Kahnawake Iroquois and the Rebellions of 1837–1838 facts for kids
The Kahnawake community, made up of Iroquois people, played a special part in the Rebellions of 1837. These rebellions were a time of big changes and fighting in Lower Canada. Kahnawake was located right between the British army's main bases and areas where the Patriotes, a group fighting the British, were strong. This put the Kahnawake Iroquois right in the middle of the conflict.
Kahnawake and the Rebellions
Helping the British Army
The Kahnawake Iroquois helped the British army in a few important ways during the rebellions:
- December 13, 1837: About 150 Kahnawake men quickly gathered in Lachine. They responded to a request from the government. Their goal was to help stop a possible attack by the Patriotes.
- November 4, 1838: The Iroquois captured 75 armed Patriotes. These Patriotes, led by people like François-Maurice Lepailleur, came to Kahnawake. They wanted to borrow weapons and get support from the Native people. The Iroquois were worried for their safety. Under the leadership of Antoine-George de Lorimier, they refused to give in to the Patriotes' threats. The Patriotes arrived quietly near the old St-Jean Baptiste Chapel. Ten Kahnawake men met them. There was almost a shootout, but both sides decided to talk instead. The Iroquois invited the Patriotes into the village center. They falsely promised weapons and support for the Patriote cause. This trap worked. The Kahnawake men easily arrested and disarmed the Patriotes. Many of the captured Patriotes said they had been forced to march on the Iroquois village.
- November 11-16, 1838: 200 Kahnawake men joined British volunteers and soldiers. They went to fight Patriotes believed to be hiding in Châteauguay. They found the place empty. British soldiers and Iroquois warriors then took goods and supplies from the area.
Why Kahnawake Acted
Many historians have often seen the Kahnawake Iroquois as simply loyal to the British Crown. However, the reasons for Kahnawake's actions were much more complex. They were not just about being loyal to the British.
The people of Kahnawake likely had many reasons for their actions. These included social, economic, political, and cultural factors. Letters from Joseph Marcoux, a priest living in Kahnawake at the time, give many details about these reasons.
For example, the government's Indian Department was trying to save money. They wanted to reduce the yearly payments and gifts they gave to Native people. By working with the British, the Kahnawake people might have hoped to keep these important payments. This would protect their interests as "Indians."
Also, there was often mistrust between Kahnawake and their French-Canadian neighbors, including the Patriotes. These relationships definitely shaped Kahnawake's involvement.
The Kahnawake village also had internal disagreements at the time. However, when there is a threat to their land, lives, or identity, Native American communities often unite. In the case of the Rebellions, a threat to their land, lives, and identity brought the whole Kahnawake community together.
The oral history of Kahnawake says that the Iroquois got involved in the Rebellions to protect their land and show their identity. Historian David Blanchard explains this idea. He writes that the Kanienkehaka (another name for the Mohawk people of Kahnawake) were defending their own lands. This defense did not mean they were taking sides with the British against the French. It simply showed they were Kanienkehaka.
Records show that the desire to protect their land and identity united the Kahnawake Iroquois. This desire shaped their actions. Any disagreements among Kahnawake residents during the 1830s were put aside. So, it seems that the Kahnawake Iroquois decided to get involved in the Rebellions because they strongly wanted to protect their shared interests. They also had a strong community desire to defend and express their collective identity.
Images for kids
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Joseph Marcoux
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Old St-Jean Baptiste Chapel in Kahnawake
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François-Maurice Lepailleur
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