First Nations in Canada

First Nations in Canadapresents a contemporary look at Aboriginal issues from both the Native and non-Native experiences. The overriding theme of empowerment and self-determination is the emphasis in this collection of readings, which includes contributions from a variety of Native communities. While some historical foundations are given, the focus is on the present, for example, with the coverage of the recent Royal Commission on Aboriginal Peoples, and the most current, comprehensive treatment of First Nation demography available anywhere in literature. The text also explores the sensitive issues concerning our Native population: the James Bay II Project; the efforts of First Nation women to break the cycle of family violence and to reclaim their voices; and the effects of oil and gas exploitation on a Cree community. But, in also including non-Native writers, First Nations in Canada helps to foster a dialogue between Native and non-Native people.