Re - Fractured Homeland

Apr 25, 2018

I’ve recently finished reading an excellent book, “Fractured Homeland: Federal Recognition and Algonquin Identity in Ontario”, by Bonita Lawrence. It is an eye-opening and moving account that clarifies the outrageousness of Canada's long and ongoing history of "divide and conquer," exemplified today in government land claims policies. The book brings together documentary research and local voices to highlight the complex dilemmas faced by our Algonquin neighbours – "status" and "non-status" – in the Ottawa River watershed.

Indigenous rights and the need for reconciliation have finally gained broad public attention, as they should. Locally, however, there has been very little news about the Algonquin land claim or about the Algonquin communities in our area, both those involved in the claim and those who are not. Until a friend borrowed “Fractured Homeland” from the library in Plevna, I hadn’t even known there was a book about this complex and conflicted situation.

But there is, and it is well worth reading. It will change and enrich all our conversations about living in this place and time.

Helen Forsey

Ompah