Essayist portrays historic Michigan family

Essayist Kathleen Stocking talked about one of the most important
characters in Michigan history Tuesday evening in the Bovee University
Center’s Lake Ontario Room.

Stocking, a writer for almost 52 years, has discovered the story
behind Henry S. Schoolcraft and his wife Jane Johnston Schoolcraft.

“He is such a historical figure in Michigan,” Stocking said. “There
are streets, a college and a county named after him.”

Despite his wife being of American Indian decent, Schoolcraft did
not like their culture — but pretended to.

“He was both praising and negative toward them,” Stocking said. “He
was a little schizophrenic when it came to Indians.”

Schoolcraft had the job of being both an American Indian government
agent and an explorer. Stocking said he was not an easy man to
understand.

“He was not someone you could take to heart,” she said.

Stocking explained the life of Schoolcraft and how much of his
writing came from similar creations by his wife whom he did not give
credit to.

“It seems to me that he rendered her invisible,” English Professor
Daniel Patterson said during group discussion.

Stocking also talked about the importance of integrating mixed
relationships.

“It’s about time to recognize that we were always diverse,” Stocking
said. “The generations coming along are very mixed.”

Stocking’s powerful message was well received by the faculty
gathered for her speech.

“I read Kathy’s two books and I wanted to hear what she’s recently
developed,” Patterson said. “I knew she was a good essayist.”

Stocking has been writing since she was 8 years old. She began her
research of Schoolcraft in 1976 at the Traverse City Record Eagle.

“Much of my research was done through interlibrary loans,” Stocking
said.

Stocking began her research by reading the Encyclopedia of Indians
and wanted to understand what Schoolcraft was trying to do. Stocking,
being of American Indian decent herself, was interested in the history
and developed a career of trying to discover the man behind Michigan.