Keywords Native Political Leaders

On his return Brant fought throughout the war with an Aboriginal-Loyalist band. He was greatly admired as a soldier and was commissioned a captain by the British in 1780, but fought as a war chief. Beginning in 1783 and through the mid-1790s Brant worked to form a united confederation of Iroquois and western Aboriginal peoples in order to block American expansion westward. His dream ultimately was undermined by factionalist jealousies among the FIRST NATIONS, by American opposition, and finally by British betrayal.

About 1779 Brant married Catharine, a Mohawk from a prominent family. In May 1784, following the war, Brant led the Mohawk LOYALISTS and other Aboriginal peoples to a large tract of land on the Grand River [Ont] granted them in compensation for their losses in the war. Convinced that Aboriginal people would have to learn white agriculture to survive and thinking that the tract was too small for hunting, Brant wanted to lease or sell land to whites, which would provide an income as well. A complicated controversy with the government over the nature of Aboriginal land tenure then arose; at the same time there was discontent among some of the Grand River Aboriginal people over disposition of the money. In his later years Brant lived quietly in his magnificent house at Burlington Bay in an English style and translated parts of the Bible into Mohawk.

Brant, Joseph
William Berczy, circa 1807, oil on canvas (courtesy NGC/5777).

Author ROBERT S. ALLEN

Links to Other Sites
CHIEFS
The Galafilm documentary series CHIEFS is the saga of the great leaders, warriors, and diplomats of the First Nations whose stories form a central drama of Canada and the North American continent. The films tell the life stories of First Nations leaders Sitting Bull, Pontiac, Joseph Brant, Black Hawk, and Poundmaker.

Joseph Brant Museum
This website documents Joseph Brant’s pivotal role in the Seven Years War and the American Revolution. Produced by the Joseph Brant Museum in Burlington, Ontario.

The Valiants
This Ottawa memorial honours fourteen valiant men and women who gave outstanding wartime service to Canada.

Four Directions Teachings
Elders and traditional teachers representing the Blackfoot, Cree, Ojibwe, Mohawk, and Mi’kmaq share teachings about their culture. Animated graphics visualize each of the oral teachings. This website also provides biographies of participants, transcripts, and extensive learning resources for students and their teachers. In English with French subtitles.

NFB: Chiefs
This series is the saga of five great First Nations chiefs -- Sitting Bull, Pontiac, Joseph Brant, Black Hawk and Poundmaker. Their stories form a central drama of the history of the North American continent. Features still photos and video clips. A National Film Board website.

Face to Face: The Canadian Personalities Hall
Face to Face presents outstanding Canadians – men and women whose ideas and contributions have transformed this country. From the website for the Canadian Museum of Civilization.