1 comments about Potlatch People: Indian Lives & Legends of British Columbia.

1. Very highly recommended reading, Potlatch People: Indian Lives And Legends Of British Columbia by Mildred Valley Thornton is a compendium of concise biographical sketches drawn from the Native American people of British Columbia, as well as fascinating legends and traditions. Illustrated with artwork portraits of those portrayed offer a uniquely human-centered insight into a rich native culture and folklore. Potlatch People is an informed and informative addition to personal, academic, and community library Native American Studies supplemental reading lists and reference collections.

No comments about Thomas Crosby and the Tsimshian: Small Shoes for Feet Too Large.

1 comments about On Six Continents: Life in Canada's Foreign Service 1966-2002.

1. This book is strictly a biography, which is not what I was looking for. I was hoping to learn about Canada's Foreign Service department and about the work of foreign service employees. The book is written at high school level, and never goes into depth on any topic. It's a good book for Mr. Bartleman to give to his children, and for people who want a great story to read in an evening or two.

No comments about Breaking Trail.

No comments about The Jesuit martyrs of Canada: Together with the martyrs slain in the Mohawk valley.

No comments about Abor Group gives back to First Nations, environment.(small business)(Drew Hill, founder of The Abor Group)(Biography): An article from: Wind Speaker.

4 comments about Justice in Paradise (Mcgill-Queen's Native and Northern Series).

1. Justice In Paradise recounts how a commitment to Native rights and an extraordinary passion for the rule of law have determined the course of Bruce Clark's life. From a childhood in an Indian residential school, to the defense of aboriginal rights before the Word Court, to being disbarred, Clark's struggle has led him to fight against the justice system itself. Justice In Paradise explains the legal and philosophical position behind Clark's opposition to the Indian rights industry. Clark argues that the North American legal system causes the genocide of those indigenous peoples who embrace traditional religion and identity and accuses those who administer it with chicanery and abandoning the rule of law. Clark turned his back on a comfortable lawyer's life to defend the rule of law and Native rights across the whole of North America. Justice In Paradise is a candid, fascinating biography that will prove fascinating to students of law, Native American rights, and non-specialist general readers who enjoy reading of men and women who make their mark upon the world with an untiring and activist devotion to their ideals and principles.



2. This is Bruce Clark's third book on the legality of Native land claims in North America. His first two books were: Indian Title In Canada (Carswell Law Publishers, Toronto, 1986) and Native Liberty, Crown Sovereignty: The Existing Aboriginal Right of Self-Government in Canada (McGill-Queen's University Press, Montreal, 1990).

   Dr. Clark has made a career of defending native land claims in Canada and the US, based on legal arguments that the taking of native lands without purchase or treaty, by US and Canadian federal and/or state and provincial governments, has been unlawful. The argument is so open-and-shut, that courts refuse to hear it, since part of the argument is that the courts do not have jurisdiction. In over 40 cases, the court has refused to hear or respond to the argument. It is based on 18th century British constitutional law, which has not been repealed, and which is still in force in Canada and the USA. Starting with the Jackson administration in the US, the governments have simply decided to ignore the law on this matter. In the 1690s one of the branches of the great Mohican tribe made a treaty with the colony of Connecticut. The colony then allowed settlers onto the land. The Indians objected, saying the purpose of the treaty had been to prevent settlers from moving in. Connecticut felt the purpose was so that it could allow the settlers to move in. Absolutely opposite viewpoints of the same document. Rather than go to war, the Mohicans wanted to find a peaceful rule of law solution. But they did not want to go into the court system that the colony of Connecticut had set up, since doing that would admit that the intruding settlers had legal jurisdiction. And Connecticut would not accept the Mohican court. The Mohicans petitioned Great Britain's Queen Anne to find a solution. On March 9, 1804, as recommended by the Privy Council, Queen Anne issued an Order in Council (meaning that this decision was constitutionally binding on the British Crown and on all colonial governments in North America) asserting three principles: 1) Creation of a third-party court to adjudicate land disputes between Native Peoples and the colonial governments of the European settlers; 2) This court was to be a trial-level court; 3) Appeals against decisions by this court would be heard by the Judicial Committee of the Privy Council. From 1704 when the Mohicans first applied to the Queen to the beginning of the American Revolution in 1776, the case of Mohegan Indians vs. Connecticut was regarded as the single most important case in the history of the British Empire. It guaranteed colonized peoples the right to independent and impartial third-party adjudication in human rights matters. The genius of that court case was that, if it had not (illegally) been ignored, it could have prevented genocide in North America. Dr. Clark has been disbarred by the Ontario Law Society for making these arguments, and has been charged with contempt of court for making these arguments, even though the courts refuse to hear the arguments; hence, there is no basis for the court to say that they are wrong arguments. Dr. Clark's writing of this book is further basis for contempt of court. Like Galileo, Dr. Clark's only escape from imprisonment for making an argument is to renounce that argument. Which he refuses to do.

   Law is based on Truth. Arguments are not disproved by the use of force of punishment and jail.




3. I have not read the book but wonder about the author who has such a desregard for public safety, public order of the role of the police to protect us from violence. His behaviour during the Gustafsen Lake occupation revealed someone on the edge and held him up to widespread public ridicule.



4. There is no doubt about Bruce Clarke's passion for Aboriginal people in Canada and the U.S. He staked his legal career on such concerns. His passion has made him controversial in many circles in North America. This autobiography/adventure story confirms that.
   
   Clarke presents an interesting legal avenue to pursue Aboriginal concerns and claims within North America. The problem is that no one, and I mean absolutely no one, appears very willing to listen. Clarke appeals to a legal precident that has never been over-ruled and therefore remains binding on all courts within North America. It is a good argument. However, no court will admit it or even listen to Clarke, usually for procedural reasons. The argument, even though valid, keeps getting shut down in court. It may be of consequence that Clarke has a knack for becoming involved with several explosive situations in an attempt to have the courts hear his argument. He is unsuccessful. He is eventually disbarred as a lawyer.
   
   This is a most unusual story, more likely to be found in communities practicing oral traditions. Seldom do we find stories like this within the larger, dominant culture. Although Aboriginal viewpoints are not fully explored, it is Clarke's point of view is facinating and insightful. Moreover, Clarke provides very helpful appendices which support and compliment the text.
   
   This book is a good read, whether you agree with Clarke or not. It provides insight into why he did what he did. Arguably, It is not justification of his deeds, but a call to the reader to examine difficult issues which we want to ignore in our daily lives. It is presented in a well-reasoned argument. Although it may appear that Clarke is bombastic, loud, and obnoxious, I found that he becomes a little more humble along the way (i.e., "Bonfire of the Vanities"). For better or worse, Clarke discovers a little more about himself and the world in which he lives. In turn, we, as readers, ought to do the same.

No comments about When the Whalers Were Up North: Inuit Memories from the Eastern Arctic (Mcgill-Queen's Native and Northern Series).

1 comments about Beyond Their Years : Five Native Women's Stories.

1. Each story represented the struggles and sacrifices that each woman had to suffer in order to stand up for what she believed in. These stories give women who are either Native or non-Native a sense of pride and accomplishment in female history. After reading the book, I felt liberated from all the misconceived notions about natives and native women that I had been taught about. Due to the author's indepth account of each woman and her environment I felt as if I knew each woman personally. I definitely recommend this book to anyone who is interested in a good read!

No comments about Protecting environment his life's work.(Andy Carpenter awarded)(Inuvialuit region)(National Aboriginal Achievement Foundation)(Biography) : An article from: Wind Speaker.