Indigenous Peoples: First Nations, Inuit and Métis
Indigenous peoples’ perspectives have been neglected and demeaned for centuries, but enjoy a resurgence in the 21st century. The analysis and comment illustrated here, reflects on different aspects of the Indigenous experience. Paul Smith is a citizen of the Métis Nation and comments from that perspective. Examples are provided here of writing, commentary and journalism on Indigenous issues.
Coming soon: “To Batoche and Back” in “Mihko Kiskisiwin – Blood Memory”
Podcast: First Nations, Agriculture and Colonialism with Cadmus Delorme, Jan 2022. Agriculture played an important role in colonialism and the dispossession of Indigenous peoples. Chief Cadmus Delorme recounts the history of agriculture and colonialism on Cowessess First Nation, Treaty 4 in Saskatchewan. Chief Delorme traces the history from European contact, signing of Treaty 4, Treaty obligations, the Indian Agents’ power to control First Nations people, the pass system requiring the Indian Agents’ approval of sales of grain and cattle, and arbitrary reductions in the size of the Cowessess reserve land area. This was part of a conference held by FHQ Developments and is used with their permission.
Every Child Matters: Our first official National Day for Truth and Reconciliation. The national shock still resonates, but Canadians are finally beginning to face the truth. Paul Smith, Guelph Mercury, Tuesday, September 28, 2021
Two hundred and fifteen Indigenous children: Yet another reckoning.
Real reconciliation with First Nations, Inuit and Métis is Canada’s historic task for coming decades, Paul Smith, Guelph Mercury, Tuesday, June 22, 2021
John A. Macdonald: Canada’s contradictory symbol. He is not a symbol to revere, but one to help us learn our true history, not the myth. Guelph Mercury Tribune, September 2020.
The State of Indigenous Affairs in Canada 2018, GUELPH POLITICAST #152 podcast – Paul Smith, Métis Writer and Activist
Frozen: Ice, Arctic Ecosystems, Wildlife and Indigenous Culture, article in The Anvil, 2018
Top stories of 2016 for Indigenous peoples in Canada, article published in The Ontarian 2017
Métis man wants John A. Macdonald schools renamed with Indigenous leaders, interview on CBC Kitchener, 2017
The whole Canada 150 celebration is difficult for First Nations, Métis and Inuit, June 14, 2017 Guelph Mercury
Reconciliation with Métis still needed – Guelph Mercury, Nov 2015
Métis seeing renaissance of culture and pride – Cambridge Times, 2015
Can reconciliation really happen this time, after this dose of truth? Guelph Mercury, 2015
After 1812 Betrayal: British relied on First Nations to win the war and then dumped them, Straight Goods news website, 2012.