TORONTO, FEBRUARY 27, 2011 /CNW/ - Born in 1768, son of Pucksinwah and Methoataske, leader of an aboriginal tribe, Tecumseh became a Canadian hero. He is ranked 37th among the greatest Canadians because he played a very important role in the 1800s. He is mostly known for Tecumseh’s War and the War of 1812.
Tecumseh’s War
In 1808, Tecumseh became the Shawnee Chief. Because, at the time, the United States wanted to claim land and the native people were at risk of losing their new homes, the great leader of the Shawnee, Tecumseh, decided to forge an alliance with the Americans, in order to keep his territory. In 1809, Tecumseh was asked to sign the Treaty of Fort Wayne, and he refused. He disagreed because he thought that he had to have permission from all the leaders of the aboriginal tribes. Since his wishes were not respected, he did not sign the treaty, believing it was illegal. In 1810, Tecumseh travelled to the southern United States to look for a group of people who would support him with respect to the treaty. In 1811, he had still not returned from his trip. So, he was absent at the time of Harrison’s attack, a small war that did not go well for the aboriginal people. To make up for that loss, Tecumseh forged an alliance with the British when he returned from the United States, and there began the fighting against the colony that he had just betrayed.
The War of 1812
The War of 1812 is of great importance to Canadians. Had the United States won this battle, we would not have this territory or our great variety of cultures, and we probably would not have this wide range of languages, like French. The British, led by Sir Isaac Brock, defended us during the war, but Tecumseh and his men backed them when the Americans wanted to expand to the west. Tecumseh knew that they would lose all their native land if the Americans won the battle. He then devised a tactic that served them well during the war, especially in Detroit. While the British soldiers advanced straight ahead, the Shawnee warriors fired from a nearby wood as they systematically circled around, making themselves appear more numerous than they were. Although General Brock was killed, this fight was a key victory for the successes to come.
The End of Tecumseh’s Success
“Today, General Procter knew that the Americans were ready to attack. To stay safe, Procter brought his men together, and beat a retreat, and I am doing the same. Although most of us are ill, we will still fight near the Thames River. It took us many hours to travel to the battle site, Moraviantown. Today is October 5 (1813) and not another minute will be wasted. As soon as our allies, the British, stepped onto the battlefield, the Americans charged against their many rows of soldiers. My warriors and I hid in a marsh on the side of the road. Oh no! They can see us! Attack! …” (invented monologue based on historical facts)
On that day, Tecumseh died defending the native lands of Canada. His body was removed from the site by the Shawnee, but his burial place is confidential.