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Visiting the Woodland Library of the Six Nations June 6th, 2012

Last week I spent a couple of excellent days at the Woodland Library near Brantford, Ontario, where I had the privilege of reading the John Brant Letter Book.  After the death of his father, the famous Mohawk warrior and statesman Chief Joseph Brant, John Brant became chief of his people living along the Grand River.  His letter book provides a fascinating glimpse into his life and work.  Among other things, I learned about Chief Brant’s activism against the building of dams on the Grand, and I gained some insight into his visit to England in 1822, when he forced the Scottish poet Thomas Campbell to apologize publically for slandering his father’s good name.  Warm thanks go out to Virve Wiland, the Woodland Librarian, for helping me with my research.