Description
Firekeepers of the Twenty-First Century: First Nations Women Chiefs written by Dene scholar Cora Voyageur offers readers a First Nations' perspective on leadership roles held by women in First Nations communities. Using interviews and statistical analysis the author discovers the subtle change in First Nations communities as the distribution of power shifts. The 1951 Indian Act revision provided the opportunity for women to enter the world of band politics. The author identifies Elsie Knott of Curve Lake as the first female band chief in who was elected in 1953. The book examines sixty-four of the ninety women leaders who were elected band chiefs in Canada. The chapters cover the demographic profile of female chiefs; the election campaign, the public life of the chief in office; the private life of the female chief; and an interview with Chief Kim Baird of Tsawwassen First Nation. The book contains an index, bibliography, the research questionnaire circulated to women chiefs, and the campaign pamphlet of Peggy Richard who ran for the chief's position of Athabasca Chipewyan First Nation. This is a readable book about a subject area that has received limited scholarly study. Recommended.