Description
Chief Smallboy: In Pursuit of Freedom is an account of Chief Johnny Bob (Robert) Smallboy (1898-1984) who was a noted elder who led his community to a new settlement away from the harsh realities of reserve life. He grew up in a traditional family that settled on their allotted reserve at Hobbema in central Alberta. He was a hunter, trapper, farmer, and then became Chief of Ermineskin Band from 1959 to 1969. In 1969 Chief Smallboy moved some community members away from the reserve in an effort to return to traditional values and lifestyle. Their camp was on the Kootenay Plains and it became known worldwide as a successful community. This book is written by a man who had visited with Chief Smallboy over the years and has tried to recreate his story. The author draws on oral narratives as well as archival research to describe this unique but short-lived return to Cree traditions.