To Share, Not Surrender: Indigenous and Settler Visions of Treaty-Making in the Colonies of Vancouver Island and British Columbia

To Share, Not Surrender is a multivocal work that explores the history and knowledge of Indigenous-settler conflict over land, opening scholarship to the public and augmenting it with First Nations community expertise. It critically traces the transition from treaty-making in the colony of Vancouver Island to reserve formation in the colony of British Columbia.

Format: Hardback
Length: 330 pages
Publication date: 20 December 2021
Publisher: University of British Columbia Press

To Share, Not Surrender is a groundbreaking approach to scholarship that opens up access to knowledge and expertise from the First Nations community. The book takes readers on a journey back to 1849, when James Douglas and his family relocated to Fort Victoria on Vancouver Island, tracing the transition from treaty-making in the colony of Vancouver Island to reserve formation in the colony of British Columbia. Informed by the spirit of celaṉen, which means "our culture, the way of our people," the book features a multivocal approach, including essays, translations/interpretations of treaties into the SENĆOŦEN and Lekwungen languages, and contributions by participants of the Songhees, Huu-ay-aht, and WSANEC peoples.

This all-encompassing exploration of the struggle over land serves as a powerful tool for advancing the urgent task of reconciliation in Canada. By bringing together diverse perspectives and voices, To Share, Not Surrender contributes to a deeper understanding of the complex history and ongoing challenges faced by Indigenous and settler communities. It is a must-read for anyone interested in promoting justice, equality, and harmony in our society.

Dimension: 229 x 152 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9780774863827