Parks Canada
parkscanada.gc.ca
Common menu bar links
News Releases and Backgrounders
News Releases
THE GOVERNMENT OF CANADA COMMEMORATES THE NATIONAL HISTORIC SIGNIFICANCE OF ORONHYATEKHA AND CHRIST CHURCH, HER MAJESTY’S CHAPEL ROYAL OF THE MOHAWK
TYENDINAGA MOHAWK TERRITORY, ONTARIO, August 21, 2005 --The Honourable Stéphane Dion, Minister of the Environment and Minister responsible for Parks Canada, today announced the unveiling of two Historic Sites and Monuments Board of Canada plaques commemorating the national historic significance of Christ Church, Her Majesty’s Chapel Royal of the Mohawk, and Oronhyatekha.
“As a royal chapel, Christ Church, symbolizes the historic alliance between the British Crown and the Mohawk peoples, as well as the Mohawks’ historic and ongoing contributions to Canada,” said Minister Dion. “Oronhyatekha, who is buried at Christ Church, was the first Aboriginal Canadian to be educated and accredited as a physician. He also successfully led the Independent Order of Foresters through a period of transition that saw it develop into a prosperous international organization.”
Located along the Bay of Quinte, Christ Church is a reminder of the close relationship that existed between the Mohawk people and the British Crown. During the American Revolution of 1775-1783, the Mohawks fought as military allies of the British. When peace was restored, and the Mohawks’ lands in New York were lost to the Americans, the British offered one group of Mohawks, led by Captain John Deserontyou and Captain Joseph Brant, lands at the Bay of Quinte.
Shortly after their arrival in the Bay of Quinte, the Mohawks constructed a small log chapel of the Anglican faith. Like many Aboriginal people, a large number of the Mohawks had come to accept Christianity. By the mid-19th century, the congregation had outgrown the log chapel, however, which led to the construction of the present Christ Church in 1843.
To honour the contributions made by the Mohawk people to the British Crown and Canada, Christ Church was made a royal chapel in 1904 by King Edward VII. In 2004, Her Majesty, Queen Elizabeth II, granted the church the title “Christ Church, Her Majesty’s Chapel Royal of the Mohawk.” The church remains a central historical part of the Tyendinaga community today.
Oronhyatekha, a Mohawk, was the first Aboriginal person to practice medicine in Canada. He obtained his medical degree from the University of Toronto in 1866 and was licensed in the following year. Oronhyatekha practised for many years, specializing in diseases of the lung and throat, as well as in Aboriginal healing. He was also dedicated to charitable work, and contributed to the success and growth of The Independent Order of Foresters, a struggling mutual aid and fraternal society established to give moral and material aid to its members and its dependents. The organization, which formed its first Canadian “court” in 1876, set up funds to provide relief to sick and distressed members, as well as death benefits to the widows and dependents of deceased members.
Oronhyatekha was elected as the supreme chief ranger of the order in 1881. By the time of his death in 1907, he had expanded Foresters internationally to over 35 countries. He was also a tireless advocate for both First Nations and women’s rights.
“The importance of Christ Church, Her Majesty’s Chapel Royal of the Mohawk, is expressed in the rich on-going traditions of the Mohawks of the Bay of Quinte,” said Minister Dion. “Oronhytekha, who had such a strong connection with Christ Church and the Tyendinaga Mohawk Territory, was a leader of his time. The Government of Canada is proud to be a part of their continuing legacy.”
Christ Church, Her Majesty’s Chapel Royal of the Mohawk, was designated as a national historic site of Canada in 1995, and Oronhytekha as a national historic person in 2001. The plaques commemorating them and their national historic significance to Canada will be permanently displayed near the church to help Canadians understand the important role they played in Canada’s development as a nation.
Created in 1919, the Historic Sites and Monuments Board of Canada advises the Minister of the Environment regarding the national historic significance of places, people and events that have marked Canada’s history. The placement of a commemorative plaque represents an official recognition of historic value. It is one means of informing the public about the richness of our cultural heritage which must be preserved for present and future generations.
Information:
Brigitte Caron
Press Secretary
Office of the Minister of the Environment
(819) 997-1441
John Grenville
National Historic Sites Program Manager
Eastern Ontario
Parks Canada
(613) 545-8666 (ext. 102)
“As a royal chapel, Christ Church, symbolizes the historic alliance between the British Crown and the Mohawk peoples, as well as the Mohawks’ historic and ongoing contributions to Canada,” said Minister Dion. “Oronhyatekha, who is buried at Christ Church, was the first Aboriginal Canadian to be educated and accredited as a physician. He also successfully led the Independent Order of Foresters through a period of transition that saw it develop into a prosperous international organization.”
Located along the Bay of Quinte, Christ Church is a reminder of the close relationship that existed between the Mohawk people and the British Crown. During the American Revolution of 1775-1783, the Mohawks fought as military allies of the British. When peace was restored, and the Mohawks’ lands in New York were lost to the Americans, the British offered one group of Mohawks, led by Captain John Deserontyou and Captain Joseph Brant, lands at the Bay of Quinte.
Shortly after their arrival in the Bay of Quinte, the Mohawks constructed a small log chapel of the Anglican faith. Like many Aboriginal people, a large number of the Mohawks had come to accept Christianity. By the mid-19th century, the congregation had outgrown the log chapel, however, which led to the construction of the present Christ Church in 1843.
To honour the contributions made by the Mohawk people to the British Crown and Canada, Christ Church was made a royal chapel in 1904 by King Edward VII. In 2004, Her Majesty, Queen Elizabeth II, granted the church the title “Christ Church, Her Majesty’s Chapel Royal of the Mohawk.” The church remains a central historical part of the Tyendinaga community today.
Oronhyatekha, a Mohawk, was the first Aboriginal person to practice medicine in Canada. He obtained his medical degree from the University of Toronto in 1866 and was licensed in the following year. Oronhyatekha practised for many years, specializing in diseases of the lung and throat, as well as in Aboriginal healing. He was also dedicated to charitable work, and contributed to the success and growth of The Independent Order of Foresters, a struggling mutual aid and fraternal society established to give moral and material aid to its members and its dependents. The organization, which formed its first Canadian “court” in 1876, set up funds to provide relief to sick and distressed members, as well as death benefits to the widows and dependents of deceased members.
Oronhyatekha was elected as the supreme chief ranger of the order in 1881. By the time of his death in 1907, he had expanded Foresters internationally to over 35 countries. He was also a tireless advocate for both First Nations and women’s rights.
“The importance of Christ Church, Her Majesty’s Chapel Royal of the Mohawk, is expressed in the rich on-going traditions of the Mohawks of the Bay of Quinte,” said Minister Dion. “Oronhytekha, who had such a strong connection with Christ Church and the Tyendinaga Mohawk Territory, was a leader of his time. The Government of Canada is proud to be a part of their continuing legacy.”
Christ Church, Her Majesty’s Chapel Royal of the Mohawk, was designated as a national historic site of Canada in 1995, and Oronhytekha as a national historic person in 2001. The plaques commemorating them and their national historic significance to Canada will be permanently displayed near the church to help Canadians understand the important role they played in Canada’s development as a nation.
Created in 1919, the Historic Sites and Monuments Board of Canada advises the Minister of the Environment regarding the national historic significance of places, people and events that have marked Canada’s history. The placement of a commemorative plaque represents an official recognition of historic value. It is one means of informing the public about the richness of our cultural heritage which must be preserved for present and future generations.
Information:
Brigitte Caron
Press Secretary
Office of the Minister of the Environment
(819) 997-1441
John Grenville
National Historic Sites Program Manager
Eastern Ontario
Parks Canada
(613) 545-8666 (ext. 102)
Backgrounders associated with this News Release.
