The highest point in the park at Queenston Heights in the Niagara Peninsula will be the site of a new memorial honouring the contribution of warriors from the Six Nations in the War of 1812.

Although many believe that without allies from Six Nations warriors–Mohawk, Oniedas, Onondago, Cayugas, Senecas and Tuscaroras–Canada would look very different today–perhaps not even exist.

Six Nations warriors fought alongside British forces and local militia, contributing greatly to the outcome of the war. A small plaque near Queenston heights and a handmade memorial at Brock’s Monument commemorate those contributions, but the Niagara-on-the-Lake Bicentennial Committee felt a significantly bigger monument was in order.  Recently the Niagara Parks Commission approved the project and offered a site for a new monument.

A request for proposals for a sculpture or piece of artwork will be circulated shortly to artists across North America.  A design is expected to be chosen within six months and the monument built by 2014.

A portrait of Tecumseh from the First Peoples of Canada website, which describes Six Nations’ aims during the War of 1812.