war of 1812 monument ‘the spirit of alliance” ‘promises’ · war of 1812 monument ‘the...

War of 1812 Monument ‘The Spirit of Alliance- Promises’ A Stimson, I Grove, J-S Gauthier

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WAR OF 1812 MONUMENT ‘THE SPIRIT OF ALLIANCE”

‘PROMISES’

Commissioned by the Whitecap Dakota First Nation Gifted to The City of Saskatoon

Conceived and Created by

Adrian Stimson, Ian (Happy) Grove and Jean-Sebastien Gauthier

December 16, 2013


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‘THE SPIRIT OF ALLIANCE’ Currently, so little is taught about the many different allies from the western plains that came together to fight for a common cause under the British Colonial Army. We would like to acknowledge and express our deepest gratitude to the Whitecap Dakota Frist Nation for awarding this monument project to us, and giving us the opportunity to bring these alliances to light, in such a way that they may be honoured and may never be forgotten. DEFINITON OF ALLY/ALLIANCE Ally, v., A state of formally cooperating with another for some purpose often military, typically by treaty. A person or organization that cooperates or helps another in a particular activity. Combine or unite a resource or commodity with another for mutual benefit. Origin, Middle English, from the old French ‘Aliere’, from Latin ‘alligare’ – ‘bind together’ Alliance, n., A union or association formed for mutual benefit, especially between countries or organizations. A relationship based on affinity in interests, nature, or qualities. A state of being joined or associated. The spirit of an alliance can be seen in the ways these mutually beneficial aspects are realized. When the spirit of the alliance is honoured all parties feel they have contributed and benefitted. This mutually beneficial spirit was inherent in the treaties between the First Nations of North America and the European newcomers prior to the signing of the Treaty of Ghent in 1814, but changed substantially from that point forward. The Dakota Nations (Dakota, Lakota, and Nakota, known collectively as the Oyate), and other allies such as the French, Germans, Italians, and others, played a significant role as allies of the British in the early 1800’s. At that time the European British armed forces were stretched thin due to the Napoleonic wars and other conflicts. The British needed to create alliances with those who lived in North America in order to fight against the United States of America’s expansionist notion of ‘Manifest Destiny’. The Oyate purposely allied with the British in the defense of their traditional territory and the lands west of the Mississippi. Specifically, their support was integral from Michilimackinac above Lake Huron to Green Bay, down the Mississippi River basin to Prairie du Chien. This area includes parts of what are Ontario, Michigan, Wisconsin, Illinois and Minnesota today. Around this time a large number of aboriginal cultures in the western part of the continent joined into what became know as the Western (Indian) Nations alliance with the British. Many alliances and treaties were established.


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In spite of the treaties when it came time to negotiate peace, First Nations and the other allies were left out of these agreements. The Americans and the British decided on territories and a land base for themselves, but there was no agreement on a land base for the Oyate. This marked the beginning of the dramatic shift that followed for all First Nations, and most allies of the British found south of the 49th parallel. In the minds of First Nations people these treaty promises were solemn. With the signing of the Treaty of Ghent in 1814, however, the Crown’s promises were left unfulfilled. The Territory of the Western Nations was handed over to the Americans, effectively leaving the rights and privileges of these existing nations unprotected, ie finding yourself within enemy territory. British Commander Lieutenant-Colonel McDougall was one of the most vocal opponents to the abandonment of the Western Nation allies. Vehemently opposed to the British surrender of Prairie du Chien to the Americans, he expressed his view to Sir Anthony Murray that the Americans were in violation of article 9 of the Treaty of Ghent, and asserted that this territory had always belonged to members of the Western Nations. He wrote:

“My perplexity is as great as ever, as to the order, sent me through Lt. Col. Harvey, to give up Fort McKay and the Prairie des Chiens, to the Americans, as the ninth article of the Treaty affords the most clear and circumstantial evidence that the great extent of the Country from the Mississippi, so shamefully seized upon, by the Americans in June last, & from which they were expelled in the ensuing month, reverts again to the Indians, as it is expressly stipulated that they are restored to all the possessions, rights, & privileges, which they enjoyed in 1811. “

He went on to state:

“Instead of the flattering promises, which I was so lately instructed to make to them, being realized, the Whole Country is given up. A breach of faith, is with them an utter abomination & never forgotten” Lieutenant-Colonel McDougall’s words indicate the blatant disregard of promises to protect sovereignty, territory, rights and privileges of these allies. “ This monument will be a legacy piece, forever illuminating the roles of not only the Dakota Oyate, but of all allies who pledged to support the British in North America in defense against the United States of America’s expansionist aggression at that time.


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‘The Spirit of Alliance’ Promises

image of Maquette A

Both of these sculpture options will reflect a positive moment at the creation of the treaty, in the time prior to 1812. Within these maquettes the figures are in positions of exchange and attention towards each other, with the seal of promise based upon the exchange of gifts that would happen at the time of making treaty promises, and other alliances. The promises being made are of support from the Oyate and other western First Nations groups, and also Germans, Italians, Metis and the French of this area, to the British Crown to fight against American expansion, in exchange for support in maintaining the current territories being threatened by the American forces. There is a strong, positive and honoured history of treaties that were made


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between the European explorers and existing First Nations in North America prior to this time frame. The exchange depicted is located within the form of the teepee, as a metaphor for home, safety, and balance. The teepee is straddling the ‘Medicine Line’, or the geopolitical boarder between current day Canada and the United States of America as set out previous to, and then confirmed by the 1814 Treaty of Ghent. Traditional Oyate territory, (home), spans both sides of this line. This traditional territory generally spanned from the southern US, up the Mississippi River, west to the great plains, and north to approximately Prince Albert, Saskatchewan. This sculpture honours the moment where new alliances are made, existing alliances are reconfirmed and honoured, all for the mutual benefit of each. It should be noted that Totwin was married to Dickson, and the sister of Chief Red Thunder. This reveals that these alliances went deeper than the treaties, there were marriage and blood ties as well. MONUMENT COMPONENTS Teepee, bronze

• Analogy of Home, symbol of unity, balance, safety, warmth. The teepee straddles the medicine line showing that the line is an overlay, dissecting existing territories without attention or consideration to those living in these areas.

• Medicine Line, Steel, allowed to rust, with petroglyphic symbols engraved/cut into it

• 49th Parallel, basically re-established by the Treaty of Ghent in 1814 as the boundary between what is now Canada and the USA. Due to this, the traditional territory of the Oyate was divided by this arbitrary geopolitical line. None of the Allies with whom the British made treaties participated in the making of the Treaty of Ghent, thus creating a situation where many British allies in North America were often now ‘behind enemy lines’.

The Gifts: Maquette A, Blankets, Flags, Medals, bronze

• The gifts are being exchanged in a personal intimate manner, with both the giver and receiver in harmonic balance. The gifts were given on behalf of the British Crown to those being allied with, including the western First Nations, and other people living in the area, including but not limited to the French traders, Italians, Germans, Metis to name a few. The Dakota revered these gifts as symbols of their commitment, and kept the medals with great care.

The Gifts: Maquette B, Blankets, Flags, Medals, Rifles, bronze

• The gifts are a symbol of the binding of the treaty intent. The gifts were given on behalf of the British Crown to those being allied with, including the western First Nations, and other people living in the area, including but not limited to the French traders, Italians, Germans, Metis to name a few. The Dakota revered these gifts as symbols of their commitment, and kept the


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medals with great care. In particular the medals were kept as an honoured symbol of the alliances made.

Chief Wabasha IV: Dakota Captain, War Chief, bronze

• Wabasha IV was the leader of the Mdewakanton, also referred to as The Leaf, or Red Leaf. He played a key role as an ally to the British in the War of 1812. Previously Wabasha’s father was commissioned a British General for his role in the American Revolution. Wabasha IV was responsible for raising many Oyate supporters. Alongside these supporters he participated in key battles during the war of 1812, including Mackinac, Detroit, Fort Meigs, and Fort Stevenson. Wabasha IV was an important spokesperson for the Dakota before, during and following the war. He received a medal for his participation in the war of 1812. Wabasha IV would have been one of the many Western Nation Chiefs with whom Robert Dickson would create alliances with on behalf of the British Crown.

Ista Totowin, (Helen Dickson), Dakota. Bronze

• Totowin, sister of the Dakota chief Red Thunder, married Robert Dickson in 1797 after he courted her for over a decade. They had 4 or perhaps 5 children together. It is very important to the Whitecap Dakota First Nation to reveal and honour the role that women played in support of their fathers, brothers, sons and husbands going to war, and in fact as combatants in some instances themselves. During the war of 1812 many families stayed with Totowin and her children while the men were away fighting for the British. It was a difficult time with little food or protection. After the Treaty of Ghent the family lived in what was now American Territory and had many difficulties as British allies. In 1823 Robert Dickson died suddenly, and afterwards Helen, along with her children, followed her eldest son William. Ten years later Totowin and her children were running a trading post on Dickson’s old trading routes near St. Pierre.

Col Robert Dickson, Bronze

• Robert Dickson was also called Pahinsa or the Read Head by the Dakota. A Scottish trader working with Richard Cartwright, originally Dickson was sent to Michilimackinac (Mackinac Island, Michigan) in July 1786 ‘to learn the art and mystery of commerce.” At the time of Pike’s expedition at the beginning of the nineteenth century, Dickson had both Ojibwe territory trading posts and Dakota territory trading posts. Dickson married Totowin, the sister of Dakota Chief Red Thunder, after a courtship that took almost a decade and much assistance from his associate Chief Wabasha. In the War of 1812 Dickson’s role cannot be overstated: he was the liaison between the Western Indians and the British, and with the help of Chief Wabasha and Little Crow he was able to raise a force of nearly all the descendants of the of the British Allies in the American Revolution, including the Sauk, Fox, Winnibego and Pottawatomi. He eventually became the Indian Agent for the territory west of Lake Huron in January 1814. Dickson spent 10 years courting Totowin in


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order to win her hand in marriage. He had deep loving ties with the Dakota people and in all ways sought to work with, rather than against the people and family he so greatly desired to enter into.

At the time of the signing of the treaties Dickson spoke on behalf of the British King, saying:

My Children with this Belt [of wampum] I call upon you to rouse up your young warriors and to join my troops with the Red coats and our ancient brethren, who are also my Children, in order to defend your and our country…. This must be told in a voice of thunder that the object of war is to secure to the Indian Nations the boundaries of their territories….

Dickson was responsible for the vast majority of the Western Nations support for the British at this time. Figure Proximities Maquette A

• Col Dickson and Chief Wabasha are facing each other, exchanging the gifts. The positions of each show an equitable exchange, fair and open.

• Ista Totowin (Helen Dickson) has one of her children, holding hands, (Robert Dickson the father) to show integration and cross cultural love, respect and support.

• The exchange happens within the teepee, with the Dakota traditional 13 poles, and over the ‘medicine line’ the boarder between the USA and Canada today. This locates the Oyate and highlights the nature of boarders when applied over traditional cultural areas.

• Depending on budget considerations there will be a horse outside the teepee structure, to hounour loyalty, power, value, and the Oyate’s deepest respect for this animal.

Figure Proximities Maquette B

• Col Dickson and Chief Wabasha are shown shaking hands to honour the treaty commitment. They are facing each other, again showing an equitable exchange, fair and open.

• Ista Totowin (Helen Dickson) is shown carrying one of her children with Robert Dickson. This again exemplifies the integrated nature of these cross cultural relationships, showing love, respect and support for the good of all.

• The gifts are shown in a traditional manner, piled on the ground, with the rifles making teepee like patterns as they lean against each other.

• The exchange happens within the teepee, with the Dakota traditional 13 poles, and over the ‘medicine line’ the boarder between the USA and Canada today. This locates the Oyate and highlights the nature of boarders when applied over traditional cultural areas.

• Depending on budget considerations there will be a horse outside the teepee structure, to hounour loyalty, power, value, and the Oyate’s deepest respect for this animal.


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• Gifts given on behalf of the British Crown to those being allied with, including the western First Nations, and other people living in the area, including but not limited to the French traders, Italians, Germans, Metis to name a few. The Dakota revered these gifts as symbols of their commitment, and kept the medals with great care. In particular the medals were kept as an honoured symbol of the alliances made.

INTERPRETIVE PANELS The Interpretive Panels hold the circle, and are integral to the illumination of this part of history. There will be four separate 30 inch high panels. They will be approximately 12 feet in length, curving to embed the essence of the circle yet again onto the site-the circle being an important spiritual component of the Oyate world view. The slightly sloping text and image surfaces will be approximately 18 inches in height. Each panel will illuminate a particular aspect of the monument.

• NORTH PANEL, MONUMENT DESCRIPTION basically expanded from the descriptions above.

• WEST PANEL, ALLIES AND DESCENDANTS Living ancestors, authenticity of descendants, from as many of the ally groups as possible. Research into this aspect will begin upon final approvals being received.


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• EAST PANEL, PETROGLYPHIC DECODING Decoding and explanations of the symbols and pictographic images embedded within the Medicine Line, referencing the Jeffers Pertoglyphs

• SOUTH PANEL, OYATE HISTORY from the period around 1812, the alliances, and the broken promises. One thread will explore the idea of finding oneself ‘within enemy territory’ despite being at home.

The panels will be fabricated from steel, and allowed to rust. The images and text will be either etched or cut into the steel. The panels will be located on the site so they relate to the 4 cardinal directions, North, East, South, West, and will have the respective Oyate colours painted onto the street facing side of each.

MONUMENT LOCATION

• The Whitecap Dakota First Nation’s Commemorative Memorial to the War of 1812 will be located within the traffic circle at the junction of Avenue A South and Spadina Crescent.

UNVEILING

• End August, 2014 at earliest

ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS We would like to thank the following for their support and contributions to this project:

• Whitecap Dakota First Nation Chief Darcy Bear, Chief and Council, Elder’s Committee, Grades 4,5 and 6 students, Stephanie Danyluk

• City of Saskatoon: On Purpose Leadership staff, Planning and Development, Transportation, Community Development Branch, Alejandro Romero Arts and Culture Consultant, Saskatoon Light and Power, Meewasin Valley Authority, City of Saskatoon Urban Design, Infrastructure Services,

• Allies: Electra Sales, Kirby Kotylak, Rempel Engineering, Cliff Rempel, The Epp-Gauthier Family Parks Bronze Foundry, Enterprise, Oregon USA

ARTISTS

• Adrian A Stimson 306.222.5784 • Ian (Happy) Grove 306.220.2289 • Jean-Sebastien Gauthier 306.371.8722

war of 1812 monument ‘the spirit of alliance” ‘promises’ · war of 1812 monument ‘the...

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