Chief: The fearless vision of Billy Diamond

by Roy MacGregor

Book by MacGregor, Roy

Genres: Indigenous, History

297 pages, Hardcover

First published January 1, 1989

About the author

Roy MacGregor is a Canadian author of fiction and non-fiction.

Reviews

[Jade Adams · Rating 5 out of 5]

"Great obstacles make great leaders... No failure is as bad as the failure to try... You must be willing to risk failure. Leadership requires that you have strong personal convictions, that you can convert people to your cause, that you can challenge people to do their best and that you know when to cut the cord and let them lead on their own."

I don't normally read biographies, but this book helped me more deeply understand the fight to create the Cree Nation of Northern Quebec, the historical background that made this so difficult, and how Billy Diamond's leadership played such a huge role. MacGregor portrays Diamond in his best times and his worst to show a full person and help the reader understand the full life behind the leader.

[Lisa · Rating 3 out of 5]

Great perspective on the James Bay, Quebec hydroelectric project and the economic development of the James Bay Cree's nation from the Cree's viewpoint. Not exactly riveting, but a worthwhile read if you're interested in the region and people from different angles than you normally would be presented with.

[Darryl Diamond · Rating 5 out of 5]

Read and re-read to learn new characters of his peoples, his family. I can re-read this as the author captures connection of ancestral character that connected to swampy Cree today. This will remain atop my bookshelf for the rest of my days