• Age: 15
• Grade: 10

Government and First Nations leaders have tended to operate within two different systems of knowledge and perception regarding treaty rights issues in Canada. While First Nations emphasize the original spirit or intent of an agreement, government stresses the letter of the agreement. The Spirit of the Alberta Indian Treaties has long been acknowledged as an authoritative source for both oral and documentary perspectives on Alberta treaties. It has been twice cited in landmark decisions by the Supreme Court of Canada since its original publication in 1979. Expanded, and with a new introduction by Richard Price, this third edition supports a growing understanding between leaders of government and First Nations people in Alberta and Canada.

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"Despite the Alberta base of this book it is a good reference text for lawyers in the field of land claims. It has been twice cited in landmark decisions of the Supreme Court of Canada. The authors set out the oral and the documentary perspectives on the treaties. Aside from the educational aspect it is, as they say, a good read." Ronald F. MacIsaac, Advocate

"(E)xcellent - a most balanced collection....I'm delighted that it is back in print, with a new introduction." Donald B. Smith, University of Calgary

"This text has been cited twice by the Supreme Court of Canada, and it has now been expanded in its' 3rd edition. Very readable, it concentrates on the positions, different, of the First Nations and the government. Well balanced, its highlights are the memoirs of various elders and the Indian-White relations in the Prairie West during the fur trade period. A useful study for advocates settling land claims." The Barrister, Alberta Civil Trial Lawyers Association

"(F)rom both official and aboriginal points of view, this collection probes the assumptions, attitudes and expectations that surrounded the negotiations and signings." Olive Patricia Dickason

Spirit of the Alberta Indian Treaties: Third Edition

This collection of articles about the pre-treaty mindsets, treaty negotiation processes and post-treaty impact of Treaties 6-9 is academically rigorous but accessible. This edition includes an article by Dr. Jean Price that elaborates on the complexities of the Aboriginal understandings in the negotiation process. The original edition was used as a reference in two Supreme Court decisions. An intriguing section explains the process and use of oral history through interviews with elders. It shows how this research tool assists federal and provincial governments and courts to develop an understanding of Aboriginal understanding of treaty intentions. It also explains how this can supplement archival documents and treaty text to elaborate on treaty interpretations.