A History of the Original Peoples of Northern Canada
Keith J. CroweFor four centuries foreign peoples have encroached upon the
ancient territories of Indians and Inuit. The uneven balance of
power is reflected in written histories that ignore or undervalue
the pre-European period, the native side of trade and exploration,
and the part played by individual native men and women.
This history has been written as a classroom text for northern
native students of early teenage, but it may serve a wider audience.
It leaves much to be desired — reflecting the inexperience of
the author and some rather bizarre working conditions. It is,
however, a beginning, and its very imperfections may arouse
other (perhaps native) authors to write with the same target and
better aim.
It is never possible to thank by name all those who collaborate
in the making of a history book. The following people have played
major and indispensable roles:
A. J. “Moose” Kerr, head of the Northern Science Research
Group, Department of Indian and Northern Affairs, approved and
nurtured the project.
Pat McCormack supplied the results of several months of
research among Athapascan peoples and much theoretical guidance.
George Diveky contributed his linguistic skill, scholarship,
and experience of life in northern Quebec. Evelyn Clarke provided
valuable summaries of historic documents.
Jacobie Ikeperiar, John Pudnak, Roy Daniels, John T’Seleie, and
Edwin Scurvey were regional researchers from Baffin Island to
the Yukon.
Graham Rowley, Alex Stevenson, and Dudley Copland volunteered
their profound experience of the north and of history writing.