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Indigenous peoples, including the Ojibway (my ancestors) were asked to fight for the Crown during the War of 1812. They thought they were fighting for their own sovereignty. They thought they were fighting for their own lands. They thought they were fighting for their families. There was much to do at home in their communities year-round. Each moon called for a different activity. When the Crown called the people to fight they came. They left their homes. They dropped everything and they came. They waited. They waited some more. They were sent home to wait to be called again. While waiting to fight, the berries were still gathered. The communities were still maintained. The fish were still caught. The warriors waited.
My community, Rama-Mnjikaning First Nation, is north of Toronto, the home of Fort York. Spadina Avenue or Ishpadina, an Ojibway word for hill or mountain, was traditionally one of the routes for the indigenous peoples to travel from their homes to Fort York when they were called upon for battle. Two hundred years later, the trail has been marked. Some of the trees have been cut while tall stumps remain. By creating a memorial, the City of Toronto has honoured those warriors and their families who stayed behind.
c
Keesic Douglas
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