Clearing the Plains

Clearing the Plains book cover (University of Regina Press, 2013)

Clearing the Plains: Disease, Politics of Starvation, and the Loss of Aboriginal Life is a historical book written by James Daschuk. The book examines the impact of European colonization on the Indigenous peoples of Canada, focusing on the prairies.

Overview

Clearing the Plains provides a detailed account of how the introduction of infectious diseases, the implementation of colonial policies, and the deliberate use of starvation led to the significant decline in the population and health of Indigenous communities in the Canadian Prairies. The book covers the period from the late 18th century to the early 20th century.

Themes

The book explores several key themes:

• **Disease**: The spread of smallpox, tuberculosis, and other infectious diseases among Indigenous populations.
• **Starvation**: The use of food as a weapon by colonial authorities to control and subjugate Indigenous peoples.
• **Colonial Policies**: The implementation of policies that disrupted traditional ways of life, including the Indian Act and the establishment of residential schools.

Impact

Clearing the Plains has been influential in reshaping the understanding of Canadian history, particularly in relation to the treatment of Indigenous peoples. It has been used as a resource in academic settings and has contributed to discussions on reconciliation and Indigenous rights.

Awards

The book has received several awards, including the Governor General's Award for Non-Fiction and the Sir John A. Macdonald Prize.

See Also

• Indigenous peoples in Canada
• History of Canada
• Colonialism
• Residential schools
• Indian Act