Talking Back to the Indian Act: Critical Readings in Settler Colonial Histories

by Mary-Ellen Kelm (Editor), Keith Smith (Editor)

Talking Back to the Indian Act is a comprehensive "how-to" guide for engaging with primary source documents. The intent of the book is to encourage readers to develop the skills necessary to converse with primary sources in more refined and profound ways. As a piece of legislation that is central to Canada’s relationship with Indigenous peoples and communities, and one that has undergone many amendments, the Indian Act is uniquely positioned to act as a vehicle for this kind of focused reading. Through an analysis of thirty-five sources pertaining to the Indian Act—addressing governance, gender, enfranchisement, and land—the authors provide readers with a much better understanding of this pivotal piece of legislation, as well as insight into the dynamics involved in its creation and maintenance.

Genres: Indigenous, School, Indigenous History, History, Social Justice, Canada

248 pages, Paperback

Published November 1, 2018

Reviews

[Gabriel Maracle · Rating 4 out of 5]

Good textbook for teaching historical analysis and discussing the Indian Act

[Ben · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this book.

This was a very good read on reconciliation.

I found this a particularly important Indigenous read, covering both history and current issues.

Would highly recommend.

4.4/5

[Pat Nelson · Rating 4 out of 5]

Lots of interesting readings. Intended as a course textbook on research methods so if you arent reading it as such some of the commentary is odd.

[Audrey Monette · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book is organized similar to a textbook and provides a deeper understanding of the Indian Act based on various themes/lenses (e.g., gender).