Acclaimed author and historian to deliver presentation on Mi’kmaq history, February 11 rescheduled to March 4

The Department of Indigenous Studies at Cape Breton University’s Unama’ki College is welcoming renowned author and Mi’kmaw Elder Dr. Daniel N. Paul for a public presentation on Monday, March 4 at 12 noon in the Multi-purpose Room, Student, Culture and Heritage Building. Dr. Paul will present a talk on his award-winning book Mi’kmaq History: We Were Not The Savages.

An acclaimed Mi’kmaw historian and Elder in the L’nu community, Dr. Paul is a passionate writer who gives a voice to his people by revealing a past that the standard histories have chosen to ignore. By bringing new understanding and perspective to the past, he seeks to teach all people what damage racism can do.

“It’s important for our students to learn from resources outside of the classroom as it enhances the learning environment and causes them to think differently,” explains Professor Tuma Young, Department of Indigenous Studies. “Dr. Paul is a highly respected member of the community, who will speak about an important part of our history. This is a great opportunity for students, faculty, staff and the broader community to learn more about it.”

Mi’kmaq History: We Were Not The Savages is a history of the near demise, from a Mi’kmaq perspective, of ancient democratic North American First Nations, caused by the European invasion of the Americas, with special focus on the Mi’kmaq.

Published in 1993, the book received first prize co-winner for non-fiction at the Sixth Annual City of Dartmouth Book and Writing Awards in 1994. Now in its third printing, We Were Not The Savages has been on the Nova Scotia bestseller list, inspired the play Strange Humours and is cited as a reference in many books and articles. A recipient of the Order of Canada, Dr. Paul has also been recognized by the Universite Sainte-Anne with an honourary Doctor of Letters Degree and by the City of Halifax with a Millennium Award.