Aboriginal People and Colonizers of Western Canada to 1900

by Sarah Carter

The history of Canada's Aboriginal peoples after European contact is a hotly debated area of study. In Aboriginal People and Colonizers of Western Canada to 1900, Sarah Carter looks at the cultural, political, and economic issues of this contested history, focusing on the western interior, or what would later become Canada's prairie provinces.

This wide-ranging survey draws on the wealth of interdisciplinary scholarship of the last three decades. Topics include the impact of European diseases, changing interpretations of fur trade interaction, the Red River settlement as a cultural crossroad, missionaries, treaties, the disappearance of the buffalo, the myths about the Mounties, Canadian 'Indian' policy, and the policies of Aboriginal peoples towards Canada.

Carter focuses on the multiplicity of perspectives that exist on past events. Referring to nearly all of the current scholarship in the field, she presents opposing versions on every major topic, often linking these debates to contemporary issues. The result is a sensitive treatment of history as an interpretive exercise, making this an invaluable text for students as well as all those interested in Aboriginal/Non-Aboriginal relations.

Genres: History, Nonfiction

194 pages, Paperback

First published December 25, 1999

Reviews

[Canuck · Rating 4 out of 5]

Carter’s main purpose of the book was to provide an understanding of European and Aboriginal peoples interactions in Western Canada, and although Carter does present research on European perspectives of the events her primary focus is to counter these with Aboriginal perspectives. By attempting to provide a more balanced view of the history, Cater implores readers to understand that the history of Western Canada is one that possesses conflicting interpretations and that in order appreciate modern Canada it is important to know of both views.

[Paul Burrows · Rating 4 out of 5]

Excellent short introduction to Canadian colonialism and indigenous peoples.

[Jessica · Rating 4 out of 5]

It was interesting and a pretty easy read for a history book. I enjoyed looking at an area, Canada, of Native American history that I had not studied very in-depth prior to this book.