Monument to War of 1812 Kahnawake warriors to be unveiled on Friday, PLEASE note corrected time, additional information

06/19/2013

The Mohawk Council of Kahnawà:ke (MCK), on behalf of Mohawk Legion Branch 219, wishes to remind the community that a special ceremony to pay tribute to Kahnawà:ke’s role in the War of 1812 will take place this Friday, June 21st (National Aboriginal Day) at the Cenotaph, located across from the St. Francis Xavier Church.

The community is invited to join in the celebration.

A military parade will leave the Legion at 10:40am and arrive at the Cenotaph at 10:55am, at which time Elder Joe McGregor will offer a Traditional opening, followed by a performance by a local dance troupe and several speeches. The highlight will be the unveiling of the monument and the reading of the names of 73 Mohawk warriors who received commendations for their roles in the Battle of Chateauguay. They were part of a much larger Kahnawà:ke contingent that participated in the engagement with American troops. 

The monument, which weighs 9,600 lbs., was designed by members of the Legion Branch 219.

The 200th anniversary of the Battle of Chateauguay is coming up on 26, Kenténha/October 2013. According to many historians, the engagement had great significance and prevented the invading Americans from capturing Montreal and, in effect, Lower Canada. An information pamphlet explaining Kahnawà:ke’s participation in the War of 1812 will be available, which will include the names of those warriors who are being commemorated.

Representatives of Le Regiment de Voltigeurs du Quebec, whose predecessors fought alongside the Mohawks at the Battle of Chateauguay, have confirmed their participation. Consul General Andrew C. Parker of the U.S. Consulate in Montreal will also be attending, along with the Dominion Chairman Tom Irvine of the Royal Canadian Legion. 

The event will conclude with a luncheon taking place at the Legion.