Frances Nickawa was a gifted orator and performer of the 1920s. Born in York Factory, Manitoba, in 1898, she was sent to residential school at the age of three after her father died, and adopted by a teacher. From a very young age, she showed great talent for public speaking. By 1919 she was giving Indigenous-themed solo performances in which she recited poetry, recounted Indigenous legends, and portrayed Indigenous characters. Her performances were compared to those of Pauline Johnson, the popular Mohawk-Canadian poet. Nickawa's stage career took her across Canada, and then to Australia and England. In May of 1928, she suffered a collapse, and died later that year. This photo was taken at a performance in Toronto on January 4, 1926. Globe and Mail Fonds 1266, Item 6902 #IndigenousPeoplesMonth #NIHM2025 #TOHistory #TorontoArchives