Chief Joseph Brant: Canadian Hero

By Rev Ed Hird

 

My wife and I had the privilege of attending the First Peoples Forgiven Summit in Ottawa.  During that time we were able to meet a number of Mohawk believers, including Jonathan Maracle of Broken Walls who led us in remarkable worship music.  Canada’s most famous Mohawk was Chief Joseph Brant.  Recently the Canadian Royal Mint produced a Canadian Loonie with the imprint of Chief Joseph Brant  (1742-1807).  More Canadians need to hear this story of this Canadian hero.  He was described by Mark Jodoin as having the mind of a statesman, the heart of a leader, and the soul of a warrior. Without the military and spiritual support of Chief Brant, Canada would have likely never survived. 

 

 

Chief Joseph Brant’s Mohawk name was Thayendanegea which means “two sticks bound together for strength”.  Isabel Thompson Kelsay notes that “the most famous (aboriginal) who ever lived, has been for two centuries a virtual unknown.”   I suspect that he is unknown to most North Americans because he chose the side of Canada in the American revolutionary war.  As Canada’s premier First Nations leader, Brant had the privilege of meeting both Georges in person: King George III and President George Washington. 

 

Brant learned to speak, read and write English at a New Hampshire school led by Rev Wheelock. Wheelock described Brant as being “of a sprightly genius, a manly and gentle deportment, and of a modest, courteous and benevolent temper.”  In 1772, Brant was then mentored by Rev John Stuart, being trained in the art of Bible and Prayer Book translation.  During that time, Brant developed a deep prayer life, becoming a committed Anglican Christian. 

 

During the American Revolutionary war, Brant was falsely accused of committing atrocities in locations which he was not present, including the tragic Wyoming and Cherry Valley Massacres.  Those who knew Brant well testified that he often prevented atrocities through the use of his persuasive leadership. As a devout Anglican Christian, he exhibited compassion and humanity, especially towards women, children, and non-combatants. American Colonel Ichabod Alden commented that he “should much rather fall into the hands of Brant than either of them [Loyalists and Tories].”  It was frequently said of Joseph Brant that during the American revolution, he fought with a tomahawk in one hand, a copy of the New Testament in the other.

 

 

Joseph Brant’s father was one of the sachem/chiefs, known as the Four Indian Kings, who visited Queen Anne in 1710.  These chiefs asked ‘for missionaries to be sent to the People of the Longhouse to teach them more about Christianity.”  Queen Anne sent this request to the Anglican Archbishop of Canterbury, promising to build them a chapel. In 1711, Queen Anne’s Royal Chapel was built in the Mohawk Valley in New York State.  When the Mohawks relocated to Southern Ontario, the Mohawk Royal Chapel was rebuilt there in 1785.  Joseph Brant’s grave is located right next to the historic Mohawk Chapel, the oldest protestant church in Ontario. Just this past July, Queen Elizabeth, while visiting Ontario, presented the Mohawk Chapel with a set of eight silver hand bells engraved ‘The Silver Chain of Friendship 1710-2010’. 

 

On each side of the Mohawk Chapel pulpit are two tablets in the Mohawk language of the Lord’s Prayer and the Ten Commandments.  Joseph Brant was a brilliant linguist translating the Bible and Anglican Prayer Book into Mohawk (of which there are microfiche copies at Simon Fraser University).  He also wrote a concise history of the Bible and a Mohawk language catechism. Brant spoke at least three and possibly all of the Six Nations’ languages.  When the Chapel was dedicated in 1788, each person was given a Mohawk book containing the Gospel of Mark and the Anglican Prayer Book.  At that celebration, sixty five Mohawks were baptized and three couples were married.

 

 

When Joseph Brant first visited England in 1775, he was described by a British commander as ‘His Majesty’s greatest North American subject.’, and painted in full aboriginal regalia by George Romney.  Receiving a captain’s commission, Brant met with the King on two occasions, with a dinner being held in his honour. Brant was honoured by the English leaders in the arts, letters and government, including James Boswell, the famed biographer of Samuel Johnson.

 

In 1779 Brant was commissioned by the King as ‘captain of the Northern Confederate Indians’ in recognition of his “astonishing activity and success’. Brant was described as “the perfect soldier, possessed of remarkable stamina, courage under fire, and dedicated to the cause, an able and inspiring leader and a complete gentleman.”

 

 

Joseph Brant’s Six Nations were tragically driven out of their homeland in Central New York.  Brant was hurt that in granting their Mohawk homeland in Central New York State to the Americans, England had ‘sold the Indians to the US Congress’.  Writing to King George III, he reminded the British that “we, the Mohawks, were the first Indian Nation that took you by hand and invited you to live among us, treating you with kindness…”  The Six Nations were eventually resettled by Governor Frederick Haldimand in the Grand River area around modern-day Brantford.  The British realized that locating the Six Nations in the Grand River area would be a natural protection against any future American invasion.  Initially the Mississauga First Nation resisted the concept of having their former foes on their land.  One Mississauga Chief Pokquan however persuaded his other chiefs by arguing that other aboriginals would be better neighbours than European settlers, and that Brant’s knowledge of the British could prove useful. 

 

The term Brantford comes from Brant’s Ford, the shallow part of the Grand River that could be forded.  The first years at Brantford were difficult as there was a drought with game being hard to find.  Throughout all the challenges, Chief Brant’s deep faith sustained him.  Chief Brant’s sacrificial love for God and nation should inspire all of us.  He memorably said: “No person among us desires any other reward for performing a brave and worthwhile action but the consciousness of having served one’s nation.” 

 

May all of us be willing to learn from the bravery and loyalty of Chief Joseph Brant.

 

Rev Ed Hird, Rector

St. Simon’s Church North Vancouver

Anglican Mission in the Americas (Canada)

http://stsimonschurch.ca

-previously published in the Deep Cove Crier

-award-winning author of the book ‘Battle for the Soul of Canada’

http://www.battleforthesoulofcanada.blogspot.com

p.s. In order to obtain a copy of the book ‘Battle for the Soul of Canada’, please send a $18.50 cheque to ‘Ed Hird’, #1008-555 West 28th Street, North Vancouver, BC V7N 2J7. For mailing the book to the USA, please send $20.00 USD. This can also be done by PAYPAL using the e-mail ed_hird@telus.net . Be sure to list your mailing address. The Battle for the Soul of Canada e-book can be obtained for $9.99 CDN/USD.

-Click to download a complimentary PDF copy of the Battle for the Soul study guide :  Seeking God’s Solution for a Spirit-Filled Canada 

You can also download the complimentary Leader’s Guide PDF: Battle for the Soul Leaders Guide

Chief Kenny Blacksmith: walking together in forgiveness

By Rev Ed Hird

 

Recently my wife and I attended the First People’s Forgiven Summit in Ottawa.  Over 4,000 First Nations, Inuit, Metis and others came from all across Canada to officially respond to Prime Minister Stephen Harper’s apology two years ago.  It was a moving three days of forgiveness, reconciliation and healing that has had a lasting impact on us.

 

The reason why we attended the Forgiven Summit is that we met locally with Chief Kenny Blacksmith in January 2010 at the beginning of the six-month Journey of Freedom across Canada.  When Chief Blacksmith told of his having been abused in residential school and yet has found the ability to forgive, it touched me deeply. I experienced Chief Blacksmith that day as having a transparent soul.  When he said that he forgave us, I experienced this forgiveness as real, deep and costly.

 

During this Journey of Freedom, I was invited to the Tsawwassen First Nation for a time of restoration.  It became clear to me that God is doing a powerful work among the First Peoples across Canada.  He is giving them beauty for ashes, and releasing the power of forgiveness in a way that is bringing life transformation.

 

Dr. Billy Graham once said: “The greatest moments of Native History may lie ahead of us if a great spiritual renewal and awakening should take place. The Native American has been a sleeping giant. He is awakening. The original Americans could become the evangelists who will help win America for Christ! Remember these forgotten people!”

 

Out of the great trauma that the First Peoples have been through, it seems that they as national gatekeepers are now leading the way in the message of reconciliation and forgiveness.  Chief Kenny Blacksmith is indeed a statesman in the message that he carried all across the nation. On Canada Day, Chief Blacksmith said: “Canada in its restoration and freedom will be a healing to the nations…. I believe because Canada and the original and host peoples of this land have made significant spiritual amends through an act of forgiveness, Canada will not only take back what the enemy has stolen but it will take new land for the Kingdom of God, and it will dig new wells of revival in its restored relationships and freedom from a negative past.” 

 

It was a great privilege at the Ottawa Forgiven Summit to stand with other Church leaders and express our repentance for the way that the Churches have let down and hurt the First Peoples, particularly with the residential schools.  The joy that flowed during the Forgiven Summit was palpable.

 

Here is how Chief Kenny Blacksmith describes this new beginning for Canada: “On this 1st of July 2010 let us begin to dream big once again, the best of what could be for our people and nation because the Lord God is mighty!

 

On this 1st of July 2010 let us arise determined more than ever to design and deliver a shared improved future built on a solid rock foundation on the best of what should be, and the best of what will be – for all our people and for our nation!

 

Let the path of the righteous in our nation be as the first gleam of dawn shining ever brighter till the full light of day.”

 

Chief Blacksmith went on to say:

“Canada – Arise and shine for your light has come, and the glory of the Lord rises upon you! Canada – this is your time of restoration.  Canada – this is your time of promotion! Canada – this is your time! God bless Canada!”

 

I thank God for Chief Kenny Blacksmith and other First Peoples who are leading the way in the message of forgiveness.

 

 

 

Rev Ed Hird, Rector

St Simon’s North Vancouver

Anglican Mission in the Americas (Canada)

http://stsimonschurch.ca 

-published in the August 2010 Deep Cove Crier

-award-winning author of the book ‘Battle for the Soul of Canada’

http://www.battleforthesoulofcanada.blogspot.com

p.s. In order to obtain a copy of the book ‘Battle for the Soul of Canada’, please send a $18.50 cheque to ‘Ed Hird’, #1008-555 West 28th Street, North Vancouver, BC V7N 2J7. For mailing the book to the USA, please send $20.00 USD.  This can also be done by PAYPAL using the e-mail ed_hird@telus.net . Be sure to list your mailing address. The Battle for the Soul of Canada e-book can be obtained for $9.99 CDN/USD.

-Click to download a complimentary PDF copy of the Battle for the Soul study guide :  Seeking God’s Solution for a Spirit-Filled Canada 

You can also download the complimentary Leader’s Guide PDF: Battle for the Soul Leaders Guide

Thousands of Aboriginal People Converged on Ottawa

By Rev Ed Hird

We will never forget the Forgiven Summit in Ottawa, Ontario, Canada at the Ottawa Civic Centre.  My wife and I, with thousands of others from across Canada, travelled to our nation’s Capital to share in this historic gathering convened by Chief Kenny Blacksmith. I had the privilege of meeting with Chief Kenny Blacksmith and Chief Linda Prince back in January 2010 when the Journey of Forgiveness began.

 

Being struck by Chief Kenny Blacksmith’s powerful message of forgiveness, I knew that we needed to be there that June for the Forgiven Summit.  Only God knew what was going to happen this weekend, but I had sensed that there will be a great breakthrough for our nation of Canada. God is doing a powerful work of reconciliation and restoration for all the people groups in Canada, both the first peoples and the later peoples whom God has brought to this great land.

         In Christ, Ed Hird+

         http://www.battleforthesoulofcanada.blogspot.com

News Updates

June 10, 2010 Thousands of Aboriginal People Converging on Ottawa to Respond to Prime Minister’s 2008 Apology NATIONAL FORGIVEN SUMMIT BRINGS HOPE   OTTAWA, June 10 /CNW/ – Thousands of Aboriginal individuals are assembling in Ottawa to release this weekend the forgiveness that Prime Minister Stephen Harper requested in 2008. The Prime Minister concluded his apology for Indian Residential Schools by requesting “the forgiveness of the aboriginal peoples of this country for failing them so profoundly.” “At that moment” says Chief Kenny Blacksmith, “the onus was placed on our people as individuals to respond. The only way to come into our full healing as the First Peoples of Canada is to forgive. Forgiveness is not political; it cannot be bought or sold; it cannot be legislated. It is an individual choice that can break the generational cycle of victimization and accusation.” Blacksmith meets tomorrow with Prime Minister Harper, who cannot attend the event on account of international obligations, but has been very supportive, and will address the Summit via video on Saturday. The National Forgiven Summit comes out of the vision and leadership of Chief Blacksmith, a residential school survivor, former Deputy Grand Chief of the Grand Council of the Crees of Quebec, and founder of Gathering Nations International. “Vision is not reactionary to the past,” says Blacksmith, “but we have to release ourselves and others from the burden of the past so we can look with hope to the future.” The Summit runs from Friday to Sunday evening at the Ottawa Civic Centre. Open to the public, it is also drawing hundreds of non-Aboriginal people, government leaders, and international observers to witness this historic moment. The response aims to bring healing and freedom to those negatively affected by the legacy of the Indian Residential School system. On Saturday, Chief Blacksmith, in the company of youth and elders from across the country, will present a Charter of Forgiveness and Freedom to the Government and people of Canada. Authored by residential school survivors, elders and youth, this Charter will be signed by Aboriginal and non-Aboriginal adherents and witnesses throughout the weekend. Cabinet Minister Chuck Strahl will be present to accept the Charter on the government’s behalf. A Press Conference will be held at 3:30pm on Saturday June 12, 2010 at the Ottawa Civic Centre with Minister Strahl and Chief Blacksmith. To attend the Summit as media, please visit the website to access the Media Guide. The Summit can be viewed by live webstream at www.i4give.ca  and www.nouspardonnons.ca .   For further information: For Media Inquiries contact: Shauna Simmonds, Media Relations, National Forgiven Summit, shauna@i4give.ca, 647.244.1486; For National Forgiven Summit Inquires contact: info@i4give.ca Aboriginal Canadians Prepare to Respond to the 2008 Apology June 08, 2010 Aboriginal Canadians Prepare to Respond to the 2008 Apology THE NATIONAL FORGIVEN SUMMIT TAKES PLACE THIS WEEKEND IN OTTAWA   Ottawa. June 8, 2010: Rod Bruinooge, MP for Winnipeg South and Chief Kenny Blacksmith from Gathering Nations International launched the National Forgiven Summit today. The summit will include a public response to Prime Minister Harper’s 2008 apology and his request for forgiveness.     “I believe this will be a meaningful time of healing for many Aboriginals,” said Bruinooge. “Past challenges can be overcome to prepare for a brighter future.”   The summit will take place in Ottawa, June 11-13, 2010 at the Ottawa Civic Centre. The three-day event is expected to draw thousands of Inuit, Métis, First Nations, non-natives and government leaders. Summit organizers want to share the message that forgiveness brings healing.   During the summit, participants will present a Charter of Forgiveness to Minister Strahl, and symbolically, to the entire nation. A coalition of residential school survivors prepared the charter and it will be available to sign throughout the weekend.   To prepare for the summit, a Journey of Freedom is taking place in aboriginal communities, churches, and regional centres throughout the country. The journey began in January 2010 and the national summit will conclude the journey.   “What a joy it will be when thousands of individuals come together to release forgiveness,” said Chief Blacksmith. “We have the capacity to forgive, and we will experience greater healing if we choose to do so.”    On June 11, 2008, Prime Minister Stephen Harper extended an apology to the residential school victims. This weekend is the two year anniversary of that apology.   For more information: Myrrhanda Novak Director of Communications Office of Rod Bruinooge, MP Tel: 204.984.6787 Email: bruinr0@parl.gc.ca   Shauna Simmonds Media Relations National Forgiven Summit Tel: 647.244.1486 Email: shauna@i4give.ca