The First Nations of British Columbia: An Anthropological Overview

by Robert J. Muckle

The First Nations of British Columbia, now in its third edition, is a concise and accessible overview of BC’s First Nations peoples, cultures, and issues. Robert J. Muckle familiarizes readers with the history, diversity, and complexity of First Nations to provide a context for contemporary concerns and initiatives. This latest edition of the classic work has been fully revised, with new chapters added and previous ones rewritten, arguments reframed in light of current developments, and resources brought right up to date. The First Nations of British Columbia is an indispensable resource for teachers and students and an excellent introduction for anyone interested in BC First Nations.

Genres: Indigenous, History, Canada, Anthropology

184 pages, Paperback

First published May 1, 1998

Reviews

[Anna Bunce · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is exactly what I was looking for: a great overview of First Nations in BC, the issues they've faced post contact and an introduction to treaties and agreements in the region. A short, yet information packed book that really helped fill in my gaps in knowledge.

[Logan Streondj · Rating 3 out of 5]

It was an okay overview of first nations of british columbia, with most of the focus on coastal first nations and those of fraser and okanagan valley. A few sentences were offered in regards to other indigenous peoples.

For some reason they considered the north west to be more sophisticated even though they used slavery and war, wheras the interior peoples were peaceful and egalitarian.

It seems to me that the interior ones are the more sophisticated as they had better lives, but unfortunately almost nothing about them was mentioned.

[Doug]

Short and accessible, this book was a good introduction to First Nations issues, but for more details and complexities I think I'm going to have to dive into the suggested readings and bibliography.

[Gwen Harris · Rating 4 out of 5]

Excellent overview of the history and cultures of Indigenous peoples in British Columbia. Although used as a school text, the book does not have an academic burden - text is concise, clear, and well illustrated.

Among the main stunning and enlightening facts:

- There are 202 First Nations communities in British Columbia
- Population in mid-1700s was 200,00, dropping to 100,000 by 1835, plummeting to 28,000 by 1885, and to 23,000 in 1929. Decimation on a large scale due to diseases introduced, disruption from contact with traders, the gold rush, homesteaders.
- Today more rights to land and culture are being recognized but much remains to be honoured and settled.

[Kim W · Rating 3 out of 5]

Helpful overview and good resource for names and locations of Nations. The characterization of the Douglas treaties as fair isn't necessarily accurate and so I wish he'd collaborated more with Elders and Indigenous scholars in those regions.

[Riversue · Rating 4 out of 5]

My only complaint is that this book is too short. It is concise but I would have loved to have more information.

[Faiz Jaffar · Rating 4 out of 5]

A great introduction to BC First Nations. Overall, I was happy to say I found the book to be very factual as opposed to preachy. It gives an a good overview of topics, but is too short to get into any major depth. I found the history section most interesting but a bit sparse. Some fun facts!
- BC First Nations can be called "Nation," "Tribe," "Village," or "Band!" Depending on the people in Question.
- Coastal villages often kept slave, which were sometimes comprised 30% of the population.
- First Nation - European relations were first established by fur traders and gold miners (hint: gold miners make poor diplomats).
- An "Aboriginal Parliament" was one of the key recommendations made by the 1996 royal commission investigating aboriginal issues.
- Many First Nations are out competing local businesses in the tourism, forestry, and fishing industries.

[Malcolm · Rating 3 out of 5]

I read this simply because I have a student working on BC First Nations issues, and I wanted to enhance my specific knowledge of BC matters. Alas, I found it too general – my background in anthropology meant that the anthropological and ethnological material is too basic, while the historical material too introductory. I did find the contemporary material and appendices outlining some key documents and connections between various First Nations very helpful. All in all, this is a really good basic introduction, but not for what I wanted. So, I'd recommend it as a very first step into looking at BC First Nations issues, but move beyond it quickly. The Further Reading lists at the end of each chapter are good.

[Colin · Rating 3 out of 5]

Only spends about half it's 100 pages on information about the various nations and precolonial aspects of BC First Nations, with the remainder talking relations with the Canadian government, treaty negotiations, etc. So a good introduction to BC First Nations but not really what I was expecting from an "Anthropological Survey". But at only 100 pages there's not much to complain about.

[Warren Wulff · Rating 5 out of 5]

Short, to the point, and from an academic perspective that respects First Nations points of view. Excellent introduction to a complex topic with lots of reading suggestions to go in depth on topics of interest. A must read for any British Columbian.