Overview

In 1985 and 1986, ninety-year-old Witsuwit'en Chief, Maxlaxlex - or Johnny David as he is better known - was the first Witsuwit'en to give Commission Evidence in the Delgamuukw land claims case in which the Witsuwit'en and Gitxsan of Northern British Columbia were battling for title to their traditional territories. 'Hang Onto These Words' presents the actual transcripts of the questions and answers between lawyers working on both sides and this knowledgeable and outspoken Native elder who spoke in his own language and whose words were then translated by an interpreter into English. The evidence was given in a makeshift courtroom set up in David's own home. Anthropologist Antonia Mills was present during these proceedings, and in this book, she introduces and contextualizes the evidence within the Delgamuukw case. In his testimony, David provides a rich description of the Witsuwit'en way of life as well as the injustices suffered at the hands of Indian agents and settlers. He ends his testimony saying, ""If you hang on to these words, everything will be all right."" The challenge of hearing his voice, and using it to negotiate the meaning and substance of Aboriginal rights remains unresolved and resonant.

Full Product Details

Author:   Antonia Mills
Publisher:   University of Toronto Press
Imprint:   University of Toronto Press
Dimensions:   Width: 15.80cm , Height: 4.20cm , Length: 23.60cm
Weight:   0.860kg
ISBN:  

9780802037466

ISBN 10:   0802037461
Pages:   502
Publication Date:   24 December 2005
Audience:   Professional and scholarly ,  Professional & Vocational
Format:   Hardback
Publisher's Status:   Out of Print
Availability:   Out of stock  

Table of Contents

Foreword HAGWILNEGHL /RONALD A. MITCHELL Foreword MISALOS / VICTOR JIM Foreword MICHAEL JACKSON Acknowledgments Introduction ANTONIA MILLS The Commission Evidence of Witsuwit'en Chief Maxlaxlex / Johnny David VOLUME 1: Direct Examination of Johnny David by Peter Grant, 20 September 1985 VOLUME 2: Direct Examination of Johnny David by Peter Grant, 26-7 September 1985 VOLUME 3: Direct Examination of Johnny David by Peter Grant, 17-19 October 1985 VOLUME 4: Direct Examination of Johnny David by Peter Grant, 19-20 December 1985 VOLUME 5: Direct Examination of Johnny David by Peter Grant, 29-31 January 1986 VOLUME 6: Cross-Examination of Johnny David by John Milne, 24-5 February 1986 VOLUME 7: Cross-Examination of Johnny David by John Milne, 21-2 April 1986 VOLUME 8: Cross-Examination of Johnny David by John Milne, 28 April 1986 Redirect Examination of Johnny David by Peter Grant, 29 April 1986 Cross-Examination of Johnny David by John Milne, 29 April 1986 Notes Glossary References Credits and Sources Index

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Author Information

Antonia Mills is an associate professor in the First Nations Studies Program at the University of Northern British Columbia.

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