Author Description

"In December 1997, the Supreme Court of Canada brought down the landmark Delgamuukw decision on Native land claims. Triumphantly welcomed by Native leaders across Canada and fiercely derided by its critics, this decision has unleashed a storm of controversy among Native and non-Native groups. But what does the decision actually say, and what does it really mean? This book presents the entire text of the Delgamuukw decision, with a commentary by Stan Persky. Persky provides background information on the Gitxsan-Wet'sewet'en people of British Columbia, who brought the case to court, and analyzes the meaning of the decision. He also offers guidelines for how to read the decision and highlights the most important parts of the document. Anyone who is interested in how this groundbreaking judgement will affect future negotiations and treaties will find this book an indispensable guide."--Back cover.