Description
The Comeback: How Aboriginals are Reclaiming Power and Influence by John Ralston Saul, identified as Canada’s leading public intellectual presents a wide-ranging account of the First Nations, Inuit, and Métis peoples in Canada today. Historic moments are always uncomfortable, Saul writes in this impassioned argument, calling on all of us to embrace and support the comeback of Aboriginal peoples. This, he says, is the great issue of our time--the most important missing piece in the building of Canada. The events that began late in 2012 with the Idle No More movement were not just a rough patch in Aboriginal relations with the rest of Canada. What is happening today between First Nation and non-First Nations is not about guilt or sympathy or failure or romanticization of the past. It is about citizens' rights. It is about rebuilding relationships that were central to the creation of Canada. These relationships are just as important to its continued existence. The centrality of Aboriginal issues and peoples has the potential to open up a more creative way of imagining ourselves and a more honest narrative for Canada. Wide in scope but piercing in detail, The Comeback presents a powerful portrait of modern First Nations life in Canada illustrated by a remarkable selection of letters, speeches, and writings by Aboriginal leaders and thinkers, showcasing the extraordinarily rich, moving, and stable Indigenous points of view across the centuries. The volume offers a readable and accessible introduction to current issues as well as interpretations of events passed. The end of the text includes valuable segments of historical documents such as the Royal Proclamation 1763; Joseph Brant's letter to Sir Frederick Haldimand, Governor of Quebec; Riel's Declaration, 1869; Banning the Potlatch House of Commons 1884; B.C. Chiefs' Memorial to Laurier 1910; Amendments to the Indian Act 1927; Grand Chief Dave Courchene in Wahbung 1971; Grand Chief John Kelly 1977; RCA P 1996; Leroy Little Bear, Chief Joseph Gosnell, Taiaiake Alfred, Jim Dumont, Siila Watt-Cloutier, E. Richard Atleo, Wab Kinew, Jean Teillet, Kathryn Teneese, and Niigaanwewidam James Sinclair. The book contains numerous photographs and an index.