Drawing Out Law: A Spirit's Guide

by John Borrows

The Anishinabek Nation's legal traditions are deeply embedded in many aspects of customary life. In Drawing Out Law, John Borrows (Kegedonce) skillfully juxtaposes Canadian legal policy and practice with the more broadly defined Anishinabek perception of law as it applies to community life, nature, and individuals. This innovative work combines fictional and non-fictional elements in a series of connected short stories that symbolize different ways of Anishinabek engagement with the world. Drawing on oral traditions, pictographic scrolls, dreams, common law case analysis, and philosophical reflection, Borrows' narrative explores issues of pressing importance to the future of indigenous law and offers readers new ways to think about the direction of Canadian law. Shedding light on Canadian law and policy as they relate to Indigenous peoples, Drawing Out Law illustrates past and present moral agency of Indigenous peoples and their approaches to the law and calls for the renewal of ancient Ojibway teaching in contemporary circumstances. This is a major work by one of Canada's leading legal scholars, and an essential companion to Canada's Indigenous Constitution .

Genres: Indigenous, Law, Politics, Canada

274 pages, Paperback

First published April 17, 2010

Reviews

[Brenda D]

Wow!
This is a unique book - written by a story teller who entertains while simultaneously making a strong argument for why the law must reflect Indigenous (Anishnaabe) world views. This is must read if you are interested in how Euro-based laws and legal systems can be challenged by new perspectives and understandings. All Canadian law schools should include this book as required reading for students!

[Ben]

Excellent

I picked this book up as it looked interesting, and I am glad I did.

This was a really fascinating book and quite an important read for me.

A great Indigenous book, and also a great law book.

4.5/5

[Chloë]

It was fantastic. Definitely one of those books you get more and more out of each time you read it.

[Rick Humphreys]

Outstanding

The stories told are griping and provide, for non-aboriginal readers, a glimpse into the depth and complexity of aboriginal history, life, and law.

[Janice]

Too much self-indulgence for me. There's also a difference between fiction and anecdote. Didn't really develop Anishinabek understanding of law.

[Faith]

An engaging and insightful read. The last chapter made me cry.

[Abigail]

I've one of the vignettes in this book and liked it very much. I'm looking forward to reading the rest!

I was privileged to have John Borrows as a professor last year, and his book reads much like his classroom presentations. He is always thoughtful, respectful, willing to to push at the edges of our understanding. From what I've read so far, this book provides a unique way to learn about history, tradition, and law: through stories.

[Steven]

Absolutely amazing - perhaps the best book I have read in a year or two!! I think I have to read it ten more times to get a better grasp of it as it is written in a way that suggests, provokes, stimulates thought, and causes self-reflection. Very well done!

[Miriam Martin]

Lovely easy-read introduction to one Indigenous legal theorist's perspective on Indigenous law. John Borrows does however represent the more "liberal", reformist perspective on decolonization. I prefer the radical (and sometimes infuriating!) perspectives of Taiaiake Alfred.

[Leanne Simpson]

nishin.