The history of Aboriginal people in Canada taught in schools and depicted in the media tends to focus on Aboriginal displacement from native lands and the consequent social and cultural disruptions they have endured. Collectively, they are portrayed as passive victims of European colonization and government policy, and, even when well intentioned, these depictions are demeaning and do little to truly represent the role Aboriginal peoples have played in Canadian life. Hidden in Plain Sight adds another dimension to the story, showing the extraordinary contributions Aboriginal peoples have made - and continue to make - to the Canadian experience. From treaties to contemporary arts and literatures, Aboriginal peoples have helped to define Canada and have worked to secure a place of their own making in Canadian culture. For this volume, editors David R. Newhouse, Cora J. Voyageur, and Daniel J.K. Beavon have brought together leading scholars and other impassioned voices, and together, they give full treatment to the Aboriginal contribution to Canada's intellectual, political, economic, social, historic, and cultural landscapes. Included are profiles of several leading figures such as actor Chief Dan George, artist Norval Morrisseau, author Tomson Highway, activist Anna Mae Pictou Aquash, and politician Phil Fontaine, among others. Canada simply would not be what it is today without these contributions. The first of two volumes, Hidden in Plain Sight is key to understanding and appreciating Canadian society and will be essential reading for generations to come.

The acclaimed and accessible Hidden in Plain Sight series showcases the extraordinary contributions made by Aboriginal peoples to Canadian identity and culture. This collection features new accounts of Aboriginal peoples working hard to improve their lives and those of other Canadians, and serves as a powerful contrast to narratives that emphasize themes of victimhood, displacement, and cultural disruption. In this second volume of the series, leading scholars and other experts pay tribute to the enduring influence of Aboriginal peoples on Canadian economic and community development, environmental initiatives, education, politics, and arts and culture. Interspersed are profiles of many significant Aboriginal figures, including singer-songwriter and educator Buffy Sainte-Marie, politician Elijah Harper, entrepreneur Dave Tuccaro, and musician Robbie Robertson. Hidden in Plain Sight continues to enrich and broaden our understandings of Aboriginal and Canadian history, while providing inspiration for a new generation of leaders and luminaries.

Aimed at three main constituencies - Aboriginal and non-Aboriginal social scientists, government and Aboriginal policymakers, and Aboriginal communities - the book has multiple purposes. First, it presents findings from recent research, with the goal of advancing research agenda, and stimulating positive social development. Second, it encourages greater links between the social scientific and external research communities and demonstrates the kind of research needed as a foundation for public policy. Finally, it acts as a guide to research methods for Aboriginal communities and organizations, and promotes cooperation between researchers and Aboriginal peoples in an effort to ensure that research decisions serve both groups equally. A vital addition to public policy and Native studies, Aboriginal Conditions will be welcomed by social scientists, policymakers, and academics working in these fields.

On June 29, 2007, the Assenbly of First Nations (AFN) organized a National Day of Action. This one-day event was part of a broader strategy of the AFN, launched in the fall of 2006 to create awareness of First Nations issues; more specifically, it was a call for action against poverty. This book deals with this same issue, not from an advocacy or political viewpoint, but from an empirical and scientific perspective. As we move further into a new century, it is more important than ever to address the poverty, lack of educational attainment, poor health, and other social problems that affect so many of Canada's Aboriginal people. Aboriginal Well-being: Canada's Continuing Challenge can give us a better idea of where we ought to be concentrating our policy energies and resources. The book is divided into three sections. The first looks at ways of measuring well-being, the second examines the Human Development Index (HDI), while the third focuses on the Community Well-being (CWB) Index.