Following the success of First Invaders (Ronsdale, 2004), Alan Twigg turns his attention to First Nations writers, unearthing more than 300 books by more than 170 mostly unheralded British Columbia aboriginal authors. Taking the reader from residential schools to art galleries, this lively and unprecedented panorama of British Columbia includes trailblazer Pauline Johnson, political organizer George Manuel and Haida carver Bill Reid. Equally important, Aboriginality sheds new light on fascinating, lesser-known figures such as Chief William Sepass, and Howard Adams, to name only two. Nearly half the author profiles are women, including Marilyn Dumont, Lizette Hall and Heather Harris. Each author is presented in historical and chronological context, along with background material on aboriginal history, as well as rare photos, illustrations and a comprehensive bibliography. "Alan Twiggs Aboriginality is unprecedented and indispensable." —Howard White, publisher, Encyclopedia of British Columbia.
“Aboriginality is not a comprehensive reference work by any means, but it's something more valuable: a starting point for discovering the mostly unsung native writers who have put pen to paper in B.C. . . . a must-read” — Vancouver Sun
“Twigg’s new book alters the face of Canadian literature. It is a must-read.” —Wendy Wickwire, History Dept., University of Victoria
“Alan Twigg’s Aboriginality is unprecedented and indispensable.” —Howard White, Publisher, Encyclopedia of British Columbia
This book introduces 170 First Nations authors (including painters, carvers, illustrators and editors) who have collectively produced 300 books since 1900. The authors are chronologically sorted into four sections: writers who worked between 1900 and 1981; writers whose output followed the founding of Theytus Books and the En’owkin Centre; authors not primarily known for their literary output; and fifty-five abbreviated entries. Aboriginality acknowledges the individuals who made available primary source material to European ethnographers, anthropologists and artists recording early twentieth-century Aboriginal culture.
Alan Twigg is the author of eleven books, and the founder of BC BookWorldand a public service website: abcbookworld.com.
Source: The Association of Book Publishers of BC. BC Books for BC Schools. 2006-2007.