Zig Misiak, acclaimed author, and historian, a friend of Six Nations

“I never expected when I was just a little boy of three, a refugee to this country, who has now found a home and a family in another culture. I am blessed and honoured having been led on this path.” (Zig Misiak)

By Leslie Knibbs

BRANTFORD—  Zig Misiak has been honoured with such things as an Eagle Feather from the Six Nations Veterans Association. He has been in Sweat Lodges and been given a Mohawk name – Ko’khó:wa Awè:ri (big grey owl heart). For more than 40 years, Zig has authored hundreds of articles on First Nations as well as many books, the first being Women Warriors and The Unwanted Wars referring to the American Revolution and the War of 1812.

Zygmunt Marian Misiak (Zig) arrived in Brantford, Canada, from Poland at the age of three.  As he grew older, he spent a great deal of time at the library slowly learning to read, write, and speak English. Little did he know that one day he would be recognized as a renowned author of many books and articles on Indigenous culture and traditions, but the seeds were planted early.

Memories of first meeting ‘Indian’ children 

“After our arrival in Canada in 1950, we spent one year on a farm with my dad. We lived in an attic. In 1951, we moved into the city. I had no idea that we were living not far from the ‘mush-hole’, the residential school (Mohawk Institute).”

A life-long learning journey began shortly thereafter.

“I began to find out more and more about our community neighbours, the Six Nations, and I absorbed everything I could find about the then-called Indians.”

Recently, Zig recalled memories of his first meeting with children at the ‘mush-hole’ a few years after his family moved from the farm.

“I played in the nearby forest and along our side of the canal. I was extremely curious about everything. One day, I crossed the wooden bridge, over the canal, and I explored narrow pathways between the factory buildings. I eventually ended up entering an open field filled with kids. Some were near an orchard, some in a garden, others cutting the grass. They wore similar clothing; these were boys of all ages. In the distance, I saw a very big brick building around which some girls were sweeping. No one threatened me so I made myself comfortable on the grass just watching everyone. Some boys, about my age, at the time seven or eight years old, came over and sat with me. This first visit lasted about an hour, then I went home. I went back about 10 more times over the next few weeks. My last visit came after an adult chased me off the premises. I was too afraid to go back. Only years later did I realize I was playing with residential school kids.”

Author of scores of articles and books 

Over the years, Zig has authored several children’s books on Indigenous culture as well as articles on the history of First Nations.  All of his life, Zig has looked to First Nations as extended family.  Coming from a Polish background, the author has found astonishing details on connections made between Polish soldiers and First Nations.

“The most amazing things began to surface, I found connections between Polish soldiers and First Nations people going back as far as the War of 1812. When writing the biography of Jay Silverheels, Tonto from the Lone Ranger story, I discovered that his father, an officer in the army, helped train Polish patriots at Niagara on the Lake for battle in Europe during WW1. He went with them and indirectly helped Polish people get back their country after the war was over.”

As well as being an author, Zig has been involved in historic re-enacting for years.

“I have been a reenactor of the American Revolution portraying a unit called Butler’s Rangers. They were very closely aligned with the First Nations during that war. I travelled to the Finger Lakes, the traditional land of the Haudenosaunee for over 40 years. I met many First Nations reenactors and even encouraged a few from the Grand River Six Nations, and other First Nations communities to join; re-enact and be the teachers. What a wonderful hands-on way of expanding my knowledge and quenching my passion.”

A First Nations curriculum used in 723 schools 

Zig and his friend Raymond R. Skye developed the very first Indigenous Studies guide in Canada and with no funding, Zig and Raymond launched their Six Nations Iroquois Program Teacher’s Resource Guide in 2009.

He explained the impetus behind devising the curriculum.

“My friend, Raymond R. Skye, and I came across a new document nine years ago that mandating schools to find ways of including as many First Nations topics as possible into their curriculum. Upon further investigation, I told Ray that there is virtually nothing available in terms of a decent ‘guide’ for teachers and that in fact, educators were panicking because they did not have the knowledge, resources, or comfort level to integrate such content. Ray and I collaborated. He would provide the cultural background and I would edit as well and immerse myself into understanding curriculum expectations. We chose this path: to know a People, any People, you should understand and get to know their stories of Creation, understand their family units (Clans) and their system of governance. We proceeded with the Haudenosaunee Story of Creation, added the story of how the Clans were formed and ended it with the coming of the Peacemaker and the Great Law and the formation of the Confederacy. We created a ‘resource’ that went well beyond our community, in fact, [it’s] being used by 723 schools. Now, in 2021, we created a new revised, and updated resource: First Nations Resource Collection; 14 books and five guides make up the collection.”

Details can be found at www.canadianauthoreducation.com

Continues to build bridges 

At this time, Zig has four books in the works on First Nations including a recounting of the history of First Nations and Christmas.  The story is in the form of a script presently.  The meaning of Christmas was brought over from Europe and not part of First Nation culture; however, Zig believes “the spirit of Christmas was a part of their tradition, that is sharing, looking after one another, and strong family bonds.”

“I [will] continue to write [and] will help unravel the misunderstood or the not understood facts about a wonderful People in this part of the world. I’ve always said that ‘fear’ creates unpredictable results. These fear-based negative results cast over the centuries upon the First People can be dissipated through education. That’s the role I want to play, and have since a child, ‘one who bridges’.