NIAGARA FALLS — Officials in Lewiston will use $325,000 in New York Power Authority relicensing funds to re-enact a historic battle from the War of 1812 and build a bronze monument to members of the Tuscarora Indian Nation who fought bravely during the conflict.

The Host Communities Standing Committee, a local group that oversees the allocation of relicensing dollars for projects along the so-called Niagara River Greenway, unanimously approved allocations for both projects during a meeting on Tuesday.

Representatives from the village and town of Lewiston and the Lewiston Historical Association intend to use $25,000 to commemorate and re-enact the Battle of Queenston Heights, the first major battle of the war. They will use the remaining $300,000 to construct the “Tuscarora Heroes Monument,” a bronze statue to be located at the corner of Center Street and Portage Road that will honor Native Americans from the Tuscarora Nation who saved the lives of white settlers when they were attacked by British troops. Both projects are key aspects of Lewiston’s larger plans to commemorate next year’s bicentennial of the War of 1812. Organizers believe the celebration will draw thousands of visitors to the Lewiston area next year while promoting aspects of the Niagara River and the vision of the Greenway in the process.

“Western New York, Niagara County and, in particular, Lewiston, was on the front lines of this conflict,” said former Niagara County lawmaker Lee Simonson who is overseeing plans for the

The actual Battle of Queenston Heights took place Oct. 13, 1812. The re-enactment is scheduled for Oct. 12 to 14, 2012 and is expected to involve hundreds of volunteer organizers and re-enactors from both sides of the border. The re-enactment will coincide with other War of 1812 events being planned in Lewiston and in Ontario where Canadian officials have earmarked millions of dollars to support various bicentennial activities.

“This is going to put Western New York on the forefront nationally in terms of the attention that is going to be directed toward this celebration,” Simonson said.

Plans call for the monument to be dedicated on Dec. 19, 2013, 200 years to the day when historical accounts suggest a band of Tuscarora men saved villagers from invading British troops.

“The United States government has never thanked the Tuscaroras. The New York state government has never thanked the Tuscaroras. Lewiston has never officially done it. This is our time in history to make sure we right a wrong in terms of gratitude and appreciation,” Simonson said.

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