What was really said? : a consideration of the Nuu-chah-nulth and Kwakwaka'wakw testimonies before the Royal Commission on Indian Affairs for the province of British Columbia (1913-1916)
Date
1995
Authors
Sanders, Deidre Ann
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Abstract
This thesis considers the Nuu-chah-nulth and Kwakwaka'wakw testimonies before the Royal Commission on Indian Affairs for the Province of British Columbia
(1913-1916). To objectively analyze these testimonies content analysis was employed. Some issues considered by Aboriginal testifiers were land additions, Aboriginal title, local education, health care, non-traditional economic activities, and non-Native territorial expansion. The importance of these issues is similar for the Nuu-chah-nulth and Kwakwaka'wakw and the primary concern is additional lands.
A comparison with Naneen Stuckey's 1981 study of the Tsimshian testimonies reveals a relatively high similarity of concerns among these Nations, although the Nuu-chah-nulth and Kwakwaka'wakw are more similar to each other than either is to the Tsimshian.
By considering the Aboriginal testimonies one gains an understanding of the important issues and the First Nation perspective earlier this century. Given the significance of Aboriginal issues in British Columbia today, this provides an important historical background.