. Everywhere technology has made advancements in durability or traction or providing twice the toughness with one quarter the weight, Chippewa has enthusiastically incorporated these advantages into its boot construction. Whether traditional or ultra-modern materials, our bottom line is quality...in comfort and performance. Over the years we have placed concerns for function and style side by side, and the results have been admirable. We have achieved a truly incomparable Chippewa look, consistently fresh and unique in the market. True to the personality of the Chippewa culture that is our namesake, it is a no-nonsense, natural style, with a broken-in fold and rugged good looks. We couldn't be more in agreement with our Chippewa tradition, that products must be constructed to function well, and in that construction, there is great beauty. I hope this is helpful, Anna Johnnie Sutherland wrote: > --- Begin Forwarded Message --- > Date: Fri, 9 Jul 1999 22:05:05 EDT > From: [log in to unmask] > Subject: gitchmee-gumee > Sender: [log in to unmask] > > Hi, > I need help with a question for a reference class. I need to know which lake > is the one Longfellow referred to as Gitchee-Gumee. I know this is Lake > Superior, but where is that documented? Any atlas or dictionary? > Thanks to all, > Judy W. > --- End Forwarded Message --- --- End Forwarded Message ---