Disinherited Generations: Our Struggle to Reclaim Treaty Rights for First Nations Women and their Descendants

by Nellie Carlson, Kathleen Steinhauer, Maria Campbell (Foreword)

This oral autobiography of two remarkable Cree women tells their life stories against a backdrop of government discrimination, First Nations activism, and the resurgence of First Nations communities. Nellie Carlson and Kathleen Steinhauer, who helped to organize the Indian Rights for Indian Women movement in western Canada in the 1960s, fought the Canadian government#146;s interpretation of treaty and Aboriginal rights, the Indian Act, and the male power structure in their own communities in pursuit of equal rights for Aboriginal women and children. After decades of activism and court battles, First Nations women succeeded in changing these oppressive regulations, thus benefitting thousands of their descendants. Those interested in human rights, activism, history, and Native Studies will find that these personal stories, enriched by detailed notes and photographs, form a passionate record of an important, continuing struggle.

Genres: Nonfiction

216 pages, Paperback

First published September 1, 2012

Reviews

[Brenda · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book should be mandatory reading in the Canadian school system. Period. These women are Sheroes. I’m sure no one knows these stories.
For those interested- this is an oral history from two Cree women tell of their life stories against the discrimination of the Canadian Government - specially the Indian Act. These women fought for over 50 years to change the oppressive regulations of the Indian Act against women and their pursuit of equal rights for Aboriginal women and children. If you are at all interested in the history this book is really well done.

[kyrie · Rating 5 out of 5]

am grateful for my work this summer where i am constantly reminded that kinship is everything, that my learning is never done. this was a wonderful book not only in content, of course, but its format. who tells stories and why, as well as the accessible language and interview style of this book is so… innovative. not everything needs to be a textbook

[Carolyn DeGirolamo · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is the story of some amazing women fighting for years against the Indian Act that took away indigenous woman's rights. This book and the 21 things you should know about the Indian Act should be required reading.

[Leanne · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a great summary of the fight for women's aboriginal rights in Canada with specifics about the various changes to the Indian Act and the ways they caused discrimination against women when it came to deciding who had treaty rights, who someone could marry, who could live on a reserve, etc. The book is a series of interviews with two women who fought to change the Indian Act; it's their story, told from their perspective. I think it's important as Canadians that we understand the history of this issue - human rights and civil rights are not a given, people had to fight for them (and still do) and many of the gains we have made are not so far in the past.

[Alexis · Rating 3 out of 5]

A look at some of the women involved in regaining treaty rights for Native women. The book is an oral history and a recounting of some of the struggles of these native women. Interesting and disturbing.

I really want to learn more about native history. I feel like I don't know a lot and this bothers me.

[Leslied · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really liked this book, especially the oral format. It was hard to read in places - it made me want to cry. But so interesting!