Joe goes missing at the party held in his name but the hot dogs were good and the Swing Band had a great time.

By Pepper Parr

BURLINGTON, ON August 1, 2011 – He wasn’t there – not in body, not as a reproduction – nor in spirit. While Burlington took a bright sunny day to relax and enjoy the atmosphere at LaSalle Park to celebrate the aboriginal native Joseph Brant, there were more War of 1812 re-enactors than there were aboriginal people.

Dave Vollick, his wife and a War of 1812 re-enactor look over some material. Vollick was acclaimed as Burlington’s Town Crier for the next four years.

There wasn’t even a large picture of Brant posted up anywhere – it was almost as if we were ashamed of the man. Within the aboriginal community there are different opinions about who Brant was and the role he played during his time. Many aboriginals point out that he wasn’t an Indian “chief” but rather a ‘pine tree’ who is a person of significant value in a community and a person who can speak at Council meetings. Brant was a Captain in the British army and had a foot each in camp, so to speak.

At the end of the day there was a dance performed by six young men from the Six Nations community; one a delightful four year old whose grandmother was in the audience. There were people at the front of the stage where the performance took place telling parts of the Joseph Brant story but some said the sound system was not up to the task and few could hear well enough. Once again – we “cheated the indians”.

There are Joseph Brant descendants in the community who are apparently eager to tell the family story – but we didn’t hear from them.

It was a nice, pleasant family day – it could have been called anything; calling it Joseph Brant Day was a disservice to the man, his memory and his achievements.

The parking lot was full early in the day and the shuttle bus service worked quite well.

Native drummers entertaining the crowds were asked to stop so the Sophisticated Sound could play popular music.

At one point a pair of aboriginal men were beating away on an Ojibway drum when they were asked to stop so that the Sophisticated Swing Orchestra could be hard. So much for First Nation’s people.

David Vollick was acclaimed as the Town Crier for Burlington and is now going to join the Town Crier’s Guild and learn more about how to be a Crier. Vollick’s first gig is later in August. Expect to see him around town quite a bit.

A member of the Sophisticated Sound Orchestra pauses to check his sheet music as the Orchestra played popular songs.

The day long event is the major fund raiser for the Museums of Burlington that operate Ireland House on Guelph Line and the Joseph Brant Museum that has plans for a significant expansion at the current location. A lot more effort is going to have to go into telling who Joseph Brant is and what he managed to achieve in his time and to bring the Aboriginal people onside. They weren’t really at the event. We have our work cut out for us.

The Joseph Brant Day has taken place for more than twenty-seven years – which is how long Barbara Teatero, Executive Director Joseph Brant Museum has been with the organization. “There was a time when the aboriginal community was much more involved but our budgets are quite limited now and we couldn’t afford the fees involved.”

It was a lovely sunny day and the music was really nice. Watching all the 1812 re-enactors mill about was pleasant. But it sure wasn’t a day to celebrate Joseph Brant. False advertising if you ask me.

Quite a few War of 1812 re-enactors were at the Joseph Brant day event. Brant died in 1807 but the re-enactors added colour to the day and reminded us that the second centenary of the War of 1812 is to take place next year.

The Joseph Brant Day is a free event with revenue from concession booths bringing in funds for the Museums fund raising event.

Some people got right into the mood of the Sophisticated Sound Orchestra. Couple of ladies were dolled up waiting for dance partners. No one took to the floor to dance.

War of 1812 re-enactors set up camp at the LaSalle Pavilion during the Joseph Brant Day event.

A colourful part of the day was watching the “troops” stack their rifles and some of their equipment.

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