The political life of Dene leader Georges Erasmus — a radical Native rights crusader widely regarded as one of the most important Indigenous leaders of the past fifty years.

For decades, Georges Erasmus led the fight for Indigenous rights. From the Berger Inquiry to the Canadian constitutional talks to the Oka Crisis, Georges was a significant figure in Canada’s political landscape. In the 1990s, he led the Royal Commission on Aboriginal Peoples and afterward was chair and president of the Aboriginal Healing Foundation, around the time that Canada’s residential school system became an ongoing frontpage story.

Georges’s five-decade battle for Indigenous rights took him around the world and saw him sitting across the table from prime ministers and premiers. In the 1980s, when Georges was the National Chief of the Assembly of First Nations, he was referred to as the “Thirteenth Premier.” This book tells the personal story of his life as a leading Indigenous figure, taking the reader inside some of Canada’s biggest crises and challenges.

Wayne K. Spear was born in Buffalo, New York, and grew up in Fort Erie, Ontario. A Kanien’kehá:ka (Mohawk), he has worked for more than two decades in health and education. He is the president of Spear Communications Group, an organizational development firm. His previous books include Residential Schools, with the Words and Images of Survivors and Full Circle: The Aboriginal Healing Foundation and the Unfinished Work of Hope, Healing, and Reconciliation. He lives in Toronto.

Wayne K. Spear's profile page

Georges Erasmus was born in Fort Rae, Northwest Territories. He is a former President of the Indian Brotherhood of Northwest Territories (later the Dene Nation), National Chief of the Assembly of First Nations, and Chair of the Aboriginal Healing Foundation. Georges was co-chair of the Royal Commission on Aboriginal Peoples, established by the Prime Minister of Canada to examine the historical relationship between Indigenous peoples and the government. He has received the Aboriginal Achievement Award for Public Service and he is an Officer of the Order of Canada. He lives in Yellowknife.

Georges Erasmus' profile page

The Honourable JODY WILSON-RAYBOULD, P.C., Q.C., M.P., is the Independent Member of Parliament for Vancouver Granville. She served as the Minister of Justice and Attorney General of Canada, the Minister of Veterans Affairs and the Associate Minister of National Defence until her resignation in 2019 following the SNC-Lavalin affair. Wilson-Raybould is a lawyer, an advocate and a leader in British Columbia’s First Nations. She has been a provincial crown prosecutor, a councillor for the We Wai Kai Nation, a chair of the First Nations Finance Authority and has served as regional chief of the BC Assembly of First Nations.

Jody Wilson-Raybould is a descendant of the Musgamagw Tsawataineuk and Laich-Kwil-Tach peoples, which are part of the Kwakwaka’wakw and also known as the Kwak’wala-speaking peoples. She is a member of the We Wai Kai Nation. Her traditional name, Puglaas, means “woman born to noble people.”

Jody Wilson-Raybould's profile page

A genuine, in-person testament of service to community, local and worldwide.

Antoine Mountain, author of From Bear Rock Mountain

A love story of family, community, and always, the land.

Shelagh Rogers O.C.

Georges Erasmus has been at the heart of the Indigenous revolution in Canada for over 60 years — his passion, humour, humanity, and wisdom emerge in this great memoir and history lesson. Canada is a much better country for his years of leadership and service.

Bob Rae, Ambassador and Permanent Representative of Canada to the United Nations

Georges is a man of righteousness and his book speaks directly on it.

Konrad Sioui, former AFN Regional Chief for Quebec and Labrador

A riveting, deeply personal account of history in the making from an Indigenous leader who inspired us to believe in the power of our Indigenous teachings, and who expects a return to our “Nation to Nation” relationship.

Mike Kanentakeron Mitchell, former Akwasasne Grand Chief