Disorientation and Decolonization: Aboriginal Peoples in British Columbia

October 4, 2007 meeting at Amy's

Topic: Aboriginal Peoples in British Columbia
Guest Speaker:
Dr. Coll Thrush, Assistant Professor, History, UBC
(Coll's latest publication, Native Seattle)
Present: Alison, Amy, Brenda, Clemence, Colleen, Lisa, Nona, Susan

Coll provided an enlightening overview of his involvement in and passion for First Nations issues in the Pacifc Northwest region. An insightful group discussion followed including personal experiences and what role we play as advocates and activists.

Action: Better educate ourselves in order to hopefully raise awareness of First Nations issues amongst others.

As per Coll's suggestions, following are some books to start with to further educate ourselves:

• McCann, 1491 (*excellent* overview of the Americas before Columbus; better than most science fiction in terms of the alternate worlds it describes)
• Turner, The Earth's Blanket (has worked with BC First Nations communities for decades; this is the culmination of her career in many ways -- a great resource for understanding local landscapes)
• Lepore, The Name of War (about New England in the 17th century, beautifully written)
• Victoria Freeman, Distant Relations: How My Ancestors Colonized North America. (very thoughtful, and a good overview of both US and Canadian big-picture history.
• Taiaiake Alfred, Peace, Power and Righteousness

More academic, but get at some really key issues:

• Paige Raibmon, Authentic Indians: Episodes of Encounter from the Late-Nineteenth-Century Northwest Coast
• Phil Deloria, Indians in Unexpected Places

Novels:

• Alexie, Reservation Blues
• Robinson, Monkey Beach