Guest Author - Deborah Adams



Dr. Taiaiake Alfred's Peace, Power, Righteousness: an indigenous manifesto, published by Oxford University Press Canada

This book, divided into Peace, Power and Righteousness is further divided into Peace: Native American Political Traditions, Native Political Elites; Power: The Abuse of Power, Re-empowerment, 'Sovereignty' - An Inapporpriate Concept, Colonial Mentalities, Co-optation, Self-Conscious Traditionalism, Leadership, and Responsibility; Righteousness: Money, Modern Treaties: A Path to Assimilation?, and For the Youth: Towards a New Native Leadership. There are also various other pages, Thanksgiving, First words, A Note on Terminology, Notes, Bibliography and an Index.

In an interview from another review of his book he stated " . . . that the whole structure of government in our communities is so established now on the Indian Act basis . . . that it's unrealistic and naive or almost leading people astray, giving them false hope." I believe that this statement has been a long-standing problem with indigenous peoples and government.

He states many true facts such as: "Without a commitment to the development of economic self-sufficiency in a framework of respect for traditional values, money can do nothing to promote decolonization and reassertion of our nationhood."

As for being a 'Hang Around the Fort' - one of those old-time Indians who would pitch their tents right up against the walls of the stockade and survive by begging and running errands for the soldiers and Indian Agents. as he mentioned some feel like they have been at times, I think that anyone in any society or culture should realize that if government is trying to impose things on us that are against our beliefs and values then it is not acceptable to stay in that situation without standing up for ourselves. They have more power and control over us when we do.

If you feel you have been sucked down into the political whirlpool of cultural manipulation this book is a must-read work! A good start on looking into ourselves and our government's control and ways to change things on a personal level.

To read more of his interviews visit here. He also offers other works - a book "Heeding the Voices of Our Ancestors" and an audio casette "The Idea of the Noble Savage Images of Aboriginal Peoples from Columbus to the Present". All of these works can be purchased here.