Development of Aboriginal Peoples' Communities

David R. Hutchinson is a consultant in Saskatchewan’s Indian and
Métis Education Branch.

This book focuses primarily on the social, cultural, political, and
economic changes that occurred within Canadian aboriginal communities in
the 20th century. The author’s historical overview encompasses both
federal-government-sponsored recommendations (the Hawthorne Report,
White Paper, Berger Report) and individual Native community-based
initiatives such as “The Porcupine Caribou Management Board” and
“The Gitksan Wet’suwet’en Model of Balance.”

Essentially, Elias provides a comprehensive perspective on the diverse
community development policies and practices implemented by status,
nonstatus, and Métis peoples. His analysis includes resource
management, economic (business) development, self-government, and
cultural recovery and preservation. Elias also offers insight into the
planning process—a process that privileges social justice and Native
philosophy. His emphasis on the role of Elders and research by the
Lethbridge Aboriginal Women’s Group would suggest that the acquisition
of money and power should not rest at the centre of Native
community-development theory and practice.

This text would be most beneficial to band administrators and
community developers interested in familiarizing themselves with the
development strategies designed by Native peoples across Canada.