Foundation displays sword

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Alan Corbiere's mission is to bring the Anishinabek Nation's perspective to the history curriculum in education. The M'Chigeeng cultural researcher has been diligently compiling stories of unsung Aboriginal heroes.

Recently he presented some of his findings to an audience of Elders and community members at the Ojibwe Cultural Foundation (OCF) on Manitoulin Island. As a backdrop to his lecture he displayed replicas of original wampum belts and historically significant artifacts from the Canadian War Museum in Ottawa.

In what is considered to be a remarkable coup, Corbiere has acquired the sword of Mookomaanish. The weapon was presented to the Odawa warrior after the War of 1812. The British military was impressed with an act of mercy Mookomaanish performed when he spared the life of an American soldier.

Corbiere was aware of the existence of the weapon from his readings in historical archives. So on a trip to the Canadian War Museum he asked museum officials if he could see any swords associated with Native people.

"When they brought out the sword, I got so happy and excited, I asked them to set it aside so we could have a show at OCF," he said. "I sent the museum the story behind the sword and soon there were two way e-mails back and forth. At first they would not lend it, but I persuaded them to loan it for a limited time."

The sword is a concrete symbol of the Aboriginal people's past relationships with the British monarch, Corbiere explained. The silver sword and wampum belts tell a story of broken trust and betrayal from 1761 to the present time.

Up until 1761 the First Nations had accepted gifts from the King of France in return for their opposition to British forces. After the defeat of the French, however, the British sought the support of the Ojibwe.

In 1761 Minwewe, a chief at Mackinac Island, told Englishman Alexander Henry what would solidify an alliance. He explained that the King of England must offer "presents" as a gesture of friendship and as a way to end the state of war.

By 1764 the British finally accepted that presents were crucial for establishing and maintaining harmonious relationships. Sir William Johnson, superintendent of Indian Affairs for the Northern Department, persuaded his superiors that it was worth spending 20,000 English pounds annually to guarantee the security of the "extensive frontiers."

At this time Johnson presented a wampum belt to the First Nations gathered to witness the alliance. The belt known as the Covenant of Chains depicts two people holding hands as equals, with silver chains symbolizing the bond between the Ojibwe and the British. It was understood that if the chains ever became "tarnished," they would be "polished up" with words and gifts.

Another wampum belt was presented to the Odawa in 1786 to re-affirm the alliance, according to Corbiere.

The relationship deteriorated after the War of 1812 because the Ojibwe lost traditional lands to the Americans. Although the First Nations had supported the British against their common enemy, many chiefs felt betrayed.

Perhaps as a fence-mending measure, the British held a ceremony in 1815 to honour Mookomaanish, an Odawa chief, also known as Little Knife. He was presented with a sword in recognition of his "noble act of mercy and generosity." Mookomaanish had spared the life of an American soldier.

Within a few years the agreement between First Nations and the British had become further tarnished. At a gathering on Drummond Island in 1818, Chief Ocaita noted that British charity had dwindled and that the "warmth (presents)" had disappeared.

The chiefs called upon the British to listen to their grievances and to fulfill their promises of protection and supplies.

In 1829, Lt. Col. MacKay, superintendent of the Indian Department, assured the gathering of chiefs at St. Joseph's Island that the British would continue to "provide a means of support for generations yet unborn." Againthe First Nations were told that the English King's "bounty will be continued to all his faithful children."

By 1862 the British promise of protection was virtually withdrawn, said Corbiere. "The gifts became inferior. In the beginning there were rifles, cloth, awls, kettles, looking glasses, beads and provisions. But soon there were meagre quality gifts."

The alliance with the British was supposed to bring "prosperity, clear skies and good prospects," he added. "But they got 'funding cuts' and 'cutbacks' even then."

Many of those left with a sense of betrayal included the Native veterans of the War of 1812. Although they had been promised a pension for their service, the First Nation warriors never received the promised compensation. Corbiere believes there is a strong parallel between the situation of present day Native veterans and the plight of the War of 1812 veterans.

The sword of Mookomaanish, as well as replica wampum belts and other items from the Canadian War Museum, have been on display in M'Chigeeng since October. Corbiere is currently working on a more extensive exhibit for 2005.