The Unjust Society: Harold Cardinal

by Harold Cardinal

Aboriginal people in Canada took hope with the election of Pierre Trudeau's Liberals in 1968. They were outraged when the White Paper introduced by Minister of Indian and Northern Affairs Jean Chretien a year later amounted to an assimilation program: the repeal of the Indian Act, the transfer of Indian affairs to the provinces, and the elimination of separate legal status for Native people.The Unjust Society, Cree leader Harold Cardinal's stinging rebuttal, was an immediate best-seller, and it remains one of the most important books ever published in Canada.

Possessed of a wicked gift for satire, Cardinal summed up the government's approach as "The only good Indian is a non-Indian". He coined the term "buckskin curtain" to describe the barriers that indifference, ignorance, and bigotry had placed in the way of his people. He insisted on his right to remain "a red tile in the Canadian mosaic". Above all, he called for radical changes in policy on aboriginal rights, education, social programs, and economic development.

The Unjust Society heralded a profound change in the political landscape. Thirty years later, however, the buckskin curtain has still not disappeared. Canada's First Nations continue their fight for justice. And Harold Cardinal's vision is as compelling and powerful as ever.

Genres: Nonfiction, Indigenous, Canada, History, Politics, Social Justice, Justice

167 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1969

Reviews

[Natalie Sypeck]

I liked the first chapter, but this just isn't the kind of non-fiction I like.

[Stephanie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Cardinal's book is informative, sardonic, and sadly, fifty years later, still relevant. It's interesting to read this now with Justin Trudeau as Prime Minister, when the book was written during his father's time in office, especially with how problematic Pierre Trudeau was for Cardinal and Aboriginal people. My main critique is, what about the struggles of Aboriginal women?! Cardinal mentioned Aboriginal women twice in passing, and for the remaining 169/171 pages it was all about Brotherhoods and men.

[Teresa Jolanta · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book should be mandatory reading for all Canadians. Cardinal's vision for Aboriginal peoples in Canada is compelling. Yet, the sad truth remains that over four decades after publication, the 'Buckskin Curtain' persists.

[mariam janad · Rating 4 out of 5]

super insightful piece of work on native american treatment and legislation in canada. i’ve never been a huge reader of these types of books but i think this perspective is something unique that isn’t represented in media on this topic a lot. even though it was published wayyyyy before a lot of new information about reservations and ‘boarding schools’ came to a global light, this book had all the warning signs that i see were not missed but just blatantly ignored.

cardinal also does a phenomenal job in breaking down canadian legislation to comprehensible terms that an average person can understand. in doing this, it’s much easier to see the loopholes and discrepancies in the ‘legal’ documents. it’s also much more understandable when he puts it in order of the actual legislation, the legal interpretations, followed by the consequences that has for native american people. his follow ups of proposed (and often, failed) solutions is also extremely beneficial for readers who are unfamiliar with this part of history.


i would’ve like to have read more about the perspective of indigenous women FROM the testimony of indigenous women rather than through a indigenous man, but that is my only note.

[Ephemera Pie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Really interesting book from a Canadian First Nations person that brings in many politicians I recognize from my childhood. Really disappointing to learn that these same politicians brought forward ideas that were dismissive of an entire culture. Also really interesting that residential schools are brought up but it doesn't touch on the more heinous history that we know about today.

[Lyf · Rating 4 out of 5]

A good, eye-opening look at some of the major tensions around the white paper release in 1969. Harold Cardinal is articulate, and very insightful. I really appreciated this book.

[Jess Staats · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a must-read for any Indigenous person looking to understand a watershed moment in Indigenous political thought and organization following the controversial White Paper under PM P.E. Trudeau, and Minister of Indian Affairs, Jean Chrétien.

[Coatesj · Rating 4 out of 5]

A good overview of the struggle for Indigenous rights prior to the 1960s. Important background for a lot of the political, economic, and social struggles of today.

[Mya · Rating 5 out of 5]

Amazing! Quite the comment on treatment of Indigenous peoples in Canada.

[Clivemichael · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great writing, tells it like it is! Somewhat dated but many of his points remain relevant and unfortunately unaddressed. His caustic sarcasm is a welcome antidote to bureaucratic obfuscation.

[Liam · Rating 3 out of 5]

Well, this book was pretty good to begin with. I agreed with his viewpoints, and understood everything he was trying to say. That being said, there later appeared some issues I disliked.

Cardinal is far too biased for me to consider his work to be entirely accurate. As bad as the systems imposed on the native peoples were, Cardinal would have you believe that no native person ever did anything wrong, the entire government is evil and despises all native peoples, and wishes for their downfall, and that non-native people all are oblivious and foolish. While I agree with the premise of this book, and most of the details, I feel like it is more of an opinion writing than historical fact. A good book detailing injustices against the native peoples, but very biased as well, which calls the whole book into question in terms of accuracy

[Lisa Claire]

Interesting manifesto in response to the Chretien White Paper on Indian and Northern Affairs of the Trudeau era, my copy dates from the seventies. Historically a significant work. However, not being thoroughly versed in the events and issues of the time, it was sometimes a challenging book to read. The message remains the same though, and still quite relevant. I would love to get a more recent copy of the book, to see what the author's response has been to what progress has been made.

[Emma Jarvis · Rating 5 out of 5]

Written in response to Trudeau's so-called 'Just Society' and his cabinet's White Paper. Issues and themes remain relevant.

[Wes Pue · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book broke the 20C story of progress by intruding the specificity of first nations' peculiar claims into the narrative of equality as the sole measure of justice.