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