The Comeback

In the wake of the Idle No More protest movement, John Ralston Saul decided to write a book about Canada's difficult relationship with the First Nations. In it, he argues that they are now poised to reclaim a central place in Canadian affairs. Paul Kennedy explores the thesis with Saul and Hayden King of Ryerson University.

CBC News Posted: Jun 30, 2015 9:26 AM EDT | Last Updated: June 30, 2015

Brittmey Picody, Brad Picody and Brock Lewis drum as Idle No More protesters gather as part of a worldwide mass day of action to mark the 250th anniversary of the British Royal Proclamation in front of the Museum of Civilization in Gatineau, Que., on Monday, Oct. 7, 2013. (Justin Tang/Canadian Press)

Ideas53:59The Comeback

In the wake of the Idle No More protest movement,JohnRalstonSauldecided to write a book about Canada's difficult relationship with the First Nations. In it, he argues that they are now poised to reclaim a central place in Canadian affairs.Paul Kennedyexplores the thesis with Saul andHayden KingofRyersonUniversity.

**This episode originally aired February 10, 2015.

"There's this wonderful resurgence, comeback, whatever you want to call it of indigenous people in Canada. But at the same time there is a continuation of and a strengthening - a very surprising strengthening of the 19th century Imperial ideas at their worst. Suddenly you're able to talk about the British Empire as if it was a lovely romantic place, and the French Empire."
-- John Ralston Saul

In 1876, Canada passed an act of Parliament:It was called "An Act Respecting Indians," or more simply, The Indian Act. Yet over a century later, many wonder if this "act respecting Indians" ever included any actual respect.

From land appropriations, to bans on traditional ceremonies, forced assimilation, and constant legal battles,it often seemed that Canada's First Nations were forced to the margins, to the outer edges of the nation's consciousness.

But according to John Ralston Saul,they've slowly and quietly made a comeback.

The Comeback is published by Penguin Books.

John Ralston Saulis a Canadian author, essayist, president of PEN International, and co-founder and co-chair of the non-profit Institute for Canadian Citizenship.

Hayden King teaches native governance at Ryerson University in Toronto.