Barbara A. Martindale- For What It's Worth September 16, 2013
A while ago, this column delved into a bit about Tonto, film star from the Six Nations and Kee mo sah bee of the popular Lone Ranger of radio, television and movie fame.
Just recently, Zig Misiak of Brantford released his new book: Tonto, The Man in Front of the Mask. No doubt, many read The Sachem's interview with Zig Misiak this past July just before the book was released.
Mr. Misiak will be speaking at Grace United Church this Thursday, September 19 as a Canadiana speaker.
Zig sees himself as a student of Native/First Nations history and culture. His mission is to familiarize, coach, present and mentor those who share his interest in history. He is very clear about the fact that he "speaks about, but not for, the Native Nations and always takes into account both oral and written information, when available, respecting both sources.”
He is president of Real People's History, chairman of the War of 1812 Bicentennial Commemoration Steering Committee for Brantford and the County, a member of the Historic Niagara Education Committee around the War of 1812 and he contributed to the PBS/WNED TV Bi National group that produced the War of 1812 commemorating the 200th anniversary. He also is an honorary vice chairman of the United Empire Loyalist Association of Canada.
He is an education partner with school boards of Ontario on Native Nations education historical support. Also, for 35 years Zig was a re-enactor; re-enacting Butlers Rangers American Revolution and Caldwell's Rangers, War of 1812.
Zig Misiak retired in 2009 and since that time he has devoted his efforts to history education. Three books, including the one on Tonto, have been written by Mr. Misiak. The other two are War of 1812, highlighting Native Nations, and Western Hooves of Thunder, about McArthur's raid along the Grand River. And he co-authored with Raymond Sky the Six Nations Iroquois Program Teachers Resource Guide.
Remember the documentaries on Canada: A People's History? Zig was as a "special skills extra" for that series.
Zig Misiak, at age three, arrived at Pier 21 in Halifax from Poland after WWII with his mother in 1950. His father, Stanislaw, a survivor of the war, was already in Canada under the "displaced persons" program. Brantford has been his home ever since and now the home of his four children. His younger twin brothers live in Brantford, too.
He says he has never taken living in this great country for granted and fell in love with all aspects of its history. Don Montore, a good friend, was his logical oral history and tour guide choice for the Tonto book. When not writing or researching, Zig Misiak lectures and participates in school workshops.
You can pick up Tonto, The Man in Front of the Mask, at Edinburgh Square Heritage and Cultural Centre. Beautifully illustrated and written, the book provides good background of Six Nations history before getting into a great read about the life of Harold Smith, as Jay Silverheels and as Tonto.
