Spring/Summer 2005 - University of Toronto Press Publishing

GENERAL INTERESTHidden in Plain SightContributions of Aboriginal Peoples to Canadian Identity and Culture, Volume 1Edited by David R. Newhouse, Cora J. Voyageur, and Daniel J.K. BeavonThe history of Aboriginal people in Canada taughtin schools and depicted in the media tends to focuson Aboriginal displacement from native lands andthe consequent social and cultural disruptions theyhave endured. Collectively, they are portrayed aspassive victims of European colonization and governmentpolicy, and, even when well intentioned,these depictions are demeaning and do little to trulyrepresent the role Aboriginal peoples have played inCanadian life. Hidden in Plain Sight adds anotherdimension to the story, showing the extraordinarycontributions Aboriginal peoples have made – andcontinue to make – to the Canadian experience.From treaties to contemporary arts and literatures,Aboriginal peoples have helped to defineCanada and have worked to secure a place of theirown making in Canadian culture. For this volume,editors David R. Newhouse, Cora J. Voyageur, andDaniel J.K. Beavon have brought together leadingscholars and other impassioned voices, and togetherthey give full treatment to the Aboriginal contributionto Canada’s intellectual, political, economic,social, historic, and cultural landscapes. Includedare profiles of several leading figures such as actorChief Dan George, artist Norval Morrisseau,author Tomson Highway, activist Anna Mae PictouAquash, and politician Phil Fontaine, among others.Canada simply would not be what it is todaywithout these contributions. The first of two volumes,Hidden in Plain Sight is key to understandingand appreciating Canadian society and will beessential reading for generations to come.David R. Newhouse is an associate professor in theDepartment of Native Studies and the principal ofGzowski College at Trent University.Cora J. Voyageur is an associate professor in theDepartment of Sociology at the University of Calgary.Daniel J.K. Beavon is the director of the StrategicResearch and Analysis Directorate of Indian andNorthern Affairs Canada.Of related interest:In the Words of EldersAboriginal Cultures in TransitionEdited by Peter Kulchyski, Don McCaskill, andDavid R. Newhouse0-8020-7953-9 / £20.00 / $32.95 / 1999NATIVE STUDIESApprox. 420 pp / 6 1 /2 x 9 1 /2 / June 200560 halftones; 9 colour illustrationsCloth ISBN 0-8020-8800-7 £45.00 $70.00 EPaper ISBN 0-8020-8581-4 £22.50 $35.00 CCultural Identity by Daphne Odjig.5