Shooting Star

Shooting Star

words & music Mike Ford

Tecumseh like a comet – flies across the land

Shooting star, shooting star

The Ohio to the prairie – now I understand

Shooting star

The broken world will fall, he arrives with wampum from afar

In the dark and disillusion he holds a firebrand

Shooting star

Big Knives are encroaching, they call it destiny

Shooting star, shooting star

But how can we sell the air, or the clouds or the sea

Shooting star

From every corner gathered, we hear his repertoire

The Shawnee’s words awoke the warrior I’ll be

Shooting star

See the spirit shine with a fire in his eyes

Shooting star, shooting star

That the children of this island could all as one could arise

Shooting star

The courage of a lion and the passion of a Bolivar

I see the moment frozen on jewel-studded skies

Shooting star

Red-coated promises dissolve into the air

Shooting star, shooting star

I hear the battle echo in the forest everywhere

Shooting star

A flash across the ages, and a trail like an incandescent scar

Passed forever from our view, landing none know where

Shooting star

When learning about Tecumseh, one cannot help but be amazed at the man’s life story and inspiring abilities. The Shawnee leader worked to bring together a great First Nations confederacy leading up to the time of the War of 1812, aiming to protect traditional lands from continued north-western expansion of the new United States of America. One learns of his lightning-fast travels from region to region, his awe-inspiring eloquence in historical speeches, his mighty leadership and bravery in battle, his vision of unity among First Nations, and his abhorrence of the torture rituals practiced by some tribes.

As a leader, Tecumseh was an inspiring voice, notable in the decision taken by so many First Nations to side with the British in The War of 1812. Tecumseh could see that that partnership was likely the only way a defence of traditional homelands could be successful.

After great success in capturing Detroit, Tecumseh continued his passionate recruiting of First Nations warriors to the cause. After the British loss of control of Lake Erie in 1813, a growing US army marched into present-day south-western Ontario, driving the defenders further up the Thames River. While the British preferred retreat, a determined Tecumseh and his followers chose to stand ground and fight. He died fighting in The Battle of the Thames, near present-day Chatham, Ontario. It is often said that with him died the dream of an independent Indian state in the mid-west, as American settlers took possession of all the territory south of the Great Lakes, driving the Indians west or onto reservations. Some of the greatest praise directed at him came from his most fierce enemies. His name rings through US history with a certain aura of respect, while in Canada his crucial contributions are definitely under-appreciated and largely unsung.

The name Tecumseh is from the Shawnee language (from the central Algonquin language family).

It is often translated into English as ‘Panther leaping across the skies” or, for short,“Shooting Star”.

I chose to imagine the voice of my song to be that of a young Potawatomi boy, who hears of Tecumseh’s renown, sees him visit his town, hears him give a speech, and follows news of his final battle.

Glossary

Wampum - traditional sacred shell beads of the Eastern Woodlands tribes of the indigenous people of North America – Woven belts of wampum have been created to commemorate treaties or historical events, and for exchange in personal social transactions, such as marriages.

Big Knives – name given by some Great Lakes tribes to the white Americans and to the English colonials who preceded them. So called from their use of long hunting knives and butcher knives, but most particularly from the sabres employed by their cavalry.

Bolivar - Simón Bolívar was a Venezuelan military and political leader. Bolívar played a key role in Hispanic America's successful struggle for independence from the Spanish Empire, and is today considered one of the most influential politicians in the history of the Americas, regarded as a hero, visionary, revolutionary, and liberator.

1.Tecumseh is revered to have been a great speech-maker – the greatest of his era, according to many. Who would you say is a great speaker in today’s world?

2. Why is a town just east of Windsor, Ontario named for Tecumseh?

3. Was Tecumseh the only member of his family to be widely known and influential?

4.Do you feel Tecumseh’s story is adequately known in Canada? Should his contribution be better understood and/or celebrated?

5. Tecumseh led a great many First Nations groups into combined effort against western expansion of the U.S. settlers. Many First Nations joined with the British in this effort. Did any Aboriginal groups fight alongside U.S. forces?

1.Tecumseh led a great many First Nations groups into combined effort against western expansion of the U.S. settlers. Many First Nations joined with the British in this effort. Did any Aboriginal groups fight alongside U.S. forces?

2.Presently, there is a monument to Tecumseh at the site of his final battle, and death, in southwestern Ontario. Many find it to be too insignificant, small and forgotten. Go to the website www.tecumsehmonument.ca for information on a new and impressive monument being planned to commemorate the Shawnee leader. If you agree with the project, write an e-mail letter of support to their website, stating why you feel the project is important and needed.

3.At one point in Mike Ford’s song Shooting Star, Tecumseh is compared to South American liberator Simon Bolivar. Find some information about the two men and, with a partner, create a short skit imagining a meeting between the two. How do they compare their quests? 

4.At one point in Mike Ford’s song Shooting Star, Tecumseh is compared to South American liberator Simon Bolivar. Find some information about the two men and, with a partner, create a short skit imagining a meeting between the two. How do they compare their quests?