Indigenous Peoples Atlas of Canada

I was expecting something really good, but it is Great, Fantastic, Outstanding ValueEvery Canadian should have access to this Atlas.It's actually four books in a slip case.I'm an old white male trying to understand the news and the First Nations situation. This set is like a university course.

In 2017, Prime Minister Trudeau used his speech at the United Nations to finally acknowledge before the world the disgraceful history of Canada’s colonization as one of “humiliation, neglect and abuse”, and promised to do more to help the nation’s 1.4 million Indigenous people.What is needed is not simply a re-presentation of the past, but also a new perspective that allows us to chart a more affirmative way forward. As the great philosopher Gilles Deleuze suggested, “make a map, not a tracing”, and the beautiful Indigenous Peoples Atlas of Canada does just that.The authors explain: “Terra nullius, a Latin expression meaning “nobody’s land,” is a principle sometimes used in international law to describe territory that may be acquired by a state’s occupation of it. The earliest explorers to North America enacted this principle to claim occupation of the continent in the name of their kings and queens when they considered the original inhabitants inferior to the title of human.”The reality, however, is that “there is a continuous record of occupation in Canada by Indigenous Peoples dating from 14,000 BC.” This frame helps put things in a broader context, in much the same way that Yuval Harari’s Sapiens, Homo Deus and 21 Lessons for the 21st Century put things in a broader perspective.Even though I have a graduate degree, I was woefully ignorant of most of the history and current affairs issues addressed in this four-volume set. It is fair to say that educated Canadians usually know far more about injustices in other parts of the world, than those that have taken place in “our own” backyard, such as the history of residential schools:“Beginning in the 1800s, government-sponsored religious schools were established to assimilate Indigenous children into Euro-Canadian culture. Children were removed from their families and placed in boarding schools where they were prepared for domestic and farm labour. The children were punished for speaking their Indigenous languages or practicing their (non-Christian) faith traditions. Mortality rates were high, and abuse was common.In total, an estimated 150,000 First Nations, Inuit and Metis children attended residential schools.”The atlas consists of an introductory volume which includes numerous, detailed maps of indigenous territories, as well as a highly informative glossary. The three other volumes are devoted to the First Nations; to the Metis; and to the Inuit. While each of the volumes is excellent, they each have a unique structure and content, an appropriate editorial decision given the immense differences among the histories and cultures of each of these groups.Julian Brave NoiseCat, Natan Obed, the organization Indspire and everyone involved in the preparation of these beautiful and highly informative volumes deserve a heartful thanks from all Canadians: kinanaskomitin, nakummek.

I have purchased more than 6 sets or children I know, from the age of 9 months to late-teens. These are not really for the normal pre-teen, but there is much they can learn to understand how others see the world. For the youngest children, these are books that will retain much of their value in 10-15 years from now, and they make an important statement for our times in Canada.Parents have told me how they have benefitted from taking their children through some of the complexities that appear in the articles in the four volumes, and how difficult topics are faced, and are there to lead the reader to doing deeper research on the histories and actions of the past 400 years of european settlement here.I have another 12 children on my list and will get them out this year.

Arrived promptly, in excellent condition. The material in the books is invaluable for anyone, and awathetically pleasing to read.I would recommend this to anyone interested in indigenous and/or Canadian history. Would be a great addition to anyones personal book collection

An incredible four volume set that every house should have. Accessible, engaging, transformative!Contains four individual books with four themes: the Indigenous people’s atlas, First Nations, Inuit, and Metis. Got a great pre release deal!Only disappointment is I was expecting large floor maps but maybe earlier plans were to include and had to be scrapped as it was delayed due to the high interest!!Highly recommend