Our Land: The Maritimes examines the historical and legal background to Indigenous land claims in New Brunswick, Prince Edward Island, and Nova Scotia, tracing the patterns of land dealings that resulted in the setting up of reserves, the creation of Status and Non-Status Indians, and a government policy of assimilation.
A groundbreaking work published in 1980 by the Aboriginal Rights and Land Claims Commission of the Métis and Non-Status Indians, Our Land: The Maritimes was critical in challenging the political consensus that Indigenous land claims in the Maritimes had been “superseded by law.” This foundational book, now reissued with a new preface by co-editor G.P. Gould, draws upon historical documents including proclamations, treaties, and laws. Chronicling the large-scale land loss and assimilation as a result of the creation of the Indian Act, Our Land: The Maritimes delves into records from the 17th and 18th centuries to find evidence of early acknowledgment of Aboriginal Title and provides a legal analysis of why it still exists today.