Applied Anthropology in Canada: Understanding Aboriginal Issues

S. Barry Cottam is the editor and publisher of SSHARE and a historical
consultant in Ottawa.

The author’s main goal in this wide-ranging, thoughtful, and
jargon-free study is to challenge anthropology to enter the public arena
and to define for itself new roles that will establish a relevance and
direction now lacking in the discipline.

Following his brief overview of the history both of anthropology and of
aboriginal issues in Canada, Hedican goes on to examine the concept of
cultural relativism, the ethical issues associated with anthropological
research, and the role of the social scientist with respect to advocacy.
Rounding out the author’s balanced analysis are examples drawn from
the experience of the James Bay Cree. Hedican then discusses public
policy, economic development, self-government, and aboriginal
status/identity from the perspective of current debates in applied
anthropology. It is not until the final pages of the book that he
reveals his own point of view.

Applied Anthropology in Canada will be of interest to historians and
those involved with ethnic studies, policymaking, or Native issues.