Territory Acknowledgement

The province of Newfoundland and Labrador is situated in the traditional territory of various Indigenous groups, and I respectfully acknowledge the diverse histories and cultures of the Beothuk, Mi’kmaq, Innu, and Inuit who have called this place home since time immemorial.

Introduction

Before undergraduate studies, I was unaware of the diverse Indigenous history in Newfoundland and Labrador (NL)—only learning about the Beothuk “extinction” (note the quotation marks here, as Indigenous oral history states that the Beothuk continued on in Mi’kmaq and Innu communities) and the Maritime Archaic (a First Nations group who lived in the province and elsewhere in the Maritimes and New England approximately 9,000 to 3,200 years ago). Throughout undergraduate studies, I learned of the many injustices faced by Indigenous Peoples in Labrador and Newfoundland (and elsewhere around the world), which motivated my research focus in graduate studies at Memorial. In 2021-2022, I completed my Master of Arts degree in the Department of Anthropology, exploring the representation of Indigenous cultures in the digital heritage of two National Historic Sites/UNESCO World Heritage Sites: 1) Red Bay National Historic Site; and 2) L’Anse aux Meadows National Historic Site. Linked to my master’s research, I am currently working on my PhD in the Department of Archaeology, investigating the in-person and virtual representation of Indigenous cultures at various museums throughout NL.

Throughout my journey in academia and through work with Indigenous community members, I have learned two important things: 1) Many non-Indigenous residents in NL do not believe there are any Indigenous Peoples in the province; and 2) it is not only the responsibility of researchers and students in the areas studying with Indigenous Peoples but all academics practicing in the province to learn the Indigenous history of the place for which they study to help combat the erasure of Indigenous Peoples caused by colonization. As such, I have decided to use this blog post to list some of the books and courses that have helped me learn more as a settler researcher and graduate student at Memorial, with the hope that it will help fellow graduate students learn more about the diverse Indigenous history in NL.

Book Recommendations: Indigenous-Authored and Indigenous-Themed

The following is a list of recommended books I found helpful in learning more on Indigenous history in NL based on my experience growing up in the province as a settler.

My Indian (by Saqamaw Mi’sel Joe and Sheila O’Neill, 2021)

This book is a historical fiction written by Saqamaw (Chief) Mi’sel Joe and Mi’kmaw Drum Carrier Sheila O’Neill using Mi’kmaw oral history to re-story the famous journey of William Epps Cormack across the island of Newfoundland to look for Beothuk. Focusing on the experiences and perspective of Sylvestor Joe, the Mi’kmaw guide accompanying Cormack in his journey, My Indian reclaims Mi’kmaw perspectives in Newfoundland history. Interestingly, the title “My Indian” is used as Cormack only referred to Sylvestor Joe as “My Indian” in his journals written about the trip.

Sulieway: The Sequel to My Indian (by Saqamaw Mi’sel Joe and Sheila O’Neill, 2023)

As the title suggests, this novel is a continuation of My Indian by Saqamaw Mi’sel Joe and Sheila O’Neill, expanding on the experiences of Sylvestor Joe as he looks for the last remaining Beothuk community. By exploring the experiences of Joe and his potential interaction with the Beothuk, this work challenges the accepted settler notion that the Mi’kmaq were active participants in the genocide of the Beothuk. Further, it supports Mi’kmaw and Innu oral histories that the Beothuk merged with their neighbouring Algonquin communities on the island and in Labrador.

A Long Journey: Residential Schools in Labrador and Newfoundland (by Andrea Procter, 2020)

This book is written by Andrea Procter, an anthropologist and Adjunct Professor in the Departments of Anthropology and Archaeology at Memorial, based on the stories and experiences shared by Inuit and Innu survivors of residential schools in Labrador and Newfoundland. By sharing these stories, Procter tells the history of residential and boarding schools in the province that is often neglected when discussing provincial and Canadian history—evident in the survivors in NL being left out of the national apology by the Canadian government in 2008.

One Man’s Journey (by Elder Calvin White, 2023)

This book covers Elder Calvin White’s seven-decade life, interweaving his personal experiences with the history of the Mi’kmaw movement in Newfoundland. Elder White is a Mi’kmaw man born and raised in Flat Bay, Newfoundland, a former chief of the Flat Bay Band, and one of the founders of the Aboriginal revival in NL to form the Federation of Newfoundland Indians. His work offers a personal and critical perspective of the challenges the Mi’kmaw movement faced (and continues to face) toward recognition in Newfoundland. It serves as a call to action for the next generation to pursue Indigenous recognition in the province.

Voices of Inuit Leadership and Self-Determination in Canada (Edited by David Lough, 2020)

This collection of essays features works by diverse authors (e.g., Inuit, non-Inuit, youth, Elders, academics, and community members) exploring various perspectives on Inuit leadership and self-determination. From traditional storytelling to critical discourse, it examines political aspects, cultural narratives, and research agendas, showing Inuit-led progress toward culturally rooted leadership based on autonomy and self-determination.

History and Renewal of Labrador’s Inuit-Métis (Edited by John C. Kennedy, 2014)

This collection of essays explores the research on the archaeology, history, and contemporary challenges of NunatuKavut Inuit in Central and Southern Labrador (formerly known as the Inuit-Métis). This work effectively challenges established notions of Labrador Indigenous history with essays written by senior researchers and emerging scholars.

21 Things You May Not Know About the Indian Act (by Bob Joseph, 2018)

As the title suggests, this book features 21 things the general public may not know about the Indian Act in Canada—this act being the legislation governing Indigenous Peoples (First Nations, Inuit, and Métis) in Canada. Bob Joseph is the Chief of the Gwawaenuk Nation, a First Nations band in British Columbia, the founder and president of Indigenous Corporate Training (an Indigenous relations firm) and a former Associate Professor at Royal Roads University.

The Inconvenient Indian: A Curious Account of Native People in North America (by Thomas King, 2012)

This final book discusses life as an “Indian” in North America using the author’s lived experiences, Indigenous history, and cultural critique. Thomas King, a Canadian-American writer of Cherokee and settler descent, reshapes historical narratives on Indigenous history, examines popular cultural perspectives on Indigenous Peoples, and advocates for the understanding of Indigenous Peoples’ experiences based on historical and contemporary injustices. This book is essential for non-Indigenous people to understand the experiences of systemic injustice faced by Indigenous Peoples throughout history.

Course Recommendations: Indigenous-Themed

Similar to the book recommendations above, this section lists courses I found helpful in learning more about Indigenous Peoples in NL and beyond. Please note each course is hyperlinked to its Memorial University Calendar/Departmental course description.

Anthropology 2414: Critical Indigenous Studies

Archaeology/History 1005: Reading and Writing in Indigenous Studies

Archaeology 2481: Ancient Civilizations of the Americas

Archaeology 2482: Indigenous Peoples and the Struggle for Self-Determination

Archaeology 3290: First Peoples of Newfoundland and Labrador

Archaeology 3291: First Peoples of the Maritime Provinces

Archaeology 3510: The Ancient Americas

Archaeology 3588: Arctic Archaeology

Archaeology 6685: When Worlds Meet: Nature/Culture and Ontological Conflicts

Conclusion

Hopefully, this blog post serves as a starting point for self-education on Indigenous history in NL. However, while I have tried to include as many Indigenous-authored/Indigenous-themed books and courses exploring Indigenous topics as possible, nothing can replace the history as told by Indigenous Peoples in NL.