During the War of 1812, over 10,000 Indigenous warriors and Métis fighters fought in defence of Upper and Lower Canada. Fighting beside British troops and Canadian settler militias. Major-General Sir Isaac Brock, commander of Britain's forces valued their skills and stated they were exceptional fighters.
Ojibwa and Dakota fought at the Battle of Michilimackinac. The Ojibwa, Odawa, Pottawatomi and Shawnee fought at the capture of Detroit. Six Nations (Mohawk) warriors fought during the battles of Queenston Heights and Beaver Dams. The Algonquin, Mohawk, Huron and Abenaki fought at the Battle of Châteauguay.
According to several British commanders, these important battles were won in large part because of the participation of their Indigenous allies. Learn more about the key battles involving First Nations and Métis participation.
The War of 1812 also introduced into Canadian history another great Indigenous Shawnee warrior and statesman Tecumseh. Who like Brant worked tirelessly to defend Indigenous rights and interests, and to stop the Settler expansion into Western North America.
