THE STORY OF JOHN SAIOWISAKERON FIRE

Despite “John Fire” being a commonly referenced name in Akwesasne history, the story truly centers on a pivotal moment later in his life.

Before the imposition of colonial systems, Akwesasne was governed by life Chiefs, known as the Rotinonkwiseres or “They Have Long Hair.” These leaders were selected by Clanmothers, in accordance with Haudenosaunee tradition. This system reflected Akwesasne’s own governance and values. However, the Canadian government sought to replace this traditional government structure through the Indian Act, legislation designed to enforce elected band councils across Indigenous communities. Indian Agents were sent to reserves to implement these changes, often acting as intermediaries between the government and Indigenous peoples, though not always in good faith.

The people of Akwesasne strongly opposed the Indian Act and its election system. Clanmothers and elders first attempted diplomacy, writing letters and requesting meetings with officials in the Department of Indian Affairs. When these efforts were ignored, resistance intensified. At one point, when an Indian Agent attempted to hold an election, community members intervened and locked officials in a schoolhouse to stop the process. Eventually, with no immediate response from Ottawa, many believed the matter had been abandoned. They were mistaken.

On May 1, 1899, in the village of Kana:takon, Dominion Police officers led by Chief Commissioner Percy Sherwood arrived by tugboat near the Indian Agent’s office. Among them was Mohawk Chief Angus Papineau. After landing, most officers proceeded to the office of Indian Agent George Long, leaving one guard behind with Papineau. Soon after, a message was sent requesting that the Chiefs and principal men come to the office under the pretense of discussing work.

One of the men summoned was Chief Ohnehtotako, also known as “Pine Tar,” or Jake Fire in English. He was a respected and influential leader, firmly opposed to the Indian Act. Nearby lived his younger brother John Fire, Saiowisakeron or “The Ice Is Floating By,” along with his wife Teioshirake (“Two Blankets”) and their daughter Sarah.

As Chief Ohnehtotako made his way to the Indian Agent’s office, Saiowisakeron was outside speaking with his wife and several women. Though the topic of conversation is unknown, some historians believe it may have concerned the ongoing tensions over the proposed elections.

Inside the office, Chief Ohnehtotako quickly realized that it was a trap. Two other chiefs were already under arrest, and Chief Commissioner Sherwood was overseeing the operation. Attempting to escape, Ohnehtotako ran for the back door and let out a loud war cry. Though he was quickly apprehended, his cry was heard by others nearby, including his brother.

Hearing the call, Saiowisakeron immediately rushed toward the Indian Agent’s office. What happened next is largely known through the testimony of Chief Commissioner Sherwood.

According to Sherwood, Saiowisakeron burst into the office and advanced toward him despite warnings to stop, shouting, “Shoot! Shoot!” Sherwood claimed that Saiowisakeron grabbed him and pushed him against a stove, prompting Sherwood to fire his weapon, wounding Saiowisakeron in the arm. Sherwood stated that Saiowisakeron continued the struggle, pushing him again, at which point Sherwood fired a second shot into his chest. Saiowisakeron collapsed and died on the floor.

Other accounts suggest that Saiowisakeron may have simply rushed in to defend his brother and was shot almost immediately, possibly startling the officer. Regardless of the exact sequence, Saiowisakeron was killed in the confrontation.

Witnessing the lethal force used against one of their own, the gathered Mohawks halted their resistance. Taking advantage of the sudden stillness, officers quickly removed the arrested Chiefs and escorted them at gunpoint back to the wharf. In their haste, they left Saiowisakeron’s body behind in the office.

The killing of Saiowisakeron and the arrest of the Life Chiefs marked a devastating moment for Akwesasne. Though many initially believed Ottawa would abandon its efforts following the incident, enforcement continued. Additional chiefs and supporters were arrested, including those who had traveled to Valleyfield to secure legal counsel. Sherwood and the officers involved faced no consequences, while the arrested men spent over a year in Beauharnois jail before receiving a trial. They were eventually released under the condition that they allow Indian Act elections to proceed without resistance.

In the aftermath, Indian Agent George Long attempted to discredit Saiowisakeron, portraying him as a drunk and the “muscle” behind the Life Chiefs. He actively spread negative claims to the press and even refused to allocate a small sum from band funds to toll church bells in Saiowisakeron’s memory. Despite these efforts, the community did not accept this portrayal.

Saiowisakeron had been living a peaceful life with his family, and his actions that day were understood by his people as those of a man responding to his brother’s distress and defending his community. His reputation endured, grounded not in official reports but in the memories and voices of his people.

To this day, elders and youth in Akwesasne continue to tell his story. Saiowisakeron has come to symbolize the strength, integrity, and resilience of his community. Though one man among many in a long history of resistance, his sacrifice on May 1, 1899 stands as a powerful expression of commitment to culture, governance, and identity.

Akwesasne has chosen to honor Saiowisakeron not only for how he died, but for what he represented: pride, courage, and an unwavering dedication to his people, qualities that continue to sustain the community across generations.