Description
Ce n'etait pas nous les sauvages (We Were Not The Savages: A Mi'kmaq Perspective on the Collision between European and Native American Civilizations) is written by Daniel N. Paul, Mi'kmaq historian, and translated into French by Jean-François Cyr. The cover artwork is by Leonard Paul. Daniel Paul was born on the Indian Brook Reserve in Nova Scotia. He worked for the Department of Indian Affairs as a District Superintendent of Lands, and also served with the Confederacy of Mainland Micmacs. His interest in the history of his people and their confrontations with Europeans has led to this stinging narrative. The main focus of the book is to examine the historical record for evidence to prove that Europeans were more savage than First Nations. The book begins with background information about Mi'kmaq culture. Additional chapters recount Mi'kmaq reactions to various European advances into their homeland from contact to the Royal Proclamation of 1763. Historians may question the author's conclusions in these early chapters because the author clearly states his perspective and often makes broad generalizations. By the middle part of the book, the author brings the reader face to face with the blatant racism that enveloped the Maritimes during the author's time as a government bureaucrat. These personal accounts and opinions regarding the Indian Act and its enforcement make for challenging and thought-provoking reading. In this later section of the book, topics such as education, residential schools, legal cases, land claims and rights are briefly covered. The author brings a wealth of experience with government bureaucracy and the Mi'kmaq pursuit of justice. This third edition is a welcome addition to the literature by First Nations authors. The chapter headings are expanded ad an afterword has been added to this important history. Anyone interested in a Mi'kmaq perspective of First Nations history and politics will encounter stimulating reading in this book.