New novel Sons of Tecumseh asks some vital questions
- Sons of Tecumseh
- Dec 6, 2025
- 3 min read
Published Dec 05, 2025 North Bay Nugget
A newly-published novel depicts First Nations obstacles as the inevitable result of continued reliance on colonial governance systems.
Author Maurice Switzer says "Sons of Tecumseh" focuses on how the inability of Indigenous Nations to create unity among themselves continues to contribute to their failure to make significant headway on key issues in dealing with other governments in Canada.
"Tecumseh was the first Native American leader who understood that the tribes across this continent had to stand united against the forces of colonialism," says Switzer. "My story attempts to draw parallels with his inability to create an Indigenous coalition -- and his betrayal by non-Native allies -- with the actions of a fictional contemporary First Nations leader.
"Their lives are 200 years apart, but there is a remarkable similarity in their fates."
The book's title references the legendary Shawnee warrior who died in the War of 1812 helping the British defend Canada from invading Americans, and a fictional contemporary group of First Nations activists who name their movement after their historic hero.
Switzer has previously authored two books on treaties for the Union of Ontario Indians, thousands of copies of which are resources in schools across Ontario.
"Librarians will classify 'Sons of Tecumseh' as literary fiction," says Switzer, "but it's been described as historic fiction, an Indigenous contemporary novel, and someone even said it qualifies as a mystery. I have already had a lot of interest in it from teachers who see its value as an Indigenous Studies textbook."
Internationally-renowned Kirkus Reviews describes the novel as an “Ambitious...story about the fractured relationship between Indigenous Canadians and the national government." It also says Switzer “Nicely connects the past to the present in a book that is awash in Canadian history, contemporary politics, and a multitude of social and infrastructure problems that plague the country’s First Nations population. The characters feel true to life, and the knowledge they wield is invaluable.”
One of the book's central themes is the ongoing under-representation of the majority urban population of First Nations citizens, and how elected Chiefs fall short in advocating on behalf of their citizens who live away from their home communities.
“I couldn’t imagine a situation where, for example, Members of Parliament would ignore pocketbook issues affecting the majority of their constituents,” says Switzer, who currently serves as president of the North Bay Indigenous Friendship Centre, one of 31 such institutions providing culturally-based services and programs in Ontario cities. He estimates there are over 4,000 urban Indigenous service agencies like friendship centres across Canada whose First Nations employees do not enjoy the same tax exemptions as they would if they worked on reserves or for Chiefs’ organizations.
“Our elected leaders have failed to adequately represent two-thirds of their own citizens,” says Switzer, who served as director of communications for 17 years for the Assembly of First Nations and Union of Ontario Indians. At various times he has been a member of the Ontario Human Rights Commission, an adjunct professor of Indigenous Studies and Communications on the Laurentian University campus, and a reporter, editor, and publisher at five Canadian daily newspapers.
“As a journalist, I’ve likely written millions of words,” says Switzer, "But the 80,000 or so in ‘Sons of Tecumseh’ may be my most significant. I want to contribute to a conversation about making First Nations politics more relevant and meaningful to the million of us who are living in Canada.
"If our Chiefs can't figure out ways to martial the loyalty and support of the very people they need to demonstrate the legitimacy of their claims to represent all their citizens, they may be doomed to playing a perpetual game of whack-a-mole with governments bent on eroding -- even erasing --inherent and negotiated Indigenous rights."
Information about the novel is available at www.sonsoftecumseh.com or the author can be contacted at mauriceswitzer4@gmail.com.
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