Saskatoon War of 1812
Commemorative Monument Project
Background:
Events and activities commemorating the War of 1812 are meant to honour and acknowledge
the allies who fought with the British Crown in the defense of Canada. The project educates
Canadians on the participants of the War of 1812 whose descendants now reside in the Prairies,
and specifically the key role played by Aboriginal participants.
Whitecap Dakota First Nation [WDFN] has taken the lead in coordinating events and activities
commemorating the Bicentennial of the War of 1812. Central to this is the important role that
the Dakota played throughout this conflict, as well as the contribution of the other multicultural
allies who came together in the spirit of alliance.
Objective:
Whitecap Dakota First Nation plans to erect a monument in Saskatoon to recognize the War of
1812 as a milestone in the development of Canada. This monument will act as a legacy piece to
recognize the War of 1812 Bicentennial and the spirit of alliance. It will serve to establish an
“authenticity of persons” with respect to descendants of those in our community with ties to
the War of 1812.
The vision for the monument is to represent the multicultural allies who participated in the War
of 1812, and whose descendants now reside in our country’s prairie provinces. It will leave a
lasting legacy for Saskatoon and area residents and visitors, acting as a constant reminder of
the many partnerships and alliances that laid the foundation of our nation.
Whitecap Dakota First Nation worked in consultation with the City of Saskatoon’s Public Art
program and Visual Arts Placement Jury to develop a call for artists and determine a meaningful
location for the piece. Whitecap’s monument selection process involved a maquette and jury
process. Dedication and unveiling celebrations will engage the public, and convey the
importance of 1812 to our community history.
War of 1812 “Spirit of Alliance” Monument:
Historical background
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Represents the Spirit of Alliance that brought together many different cultural groups to protect
the future nation from invasion during the War of 1812.
Dakota territory included land on both sides of the modern day Canada-US political border—
monument helps dispel the myth that the Dakota are either “American Indians” or “refugees”.
Dakota-Crown alliance: Dakota and British had a long alliance prior to War of 1812, dating back
to wampum ceremonies in 1762; Includes the 1787 Peace and Friendship treaty.
Dakota honoured the treaty with the British, and acted as their military allies in the American
Revolution and the War of 1812.
Monument Components
Teepee: bronze
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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.
Figures : Dakota Chief Wabasha, Colonel Robert Dickson, Totowin, Helen Dickson
 The figures of Colonel Robert Dickson and Chief Wabasha straddle the Medicine Line. On behalf
of the British Crown, Colonel Dickson offers Chief Wabasha gifts of a blanket, a British flag, and
King George III medals.
 Totowin, a prominent Dakota woman who married Colonel Dickson, stands in witness along with
their daughter Helen, observing and supporting the gift exchange.
The Gifts: Blankets, Flags, Medals, bronze
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These gifts symbolize the binding of these nations and the commitment to work together to
protect their respective territories.
Medicine Line: Steel, with petroglyphic symbols engraved/cut into it
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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’.
Interpretive panels: Four panels surrounding the monument will tell the story of the multicultural allies
who also participated in the War of 1812 on the side of the British.