Quiet revolution west : the rebirth of Métis nationalism / John Weinstein.

Format:

Book

Author/Creator:

Weinstein, John.

Language:

English

Subjects (All):

Métis--Politics and government.

Métis.

Métis--Legal status, laws, etc.

History.

Canada, Western--History.

Canada, Western.

Métis--History.

Métis--Government relations.

Western Canada.

Physical Description:

ix, 245 pages : illustrations, maps ; 23 cm

Place of Publication:

Calgary : Fifth House Publishers, 2007.

Summary:

When the Manitoba Act of 1870 created the new Province of Manitoba within the Dominion of Canada, it was predominantly a Metis province. But in the process the Metis were left with no land base and little political control. John Weinstein, an advisor to successive Metis leaders, traces Metis aspirations for political autonomy as a unique nation with its own land base within the Canadian federation.

The well-documented Red River and North-West Rebellions led to the execution of leader Louis Riel and what Weinstein calls "the dark period of the Metis Diaspora." Following fledgling Metis political and cultural organizations in the wake of this setback, there was a "revival" in the 1960s. Weinstein documents Metis political activity during this decade and the land claims campaigns in the 1970s. Concentrating, with deft accounts, on the political manoeuvring and constitutional wrangling of the first ministers conferences and the failed accords of the 1980s and on into the new century, Weinstein also highlights the contributions and disappointments of colourful Metis leaders such as Harry Daniels, Elmer Ghostkeeper, Jim Sinclair, and Clement Chartier. Detailed reviews of legal cases relevant to long-standing Metis claims to land and other rights are placed within the context of the world-wide movement among indigenous peoples for greater political autonomy.

Although the Metis have been recognized in the Constitution as one of the three groups of Aboriginal peoples in Canada, they remain the landless subjects of the Canadian government, and for this reason Quiet Revolution West is a timely account of resistance.

Contents:

Chapter 1 The Rise and Fall of the New Nation 1

Chapter 2 In Search of Representation 23

Chapter 3 Harry Daniels and the Quest for the Constitution 37

Chapter 4 The Pitfalls of Patriation 47

Chapter 5 Elmer Ghostkeeper and "Metisism" 55

Chapter 6 In the Bear Pit with Jim Sinclair 63

Chapter 7 Metis Political Realignment 73

Chapter 8 The Metis Nation versus Pierre Elliott Trudeau 81

Chapter 9 Impasse 93

Chapter 10 The Fiery Front 105

Chapter 11 Transitions 117

Chapter 12 Yvon Dumont and the Road to Charlottetown 125

Chapter 13 The Fallback Position 137

Chapter 14 The Powley Decision 153

Chapter 15 Defining the Metis Homeland 163

Chapter 16 Clement Chartier and Kelowna: The Almost Accord 175

Chapter 17 The Global Movement 191

Chapter 18 Prospects for Metis Self-Government 199.

Notes:

Includes bibliographical references and index.

ISBN:

9781897252215

1897252218

OCLC:

144602123