2015 winner of First Nation Communities Read is Darrell Dennis, author of Peace Pipe Dreams: The Truth About Indians.
Peace Pipe Dreams: The Truth about Lies about Indians educates readers through entertaining stories, a comedic personal perspective, and a straightforward, easy-to-comprehend explanation of the First Nations, Inuit, and Métis experiences in Canada. In the five hundred years since Columbus bumbled across the Americas a lot of misinformation has been built up surrounding this continent’s original inhabitants. Shuswap actor, comedian, and screen writer sets the record straight. Employing pop culture examples, personal anecdotes and a cutting wit, Darrell Dennis deftly weaves history with current events to entertain, inform and provide a convincing, readable overview of First Nations issues and why they matter today. Darrell Dennis answers burning questions and tackles some tougher subjects. He looks at European-Native interactions in North America from the moment of first contact, discussing the fur trade, treaty-signing and the implementation of residential schools. Addressing misconceptions still widely believed today, Dennis explains why Aboriginal Peoples aren’t genetically any more predisposed to become alcoholics than Caucasians; that First Nations spirituality doesn’t consist of worshipping rocks, disappearing into thin air, or conversing with animals; and that tax exemptions are so limited and confusing that many people don’t even bother. Other topics include Naming, Perceptions, Indian Act, Jay Treaty, Reserves, Governance, Indian Princess, Sports Mascots, and many more misconceptions. Ideal reading for secondary students, teachers, and the general public. Highly recommended.