Last Stand of the Lubicon Cree

Michael P. Bradley is a political science sessional instructor at the
University of Edmonton.

This is a readable and captivating chronicle of the key events that
contributed to the sharply changing political status of the Lubicon
people. The first few chapters outline earlier history. The Lubicon were
never signatories of Treaty Eight (1899), which covered northern Alberta
and parts of bordering territories and provinces. By 1911 contact with
the band had been made. In 1940 Lubicon chiefs and Indian Affairs
representatives agreed to a reserve and Ottawa approved the
recommendation. In early 1989 the band came within a breath of final
settlement with federal negotiators. Of the period after 1940, two
generalizations can be made: (i) government treatment of the Lubicon has
often been sordid; and (ii) because of this, Lubicon political strategy
has included extraordinary and effective means (with perhaps bewildering
results).

Goddard provides ample detail with respect to both points. He makes it
clear that both provincial and federal government practices have been
duplicitous more often than not. For example, federal policy has been
biased toward “assimilation” and tarnished by local incompetence,
bureaucratic infighting, and arbitrariness. Sometimes member names were
struck or transferred from band lists, while other times
divide-and-conquer tactics were employed (recently exemplified by the
creation of the Woodland Cree band). Provincial policy exhibits a
special meanness indicated by its support for the land-tenure program,
passage of retroactive legislation, and the unregulated and destructive
economic development of relevant lands. Goddard’s detailed, first-hand
account of Lubicon legal actions, public-relations campaigns,
organizational efforts, and direct political actions is the most
interesting part of this book and will appeal especially to those
concerned about the possibilities for political change.

The only weakness of the book is Goddard’s lack of attention to, or
confusion about, the philosophical issues surrounding Native land
claims. He provides no critical account of the arguments underlying
claims that arose from unmet conditions of prior treaties (and specific
band agreements or claims) versus claims that rest on inherent or
unextinguished aboriginal rights. Still, those who wish to discover what
happened to the Lubicon Cree—and why—should read this book.