Colonialism on Trial. Indigenous Land Rights and the Gitksan and
Wet'suwet'en Sovereignty Case is a most unusual North American
history book. Utilizing image and text, it documents the Gitksan
and Wet'suwet'en land title action against the English Crown which
began in Smithers, British Columbia, Canada in 1987, ended in 1990,
and is presently under appeal. The book is an unprecedented
collection of sketches, portraits, photos and news reports
interwoven with dozens of pages of actual transcript and
translation from the trial.
>From three years of sketch diaries, activist-cartoonist-journalist,
Don Monet skilfully draws the reader into becoming a spectator of
a courtroom drama that few people have witnessed. His unique
layout of the book mirrors the actual case and offers a rare
glimpse of this important trial. His political cartoons provide
counterpoint to the sometimes disturbing actions of counsels for
Canada and B.C., while his sensitive portraits captures the dignity
of the plaintiff witnesses appearing before Chief Justice
McEachern.
Gitksan speaker, Skanu'u (Ardythe Wilson) provides continuity to
the book with an insightful introduction to each chapter from the
perspective of the people behind the court case. She shares an
intimate knowledge of the story within the story, a strong voice
echoing the anger and compassion of her people over the progressive
destruction of their Territories.
Colonialism on Trial is eclectic, educational and often down-right
funny. Together, Don Monet and Skanu'u have succeeded in creating
a plain-reading book for people who have been mystified or
intimidated by the North American justice system and aboriginal
cultures, or for the growing number of people who are fully aware
of injustice in Canada.
Copies of Colonialism on Trial are available from:
Office of the Gitksan and Wet'suwet'en Hereditary Chiefs
P.O. Box 229 301 - 68 Water Street
Hazelton, B.C. Vancouver, B.C.
CANADA V0J 1Y0 CANADA V6B 1A4
604-842-6511 604-682-1990
FAX: 604-842-6828 FAX: 604-682-8752
or contact New Society Publishers in Gabriola, B.C. Canada or
Philadelphia, PA, your local bookstore,
or phone In-Book Distributors at 800-253-3605.
ISBN: 0-86571-219-0 USA ISBN: 1-55092-161-4 CANADA
Fifty percent of the royalties made on this book will be directed
into a Trust Fund for the Office of the Hereditary Chiefs, to
contribute towards the Appeal. For more information on the Appeal