Chief Earl Maquinna George
Chief Earl Maquinna George, hereditary chief of the Ahousaht First Nation of Clayoquot Sound on the west coast of Vancouver Island, here tells his compelling life story in his own words. Born in 1926 in the village of Maaqtusiis, on Flores Island, Chief Maquinna lost his mother when he was very young and spent his childhood years, until Grade 8, at the Ahousat Indian Residential School. He received traditional training from the elders at Maaqtusiis, as well as learning the skills of fishing and a sea-going life from his father, McPherson George. He also worked as a logger and with the Canadian Coast Guard, eventually earning his skipper’s papers.
He lost his first wife to illness, and later remarried, taking responsibility for two large families. He took on a major role in Nuu-Chah-Nulth treaty negotiations with the provincial and federal governments, and as an elder, began a university education, receiving a B.A. in history and an M.A. in geography from the University of Victoria. As well as chronicling Earl Maquinna George’s experiences, this book offers a portrait of the issues and challenges facing aboriginal people in Canada. It explains, from a First Nations perspective, their deep attachment to their lands and resources and their long-standing quest for social and environmental justice.
Titles by the Author
Nuu-Chah-Nulth History from an Ahousaht Chief’s Perspective
Chief Earl Maquinna George, hereditary chief of the Ahousaht First Nation of Clayoquot Sound on the west coast of Vancouver Island, presents his compelling life story, told in his own words. Born in the village of Maaqtusiis, on Flores Island, Chief Maquinna lost his mother when he was very young, and spent his childhood years, until Grade 8, at the Ahousaht Indian Residential School. Despite this institutional influence, he received traditional training from the elders at Maaqtusiis, as well as learning the skills of fishing and a sea-going life from his father, MacPherson George. He also worked as a logger and with the Canadian Coast Guard, eventually earning his skipper’s papers. He lost his first wife to illness, and he later re-married, taking responsibility for two large families. He took on a major role in Nuu-Chah-Nulth Treaty negotiations with the provincial and federal governments, and as an elder, began a university education, receiving a B.A. in History and an M.A. in Geography from the University of Buy from StoreVictoria.
