Author comes to town and participates in panel on Indigenous issues
An author of a new best-selling book was in Amherstburg last week to promote his new book and talk about First Nations issues.
Maurice Switzer came to Amherstburg from North Bay over the weekend to discuss his new book “Sons of Tecumseh” and also took part in a well-attended panel discussion Saturday afternoon during the town’s National Truth and Reconciliation events. Switzer was joined on the panel discussion by Caldwell First Nations Chief Nikki van Oirschot and Indigenous artist Naomi Peters.
During the panel discussion, moderator and River Bookshop owner Richard Peddie said he and wife Colleen are pledging $10,000 towards a First Nations statue in the King’s Navy Yard Park.
“Out of the blue, I received an invitation from Richard Peddie,” said Switzer on why he came to Amherstburg. “My ears perked up when I heard Amherstburg because I know the partnership with (Chief) Tecumseh.”
Switzer said he wanted to see places in the area where Tecumseh had been, stating he has been to Ohio and has already seen where Tecumseh spent his early life. He pointed out the meeting between Tecumseh and General Isaac Brock in the War of 1812 and the alliance that he said historians agree that kept this area from being taken over.
“If that meeting at Fort Malden in 1812 between Brock and Tecumseh hadn't taken place, we’d be in part of the U.S.,” he said. “It was the smartest military decisions the British ever made by enlisting the support of Tecumseh and his allies.”
The new book, which contains historical information and contemporary plot lines combined, was also discussed at the panel discussion. He added it is important for Canadians to learn about history and that “history very much involves Indigenous Peoples, who were here before they were.”
While in the area, Switzer also did research in Tecumseh, met with local public school board teachers and viewed historical monuments and sites in the region.
During the panel discussion, Switzer added “we have a long history of defending Canada” and that Canadians are starting to understand the challenges and injustices that Indigenous Peoples have faced over the years.
Switzer believed it is important to educate people and that Canada is ahead of the curve on that. He said that he is not interested in guilty feelings but people should learn to do better, learn from their children and pick a call to action and act upon it.
History should not be eliminated or erased, he added, but should be learned from.
“I believe in using history as a teaching tool,” he said.
Switzer added “real reconciliation has a price tag” but “it’s not undoable.”
van Oirschot said Caldwell First Nations is working on issues such as housing, food supply, healthcare and more in their community. She said they have similar issues to that of Amherstburg, noting those include protecting the environment. She also said they have a positive relationship with ERCA.
van Oirschot added that all Canadians should come to grips about some of the injustices that the Indigenous Peoples have faced for years.
“We have to hear about the difficult things about the country we all love to live in,” she said.
Peters encouraged parents to bring children to events and classes to learn about Indigenous cultures. She also outlined the artwork she has done, which includes in “Art Alley” in Amherstburg and more recently completed work on the Gordie Howe International Bridge.
Author comes to town and participates in panel on Indigenous issues
By Ron Giofu
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