Onontio was a title used by North American Indians of the Great Lakes region to refer to the governor of New France. The title was first given to Charles de Montmagny and was subsequently applied to all later French governors. Onontio is a Mohawk rendering of "great mountain", the folk etymology translation of "Montmagny". Each Onontio was the head of the Franco-Indian alliance, and as such was expected to mediate quarrels, provide supplies, and, in general, maintain the alliance. The title was used by both Iroquoian- and Algonquian-speaking natives, who addressed Onontio as "Father".
Onontio fell from power in 1763 with the conquest of New France by the British empire in the Seven Years' War. The British conquerors seemed unwilling or unable to fulfill the role of Onontio, which was, as a father, that of a mediator and provider rather than a conqueror. As a result, the natives of the Great Lakes rose up against British rule in Pontiac's Rebellion, attempting in part to restore Onontio to power. The native war effort was a failure militarily, but the British revised their policies and began to fulfill some of Onontio's duties. The new Anglo-Indian alliance proved beneficial to the British Empire in subsequent decades as the British were able to enlist native allies in struggles against the United States.
See alsoedit
Western Confederacy — Confederacy of Onontio's "children" formed after the American Revolution
Eccles, William J. The Canadian Frontier, 1534–1760. New York: Holt, Rinehart and Winston, 1969.
White, Richard. The Middle Ground: Indians, Empires, and Republics in the Great Lakes Region, 1650–1815. Cambridge University Press, 1991. ISBN0-521-42460-7.
March 16, 2024
onontio, title, used, north, american, indians, great, lakes, region, refer, governor, france, title, first, given, charles, montmagny, subsequently, applied, later, french, governors, mohawk, rendering, great, mountain, folk, etymology, translation, montmagny. Onontio was a title used by North American Indians of the Great Lakes region to refer to the governor of New France The title was first given to Charles de Montmagny and was subsequently applied to all later French governors Onontio is a Mohawk rendering of great mountain the folk etymology translation of Montmagny Each Onontio was the head of the Franco Indian alliance and as such was expected to mediate quarrels provide supplies and in general maintain the alliance The title was used by both Iroquoian and Algonquian speaking natives who addressed Onontio as Father Onontio fell from power in 1763 with the conquest of New France by the British empire in the Seven Years War The British conquerors seemed unwilling or unable to fulfill the role of Onontio which was as a father that of a mediator and provider rather than a conqueror As a result the natives of the Great Lakes rose up against British rule in Pontiac s Rebellion attempting in part to restore Onontio to power The native war effort was a failure militarily but the British revised their policies and began to fulfill some of Onontio s duties The new Anglo Indian alliance proved beneficial to the British Empire in subsequent decades as the British were able to enlist native allies in struggles against the United States See also editWestern Confederacy Confederacy of Onontio s children formed after the American Revolution Covenant Chain the Anglo Iroquois relationshipReferences editEccles William J The Canadian Frontier 1534 1760 New York Holt Rinehart and Winston 1969 White Richard The Middle Ground Indians Empires and Republics in the Great Lakes Region 1650 1815 Cambridge University Press 1991 ISBN 0 521 42460 7 Retrieved from https en wikipedia org w index php title Onontio amp oldid 1152167580, wikipedia, wiki, book, books, library,
