Indigenous Nationhood

Indigenous Nationhood is a selection of blog posts by well-known lawyer, activist and academic Pamela Palmater. Palmater offers critical legal and political commentary and analysis on legislation, Aboriginal rights, Canadian politics, First Nations politics and social issues such as murdered and missing Indigenous women, poverty, economics, identity and culture. Palmater’s writing tackles myths and stereotypes about Indigenous peoples head-on, discusses Indigenous nationhood and nation building, examines treaty rights and provides an accessible, critical analysis of laws and government policies being imposed on Indigenous peoples.

Fiercely anti-racist and anti-colonial, this book is intended to help rebuild the connections between Indigenous citizens and their home communities, local governments and Indigenous Nations for the benefit of future generations.

“Like the tools that our ancestors used for survival, Palmater’s words are sharp like a knife.”

— Chief Lynn Acoose, Sakimay First Nation

“Through Palmater’s relentless pursuit for justice and improved quality of life, she will undoubtedly set a new era for positive change for this country.”

— Chief Deborah Robinson, Acadia First Nation

“Palmater’s blogs provide a glimpse of the deep complexities we face as indigenous peoples living in a colonial Canada. Her words are the articulation of this generation’s frustration with Canadian colonial policy.”

— Derek Nepinak, Grand Chief, Assembly of Manitoba Chiefs

“This work is vital in terms of ‘de-entrenching’ a Canadian problem affecting an entire country — a colonial experiment gone bad. Pam’s insights are important and reliable.”

— Chief Isadore Day (Wiindawtegowinini), Serpent River First Nation

“Pamela Palmater is one of the strong voices of a new generation of Native activists and intellectuals. Her essays on Indigenous Nationhood are intelligent, thoughtful, and well informed. And they take no prisoners.”

— Thomas King, author of An Inconvenient Indian