Indigenous Writes
CBC Books | CBC | Posted: May 10, 2017 9:14 PM | Last Updated: July 10, 2017
Chelsea Vowel
Delgamuukw. Sixties Scoop. Bill C-31. Blood quantum. Appropriation. Two-Spirit. Tsilhqot'in. Status. TRC. RCAP. FNPOA. Pass and permit. Numbered Treaties. Terra nullius. The Great Peace...
Are you familiar with the terms listed above? In Indigenous Writes, Chelsea Vowel, legal scholar, teacher and intellectual, opens an important dialogue about these (and more) concepts and the wider social beliefs associated with the relationship between Indigenous peoples and Canada. In 31 essays, Chelsea explores the Indigenous experience from the time of contact to the present through five categories: Terminology of Relationships; Culture and Identity; Myth-Busting; State Violence and Land, Learning, Law and Treaties. She answers the questions that many people have on these topics to spark further conversations at home, in the classroom and in the larger community. (From Portage & Main Press)
From the book
There are almost 2300 Indian reserves in Canada, nearly half of which are in British Columbia. That might sound like a lot, but keep in mind many of these are "postage stamp" reserves - very small in size. The Canyon Lake reserve, part of the Nadleh Whut'en First Nation in British Columbia, is only four hectares. Another Nadleh Whut'en reserve is six hectares. To get a sense of the amount of land we're talking about here, most sports fields are nearly a hectare in size. That's about 1.5 city blocks.
Many people make the mistake of thinking First Nation= reserve, but it doesn't quite work that way.
From Indigenous Writes by Chelsea Vowel ©2017. Published by Portage & Main Press.