In July, Major-General Sir Isaac Brock captured Detroit but was killed while defending against an American attack at Queenston Heights, near Niagara Falls, a battle the Americans lost. Canadian volunteers and First Nations, including Shawnee led by Chief Tecumseh, supported British soldiers in Canada’s defence. Believing it would be easy to conquer Canada, the United States launched an invasion in June 1812. This led to American resentment at British interference with their shipping. The British Empire, which included Canada, fought to resist Bonaparte’s bid to dominate Europe. However, Aboriginals and Europeans formed strong economic, religious and military bonds in the first 200 years of coexistence which laid the foundations of Canada.Īfter the defeat of Napoleon Bonaparte’s fleet in the Battle of Trafalgar (1805), the Royal Navy ruled the waves. Large numbers of Aboriginals died of European diseases to which they lacked immunity. The arrival of European traders, missionaries, soldiers and colonists changed the native way of life forever. Warfare was common among Aboriginal groups as they competed for land, resources and prestige. West Coast natives preserved fish by drying and smoking. The Sioux were nomadic, following the bison (buffalo) herd. The Cree and Dene of the Northwest were hunter-gatherers. The Huron-Wendat of the Great Lakes region, like the Iroquois, were farmers and hunters. The native people lived off the land, some by hunting and gathering, others by raising crops. When Europeans explored Canada they found all regions occupied by native peoples they called Indians, because the first explorers thought they had reached the East Indies.
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