Book description
Shawnee war chief Tecumseh dedicated his life to stopping American
expansion and preserving the lands and cultures of North American
Aboriginal peoples. He travelled relentlessly trying to build a
confederation of tribes that would stop the territorial ambitions of
the newly created United States of America.
Tecumseh tried both diplomacy and battle to preserve his Ohio Valley
homelands. When he realized that neither could stop the American
advancement, he turned to the British in Canada for help was the War
of 1812 began. He and Isaac Brock, British geneal and Canadian hero,
caputured Detroit early in the war and historians believe they would
have gone on to more impressive battles had Brock not fallen at
Queenston Heights in 1812. After the loss of Brock, some success was
achieved against the Americans, notably in the woods at Fort Meigs,
Ohio, in May 1813. But when the Americans won the decisive Battle of
Lake Erie later that summer, the door to Canada was opened. Chased by
his nemesis William Henry Harrison, Tecumseh and the British
retreated, making a final stand at the Battle of Moraviantown.
Tecumseh was killed in the battle. His death marked the end of First
Nations resistence to American expansion south of the Great Lakes.
A great leader, Tecumseh left an indelible mark on the history of
both Canada and the United States. The story of his struggle to
preserve a vanishing culture is one that remains relvant toda. One of
the greatest tributes to Tecumseh came from his enemy, Harrison, who
later became president of the United States. He called Tecumseh an
"uncommon genius," who in another place, another time, could
have built an empire.
Jim Poling Sr. was a newspaper journalist for thirty-five years
before turning to freelance magazine and book writing. Much of his
journalism career was spent with the national news agency Canadian
Press. His postings there includeed Edmonton, Ottawa, Vancouver, and
Toronto, as well as assignments across the Far North, Alaska, Russia,
Scandinavia, and Cuba. He began his CP career as a reporter and worked
as editori, bureau chief, editor-in-chief, and general manager.
Jim is also the author of Waking Nanabijou, a memoir about
his search for his mother's origins and an exploration of the shameful
ongoing discrimination against First Nations people. His other books
include Tom Thomson: The Life and Death of the Famous Canadian
Painter and The Canoe: An Illustrated History. Jim lives in
Alliston, Ontario.
