On Friday, June 26, three members of the Issues Group attended this enlightening event at George Brown College’s Waterfront campus. It was sponsored by native researchers of First Story Toronto concerning the early history of the Hurons of the Humber and the Mississaugas of the Credit. Native university researcher Zachary Smith introduced maps of both the Hurons and Iroquois showing trade routes which existed in North America long before the arrival of the white man. He explained how the Iroquois saw the French as their friends and the English as their enemy at the end of the Seven Years War because their treaties with the French were also shattered by the conquest. We were shown a copy of the King’s Proclamation of 1763 claiming the land for England and ensuring British culture would become dominant. Under Governor James Simcoe virtually all of the historic native place names in Upper Canada were replaced with English ones during the 1790s! This was a different twist to our old classroom lessons and more were to follow. When the war with America was fought at Niagara, General Brock had only some 1,500 English soldiers, but was largely supported by his ally Tecumseh who brought warriors from some 35 tribes.
The most spellbinding speaker was Brian Charles of Georgina Island who had brought many copies of wampum belts with him. [See accompanying photo.] They recorded native treaties over several centuries in North America. We learned from the background colour whether the belt was made in a period of conflict or peace - purple for troubled times, white for peace. The beads used in the creation of the wampum belts were made from sea shells extracted from the Atlantic. Brian referred to these belts as representing “200 years of wampum diplomacy.”
After the break several further activities took place. Singing by both an indigenous female singer and a couple of male singers was most interesting. The insistent drumbeat of the powwow accompanied their songs. In addition, a special cantata had been commissioned that integrated the European style of operatic singing and indigenous singing with accompanying instrumental music and a chorus. This was most interesting from a musical point of view and also the lyrics chosen to reflect feelings about the local treaties.
The session was brought to a close by a prayer by a member of the Six Nations Band.
By Joan Barrett and Elaine Sutherns
The most spellbinding speaker was Brian Charles of Georgina Island who had brought many copies of wampum belts with him. [See accompanying photo.] They recorded native treaties over several centuries in North America. We learned from the background colour whether the belt was made in a period of conflict or peace - purple for troubled times, white for peace. The beads used in the creation of the wampum belts were made from sea shells extracted from the Atlantic. Brian referred to these belts as representing “200 years of wampum diplomacy.”
After the break several further activities took place. Singing by both an indigenous female singer and a couple of male singers was most interesting. The insistent drumbeat of the powwow accompanied their songs. In addition, a special cantata had been commissioned that integrated the European style of operatic singing and indigenous singing with accompanying instrumental music and a chorus. This was most interesting from a musical point of view and also the lyrics chosen to reflect feelings about the local treaties.
The session was brought to a close by a prayer by a member of the Six Nations Band.
By Joan Barrett and Elaine Sutherns