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Captain Glegg, who met Tecumseh at Fort Malden, left this description of the Shawnee chief: ‘Tecumseh was very prepossessing, his figure light and finely proportioned, his age I imagined to be about five-and-thirty, his height five feet nine or ten inches, his complexion light copper, his countenance oval, with bright hazel eyes beaming cheerfulness, energy and decision. Three small crowns or coronets were suspended from the lower cartilage of his aquiline nose, and a large silver medallion of George the Third, which I believe his ancestor received from Lord Dorchester when governor-general of Canada, was attached to a mixed coloured wampum string which hung round his neck. His dress consisted of a plain, neat uniform, a tanned deer-skin jacket with long trousers of the same material, the seams of both being covered with neatly cut fringe, and he had on his feet leather moccasins much ornamented with work made from the dyed quills of the porcupine.’

A brief discussion of the role of the First Nations in the War of 1812 followed by a bibliography. Part of the National Library website "From Colony to Country: A Reader's Guide to Canadian Military History."

Tecumseh (circa 1768 – 1813) had an impressive bearing and a charismatic personality. Canadian militia officer Thomas Vercheres de Boucherville described the Shawnee chief at a diner in 1813: ‘Tecumseh was seated at my left with his pistols on either side of his plate and his big hunting knife in front of him. He wore a red cloak, trousers of deerskin, and a printed calico shirt, the whole outfit a present of the English. His bearing was irreproachable for a man of the woods as he was, much better than some so-called gentlemen.’ It is uncertain that this widely published 19th century print is an actual likeness of Tecumseh. It is reputedly based on a pencil sketch made from life in 1807 at Vincennes, Indiana by Canadian fur trader Pierre Le Dru.

This Micmac leader wears a mixture of Amerindian and European dress. Gifts of military clothing equipment were often made by the French colonial authories to allied leaders. Note the gorget around this man's neck - this small piece of armour was the symbol of an officer in European military fashion. Reconstruction by Francis Back. (Parks Canada)

Annotated listing of first person accounts, journals and biographies associated with the War of 1812. This bibliography is part of "From Colony to Country: A Reader's Guide to Canadian Military History."

This Ottawa leader wears a tanned deershin robe. His hair is worn in a style noted for this culture, with two braids hanging down in the back. Amongst the silver ornaments around his neck, this man wears a European gorget. This piece of ceremonial throat armour was the mark of a European officer, and was a popular item with aboriginal leaders, according to surviving records. Reconstruction by Ron Volstad. (Canadian Department of National Defence)

By 1763, Indians had been excluded from the process of territorial bargaining between the French and British. The British were encroaching on the Indians' hunting patterns. Pontiac, the Ottawas' war chief thus made plans to capture various British-held forts in the interior. From the television series "Canada: A People's History." Includes links to educational resources, bibliography, games, puzzles, and video clips.

A description of the Battle of Queenston Heights, a key battle in the War of 1812 and the conflict in which Major-General Isaac Brock, Commander-in-Chief of the British forces in Upper Canada, was killed by an American bullet. A history of Brock's Monument, the memorial which marks the gravesite of the famous general, is included.

A brief account of the events leading up to the peace treaty between the French and the Indians signed in 1701. It also describes the important role played by the Huron chief Kondiaronk in the negotiations for this treaty. Taken from the television series "Canada: A people's History." Includes links to educational resources, bibliography, games, puzzles, and video clips.

From the television series "Canada: A People's History", a description of Brigadier-General Isaac Brock's attack on Fort Detroit, an offense which relied heavily on bluff. General William Hull surrendered the fort without a fight. Site includes links to educational resources, bibliography, games, puzzles, and video clips.