|
Local
History |
Year
|
Oronhyatekha’s
Life |
Year
|
Socio-political
Events |
|
Orange Lodge established at Tyendinaga
|
1830
|
|
1830
|
|
|
Rev. Nelles assigned to Six Nations
|
1831
|
|
1831
|
|
|
Death of Capitan John Brant (son of Joseph Brant) extinguishes
a direct and influential line of the communication between the Crown and
Six Nations
|
1832
|
|
1832
|
|
|
Rebellion, 100 Six Nations men participate.
Rev. Abraham Nelles and Adam Elliot assigned to Six Nations by New England
Company (Mohawk Chapel and Institute)
|
1837
|
|
1837
|
|
|
Land losses, parcelling and squatters have by this time
created patchwork of original Haldimand Deed
|
1839
|
|
1839
|
|
|
Local
History |
Year
|
Oronhyatekha’s
Life |
Year
|
Socio-political
Events |
|
Establishment of Orange Lodge at Six Nations
|
1840
|
|
1840
|
|
|
January: Six Nations Council and government agree to
consolidate land into one continuous tract 20,000 acres, later expanded
to 55, 000 acres
|
1841
|
August 10: Birth of Peter “Oronhyatekha” Martin,
son of Lydia Loft, Mohawk from Tyendinaga and Peter Martin, Mohawk from
Six Nations (Participant in War of 1812)
|
1841
|
February 10: “United Province of Canada” creates
Canada East – West. Indians now considered wards, not allies, reserves
not territory
|
|
Six Nations request assistance in consolidations, David
Thorburn (“Old Ironsides”) appointed Indian Superintendent.
|
1844
|
|
1844
|
|
|
Squatter evictions; notices issued, posted and enforced.
From 1839 to 1853, evictions are often violent, resulting in skirmishes
and retaliations. Six Nations families are also being relocated. Mohawks
at Cainsville, possibly including the Martins and Powless, are burned
out of their homes
|
1845
|
|
1845
|
|
|
Six Nations with Methodists/Baptists establish three schools
on “Reserve”– Martin’s Corner.
|
1846
|
Oronhyatekha attends elementary school at Six Nations
|
1846
|
|
|
Until this time, “National Councils” have managed
their own affairs. Confederacy has only met
when issues affected the whole. Now, “National Councils” are
considered divisive and dissident, and are therefore condemned by Confederacy
Between 1847 and 1851, settlement and cultural patterns
are establishing at Six Nations. Predominately Christian Mohawks, Oneidas
and Tuscaroras settle at the “upper end,” while the predominately
Longhouse Onondagas, Cayugas and Senecas settle “down below”
|
1847
|
|
1847
|
|
|
Local
History |
Year
|
Oronhyatekha’s
Life |
Year
|
Socio-political
Events |
|
No. 1 School founded at, Chief W. Smith’s Corner
|
1850
|
|
1850
|
Indian Protection Act for tax/debt exemption
|
|
1851
|
Oronhyatekha attends
Mohawk Institute, learns shoemaking.
|
1851
|
|
|
Eviction of squatters complete
|
1853
|
Death
of George Martin, Oronhyatekha’s grandfather, at age 86 |
1853
|
|
|
1854
|
Oronhyatekha
is graduated from the Mohawk Institute; becomes shoemaker. Phrenologist
recommends him for higher education
|
|
|
|
1855
|
|
1855
|
Grand Western Railroad links Windsor – Hamilton – Niagara
|
|
Six Nations Council/New England Company establishes schools
at Six Nations
|
1856
|
|
1856
|
Grand Trunk Railroad links Montreal to Toronto
|
|
1857
|
From 1855 to 1857, Oronhyatekha attends Wesleyan Academy
in Wilbraham, Massachusetts. He returns to teach at Six Nations. From
1857 to 1860, Oronhyatekha attends Kenyon College, in Gambier, Ohio. He
completes a four-year program in threeyears. He has a poor relationship
with the New England Company and Nelles, and returns to teach at Six Nations
|
1857
|
Enfranchisement Act – forces abandonment of Indian
status for the right to vote
|
|
Walter and James Kerr, Elias Hill (a young Mohawk shoemaker)
apply to enfranchise. Kerr’s request is denied, while Hill’s
is accepted. The Confederacy reacts to a perceived infringement on membership/land
sovereignty.
|
1858
|
|
1858
|
Grand Trunk Railroad links to Buffalo and the U.S.
George Brown, David Christie, Legislative Assembly, Brant East, form the
Clear Grit Party, as “Reformers.” They look to American precedents
for models of representation by population and the separation of church
and state.
|
|
Six Nations Confederacy Council appoints Mohawk Chief
George Henry Martin Johnson to the position of Interpreter.
|
1859
|
|
1859
|
Grand Trunk Railroad to Toronto – Sarnia.
|
|
Local
History |
Year
|
Oronhyatekha’s
Life |
Year
|
Socio-political
Events |
|
Bread and Cheese Day at Six Nations. Six Nations see
the gift as affirmation of Crown relations. The crown sees it simply as
a gift to the poor and needy.
|
1860
|
While teaching at Six Nations, Oronhyatekha applies and
is accepted into the University of Toronto School of Medicine. He meets
Acland in Toronto Sept. 8-11; Six Nations requests that Oronhyatekha make
a presentation to the Prince of Wales on September 14, in Brantford. He
meets Acland and the Prince. September 15 to 17: The Crown’s
first official royal visit, at Niagara Falls.
|
1860
|
Transfer of Indians Affairs from British military control
to Canadian civil authority
|
|
Grand River Navigation Company goes bankrupt. Six Nations
loses all its investments
December: Isaac Powless leads “Reformers” a
group of well-educated, young upper Mohawks with petition seeking elected
government at Six Nations. The Mohawk Workers is founded.
|
1861
|
|
1861
|
American Civil War
|
|
Confederacy/ Indian Affairs react negatively to petition
citing no Indian Act provision to “elect”
Jasper Tough Gilkison replaces Thorburn as Superintendent
at Six Nations and quiets tje reform movement.
Birth of Pauline Johnson.
|
1862
|
May: Oronhyatekha leaves Six Nations to enroll at Oxford,
England
June: Oronhyatekha returns to Tyendinaga as a teacher.
|
1862
|
|
|
1863
|
April: Oronhyatekha marries Ellen Hill of Tyendinaga.
She is the great-granddaughter of Joseph Brant/John Deseronto
|
1863
|
|
|
1864
|
1864 to 1866: Attends University of Toronto School of
Medicine
|
1864
|
|
| Completion of Ohsweken Council
House (begun in 1863). Seat of government moved from Onondaga Longhouse
at Middlepoint |
1865
|
Joins King Solomon’s Masonic Lodge, Toronto, Queens Own
Rifles Militia, and the University Corp. Probably also joins Orange Order
|
1865
|
|
|
1866
|
Oronhyatekha attains M. B. from University of Toronto;
begins practicing at Shannonville, near Tyendinaga
Oronhyatekha is purported to have participated in Fenian
Raids
|
1866
|
Fenian Raids (Union Army Irish Nationalists)
|
|
1867
|
Oronhyatekha receives official M. D. accreditation; establishes
practice at Frankford, near Belleville.
|
1867
|
Confederation/British North America Act
Sir John A. McDonald, Prime Minister
|
|
Chiefs Will Smith and Joseph Powless, prominent Mohawk
farmers, establish the Six Nations Agricultural Society
|
1868
|
Oronhyatekha establishes a farm at the Pines Homestead,
Tyendinaga
|
1868
|
|
|
1869
|
|
1869
|
Indian Act provides for election of council; The
act automatically enfranchises women who marry non-Indians
|
|
Local
History |
Year
|
Oronhyatekha’s
Life |
Year
|
Socio-political
Events |
|
Tyendinaga becomes first elect Band Council (Sampson Green
– First Chief Councillor). Since 1811, Tyendinaga has had various signatories
and designates for administration
Superintendent General Indian Affairs, Joseph Howe visits
Six Nations Fall Fair
|
1870
|
Oronhyatekha is elected founding Secretary of the Hastings
County Medical Association
Birth of Oronhyatekha’s second son, acland. acland has
one older sister and one older brother by this date
Oronhyatekha establishes practice with Dr. Lucas, and
moves to Stratford.
|
1870
|
Louis Riel of Manitoba executes Orangemen; causes major
problems for Ontario Orange Order
|
|
New Credit begins elected Band Council
|
1871
|
Oronhyatekha member of First Canadian Team at the Wimbledon
Shoots, and wins 9 medals
|
1871
|
|
|
1872
|
As Chairman of the Grand Indian Council, Oronhyatekha
petitions for changes in Indian Act. Oronhyatekha campaigns for Sir John
A. Macdonald and conservatives at Wallace Township. In Stratford, he meets
Sir John A. Macdonald, who recommends Oronhyatekha as Consulting Physician,
Tyendinaga. Although his reasoning is unclear, Oronhyatekha petitions
Indians Affairs for enfranchisement
December 31: Oronhyatekha accepts the position, and is also
appointed agent with Sampson Green to look after debts for back rent at
Tyendinaga |
1872
|
|
|
Six Nations Agricultural Society begins receiving grants
from Department of Agriculture and New England Company
Sampson Green reports that Oronhyatekha has falsified
information on documents
|
1873
|
Charges for non-attendance are brought against Oronhyatekha
as medical attendant
|
1873
|
|
|
Governor General and Countess of Dufferin visit Six Nations
in summer
|
1874
|
Rumours circulate that Oronhyatekha is trying to have
himself appointed as the new consulting physician at Six Nations in place
of Dr. Dee and MacCargow. Oronhyatekha resigns his Tyendinaga appointment
to establish practice in London, Ontario
|
1874
|
Oliver Mowat, Ontario Premier, adds “enfranchised
Indians” to elections Act
Alexander Bell invents telephone
|
|
1875
|
Oronhyatekha requests transfer of membership to Tyendinaga;
is delegate to the Triennial Council of Orangeman in Glasgow
|
1875
|
|
|
1876
|
|
1876
|
First long distance telephone
call, Brantford to Paris |
|
Formation of the Six Nations School Board
|
1878
|
Oronhyatekha joins International Order of Foresters in
London, Ontario. The rule restricting membership to “white males”
is overridden by “special dispensation”
|
1878
|
|
|
1879
|
Moravian outbreak of smallpox; services rendered by Dr.
Oronhyatekha.
|
1879
|
|
|
Local
History |
Year
|
Oronhyatekha’s
Life |
Year
|
Socio-political
Events |
|
Establishment of the Six Nations Exhibition Hall on a
12 acre park earmarked for fairs and special events
|
1880
|
Oronhyatekha still on pay list of Six Nations. Participates
in organizing Quebec High Court, IOF. Membership is predominantly French
Catholics, and the High Court fails shortly thereafter
|
1880
|
Electricity arrives in Brantford
|
|
1881
|
Oronhyatekha elected first Supreme Chief Ranger, IOF.
Oronhyatekha’s son Henry drowns in a boating accident
|
1881
|
|
|
1882
|
Defeat of Oronhyatekha’s motion to admit women to
IOF membership
|
1882
|
|
|
1884
|
|
1884
|
Indian Advanced Act specifically institutes elected
Band Councils.
|
|
Mohawk Chief William Smith and others found Union Association
to pursue land claims of Six Nations
1884 to 85: Six Nations participates in the Nile Expedition
|
1885
|
Oronhyatekha is subject to petition brought by Elijah
Ninham to be removed from position at Oneida Reserve. Oronhyatekha writes
a letter regarding his sentiments on the Riel Rebellion. Calls it “senseless
and wicked”
|
1885
|
Franchise Act (Federal) extends right to vote to
Indians without loss of Status
|
|
Chief Harry Martin campaigns against the vote at Six
Nations
|
1886
|
Oneida Council requests that Oronhyatekha be named Magistrate
|
1886
|
Prime Minister Sir John A. McDonald visits Six Nations,
encourages voting
|
|
1887
|
Oronhyatekha successfully establishes Quebec High Court
|
1887
|
|
|
Tyendinaga petitions Governor General and proposes return
to the traditional Confederacy. No response is received
|
1888
|
|
1888
|
|
|
Six Nations Council supports Union Association petition
to Colonial Secretary in London, England
Tyendinaga makes a direct representation to the Governor
General to return to the traditional Confederacy system
|
1889
|
Oronhyatekha moves IOF to Toronto. Establishes Juvenile
Order of membership
|
1889
|
|
|
Local
History |
Year
|
Oronhyatekha’s
Life |
Year
|
Socio-political
Events |
|
Six Nations Lower Chiefs have occasionally petitioned
Crown to confirm sovereignty status. Creation of the Covenant Chain, a
two-row wampum
|
1890
|
|
1890
|
Caughnawaga petition Governor General. Over 1000 from
Oka, Caughnawaga, and Awkwasasne meet and call for a reunification of
the Confederacy
|
|
1891
|
Oronhyatekha gives an address on Indian Education at a
Toronto conference
The Right Worthy Grand Lodge of Good Templar, Edinburgh
(Scotland) awards Oronhyatekha their highest order, “Right Worthy
Grand Templar.” Oronhyatekha is elected first President, Canadian
Fraternal Association. At the IOF Supreme Court Session, Oronhyatekha
maintains women cannot be denied membership by constitution of IOF
|
1891
|
|
|
1893
|
Oronhyatekha is named most Worshipful Grand Master-General
of Dominion, Royal and Oriental Freemasonry. Institutes IOF courts in
England, Scotland, Ireland, and Wales
|
1893
|
|
|
Progressive Warriors, upper nations, organize and petition.
Some are descended from the reformers of 1860-1861. They are members of
the Church., the Orange Lodge, and the Agricultural Society. They petition
for:
Council accountable by election
Principle of achievement.
|
1894
|
Oronhyatekha’s membership in Tyendinaga confirmed a second
time
|
1894
|
|
|
1895
|
Oronhyatekha presides over the building of the Forester’s
Temple Building in Toronto. It is the tallest in the Commonwealth, with
Governor General Earl of Aberdeen (completed in 1898). Oronhyatekha completes
his book, The History of the I.O.F. At Foresters’
Island, he holds the twenty-first Anniversary Picnic
|
1895
|
|
|
1896
|
|
1896
|
Formation of the United Empire
Loyalists Association of Ontario. Laurier (liberals) elected |
|
1897
|
Oronhyatekha commissions a life-size bronze portrait of
himself.
|
1897
|
Queen Victoria’s Diamond Jubilee
|
|
Progressive Warriors petition government again. Awkwasasne
election is prevented (for a second time) and Clan Mothers petition the
Governor General
|
1898
|
Female beneficiaries, “Companion Courts,” noted
by IOF. Foresters Temple building completed
|
1898
|
Federal Liberal Government denies right to vote from Indians
|
|
March: Awkwasasne and Police confrontation
|
1899
|
Oronhyatekha is elected President of the National Fraternal
Congress, an umbrella insurance organization
|
1899
|
|
|
Local
History |
Year
|
Oronhyatekha’s
Life |
Year
|
Socio-political
Events |
|
Six Nations Confederacy issue the “Official Constitution.”
The Chief is John A Gibson (Seneca)
Establishment of Tyendinaga Mohawk Fair
|
1900
|
Oronhyatekha is elected president of the Union Trust Company
|
1900
|
|
|
Six Nations establishes Board of Heath
|
1901
|
Death of Ellen, Oronhyatekha’s
wife. Visit of Duke and Duchess of York (the future King George V and Queen
Mary) to Toronto |
1901
|
Death of Queen Victoria |
|
1902
|
Oronhyatekha attends coronation of King Edward VII
|
1902
|
|
| Fire at the Mohawk Institute.
Current building constructed |
1904
|
Oronhyatekha donates his collection to the I.O.F.
I.O.F. establishes Oronhyatekha Historical Rooms and Library. Oronhyatekha
establishes the Forester’s Island Orphanage, which is completed in 1906.
He plans to establish a home for seniors and the disabled at Sherwood
Castle
|
1904
|
|
|
Progressive Warriors fracture. Indian Rights Association
of “Dehorners” want total replacement of Confederacy
Formation of the Moral Reform League, which is short-lived
and radical
|
1906
|
Oronhyatekha’s health begins failing quickly due to diabetes.
Oronhyatekha orders a $15,000 contribution to victims of the San Francisco
earthquake. Oronhyatekha called before a Royal Commission on Life Insurance
|
1906
|
|
|
1907
|
February: The Royal Commission report gives the I.O.F.
a clean bill of health
March: Oronhyatekha dies in Savannah, Georgia. His son, Acland, dies months
later at age 37.
The Orphanage closes due to a debt of $232,000.
|
1907
|
|
|
1909
|
Orphanage Home is opened in Oakville, I.O.F.
|
1909
|
|
|
Local
History |
Year
|
Oronhyatekha’s
Life |
Year
|
Socio-political
Events |
|
Second “Dehorners” petition rejected.
|
1910
|
|
1910
|
|
|
“Dehorners” send a delegation to Ottawa; they
need two thirds voter support for election at Six Nations
|
1911
|
The I.O.F donates Oronhyatekha’s
collection to the Royal Ontario Museum. The I.O.F. opens the Tuberculosis
Sanatorium in Rainbow Lake, New York
|
1911
|
|
|
Six Nations tries to establish a hospital as an
“Oronhyatekha Memorial.” Six Nations rejects the proposal as
Indian Affairs will not pay to maintain and operate it
|
1912
|
|
1912
|
|
|
1913
|
|
1913
|
Death of Pauline Johnson
|
|
292 Six Nations enlist in war. Upper nations Chiefs hold
ceremony to reaffirm loyalty to Confederacy. Formation of Mohawk workers
“Thunderwater Movement” elects “longhairs
versus shorthairs” at Tyendinaga, Six Nations, Awkwasasne, and Oka
“Council of Tribes”
|
1914
|
|
1914
|
First
World War |
|
Death of Chief Josiah Hill. He is credited with maintaining
Confederacy Council in power
|
1915
|
|
1915
|
|
|
Six Nations soldiers in France sign petition urging government
to establish elected council at Six Nations
|
1917
|
|
1917
|
|
|
Thunderwater proposes “An Act to Incorporate a Council
for the Indian Tribes of Canada,” but it is defeated
|
1918
|
|
1918
|
Soldiers Settlement Act applies to Six Nations
|
|
Local
History |
Year
|
Oronhyatekha’s
Life |
Year
|
Socio-political
Events |
|
Confederacy Chief Deskaheh (Levi General) goes to England
to affirm Crown relationship and responsibility
|
1920
|
|
1920
|
Amendment of Indian
Act to call for compulsory enfranchisement of Indians
|
|
Deskaheh goes to England, Geneva and United Nations with
claim
|
1923
|
|
1923
|
|
|
Federal government calls election at Six Nations
|
1924
|
E. J. Dunn writes about Oronhyatekha in Builders Of
Fraternalism in America
|
1924
|
|
|
|
1931
|
I.O.F. opens Aged Members Home, Lopez Canyon, California
|
1931
|
|
|
1948
|
Brigadier O.M. Martin, addresses I.O.F. Conference, Toronto.
Indian Education, housing is in “poor state of affairs”
|
1948
|
|
|
1970
|
|
1970
|
The Mohawk Institute is closed
|