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By SHAWN JEFFORDS
The St. Catharines Standard
Applications to design a $1.5-million monument commemorating the sacrifice of the Six Nations and their native allies during the War of 1812 are flooding in just a few days after a request for proposals went public.
At least 29 applications to design the project, which is being organized by the War of 1812 Bicentennial Committee, have been submitted, said Lyle Williams, communications officer for the group. The monument will recognize the often under-appreciated contribution to the war effort of First Nations peoples.
"At the time, the Six Nations and native allies were not in the forefront," he said. "Everyone was looking at the British and the reservists, saying that they won the war. We can see now through research that a lot of these battles were won completely by the Six Nations."
The monument will be located in Queenston Heights, close to the Brock Monument. Williams said the project will be funded using government grants and through public fundraising.
"This is the most important project to be undertaken at Queenston Heights since the Brock Monument was completed," he said.
Williams said the $1.5-million price tag is an early estimate that includes on-going upkeep.
Richard Merritt, co-chairman of the memorial working group, said they'd initially hoped to have the project completed in time for the anniversary of the Battle of Queenston Heights, but it wasn't feasible. They now hope to have drawings of the monument ready for the celebration, he said.
"One of our priorities, right from the start, was to recognize the sacrifices of the Six Nations and their native allies, particularly at the Battle of Queenston Heights," he said. "We have decided to reach out to the artist community and particularly the native community to see what they had in mind for an appropriate memorial."
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Tim Johnson, who also serves as co-chairman of the monument working group, said the recognition is long overdue. The bicentennial has brought the full view of First Nation's peoples accomplishments to the public, he said. That can continue for years to come with the establishment of the monument, he said.
"The rollout from this, from an education standpoint, can continue for generations to come," he said.
The monument will draw attention to the solid relationship and mutual respect between Six Nations and the Crown before the War of 1812. That stands in sharp contrast to the relationship that deteriorated and is still deeply troubled, Johnson said.
"Most historians would agree, the native peoples lost the War of 1812. That is what makes a commemorative art work like this so important today. It provides an opportunity for reconciliation."
Johnson said the bicentennial celebration work has helped foster a spirit of co-operation between First Nations people and Niagara residents. It tells him Canadians are embracing all parts of their history.
"What's really been remarkable is the goodwill that's been established between native participants like myself and non-natives here in Niagara-on-the-Lake and through the region."
Bidding on the project closes this spring. For more information go to www.biddingo.com or to the Niagara-on-the-Lake town website at www.notl.org.
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