Moocheweines - Canadian Patriotic Fund

Native American and Canadian Patriotic Fund Poster.jpg

Dublin Core

Title

Moocheweines - Canadian Patriotic Fund

Subject

Charitable Donations

Description

Canadian Patriotic Fund poster featuring a First Nations pictorial landscape. A Native man, Moo-che-we-in-es, is prominently in the foreground holding a letter full of obscure symbols in one hand and money in the other. Below the money his letter is translated as, "Onion Lake Indian Reserve, Saskatchewan, Dec. 4th, 1916 Sir Herbert B. Ames, Ottawa Greetings: You asked me to tell you a story about how it came into my mind to pay a little towards 'War Money.' I heard there was a big war going on over there and I feel like I want to help you some way and the best I can do is to send a little money for I can't go myself as I am nearly blind. This is to show you I like to help you. I am an Indian. I heard that other Indians were going to give 25c. each out of their treaty money. I give $1.50 out of money from the Government for beef I sell the agency. I am about 50 years old and my wife and two sons are living with me and my son's wife and her child. That is the way I make up that $1.50 - - 25c. each for six. I shake hands to you, Moo-che-we-in-es".
This poster is a rare example of Natives in World War I propaganda posters. The audience that the poster was directed towards was not any First Nations people, instead the image of a Native man giving money for the Canadian Patriotic Fund was meant to inspire donations by shaming white males. The poster significantly is based on an actual event. However, the portrayal of Moocheweines is not based on reality, but is seeped in stereotypical imagery and language. The title of the poster, "MOO-CHE-WE-IN-ES. PALE FACE, MY SKIN IS DARK BUT MY HEART IS WHITE. FOR I ALSO GIVE TO CANADIAN PATRIOTIC FUND," were not what was said by Moocheweines. Also, it is important to note that Moocheweines sent the letter to the Canadian Patriotic Fund in legible English and not as he is portrayed holding a fictional letter of gibberish.

Creator

Unknown

Source

Imperial War Museum London
Lambeth Road
London
SE1 6HZ

Publisher

Howell Lithographic, Hamilton
Canadian Patriotic Fund

Date

1916-1917

Rights

This image is used under non-commercial licence.
The media for this item are free to reuse for non-commercial purposes under the IWM Non Commercial Licence. © IWM (Art.IWM PST 12495)

Format

Poster - paper medium: lithograph

Dimensions Support: Height 1026 mm, Width 695 mm
Mount: Height 556 mm, Width 783 mm

Language

English

Identifier

Art.IWM PST 12495

Coverage

Canada
Great Britain