| Behind the Man: John Laurie, Ruth Gorman, and the Indian Vote in Canada Contributor(s): Gorman, Ruth (Author), Pannekoek, Frits (Editor) |
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ISBN: 1552382184 ISBN-13: 9781552382189 Publisher: University of Calgary Press OUR PRICE: $37.95 Product Type: Paperback Published: February 2007 Annotation: Behind the Man is the unique "biography" of Alberta political figure John Lee Laurie; one of Alberta's key proponents for Aboriginal franchise through the 1940s and 50s. Author Ruth Gorman worked closely with Laurie during these years and was a key figure in mobilizing and influencing public opinion in the province--this despite the social convention that women of this era remain in the shadows, dutifully taking the position of "the woman behind the man." Prior to 1961, the Aboriginal people of Canada could only vote in Federal elections if they agreed to become "Canadian," a requirement that stipulated they move away from their reserves, give up their treaty rights, and essentially leave behind their homes, farms, and families. John Laurie was instrumental in securing amendments to the 1961 Indian Act, removing once and for all any archaic impediments to enfranchisement, allowing finally the Aboriginals an unfettered vote. Out of modesty, Gorman herself did not lay claim to these efforts even though she worked as tirelessly and passionately as Laurie throughout the entire amendment process. Poring over the reams of personal documents while compiling her memoirs, Dr. Gorman saw the opportunity to tell her own story as well. Sadly, however, nearing the end of her life, and lacking the energy to finish the manuscript for publication, she turned to Dr. Pannekoek to sheperd the project to its completion. Subsequently, Behind the Man evolved to be as much biography as autobiography, providing readers with a fascinating and alternative perspective of these historical events. For example, while John Laurie officially and historically receives credit for securing the unfettered vote forAboriginals, he in fact had to be persuaded by Ruth Gorman herself that they were taking the right course of action. Behind the Man introduces Ruth Gorman as one of Alberta's most interesting female historical figures, a heroine struggling to balance home life and work obligations, overcoming frustrations at her hard work being overshadowed by a more visible figure, and reminding us that there is always more than one point of view when it comes to recording history. |
| Additional Information |
| BISAC Categories: - Biography & Autobiography | Political - Social Science | Ethnic Studies - General |
| Dewey: B |
| Series: Legacies Shared |
| Physical Information: 0.96" H x 6.16" W x 9" (1.35 lbs) 324 pages |
| Descriptions, Reviews, Etc. |
| Publisher Description: Behind the Man is a unique biography of Alberta political figure John Lee Laurie, a key proponent of Indigenous rights in the 1940s and 1950s. Before 1961, Indigenous people were allowed to vote in Federal elections only if they agreed to give up their treaty rights and leave behind their homes and families. Laurie was instrumental in securing amendments to the Indian Act which allowed Indigenous people to access the unfettered vote. Ruth Gorman worked tirelessly alongside Laurie during these years, and was herself a major force in mobilizing public opinion. Gorman did not lay claim to these efforts, but remained a passionately vocal supporter of John Laurie. She began work on a book about Laurie but as she neared the end of her life became overwhelmed by the project's scope. She reached out to Dr. Frits Pannekoek to assist her in the book's completion. As Dr. Pannekoek sorted through Gorman's extensive material, he quickly realized that her project was both a biography and an autobiography--the story was as much Gorman's as it was Laurie's. In the tradition of her time, she had taken the position of "the woman behind the man," but in telling Laurie's story she had found a way to tell her own. Behind the Man introduces Ruth Gorman as one of Alberta's fascinating historical figures--a heroine struggling to balance work and home while facing the inequitable gender and power structures that surrounded her and reminding us that there is always more than one view on history. As Dr. Pannekoek began to sort through Gorman's many boxes of material, he quickly realized that this book was both a biography and an autobiography; the story was as much Gorman's as it was Laurie's. In the tradition of her era, Gorman had taken the position of the woman behind the man, but she was nonetheless proud of her life's work, and found an acceptable way of telling her own part in the story. Behind the Man introduces Ruth Gorman as one of Alberta's most interesting female historical figures - a career woman struggling to balance home life and work obligations, overcoming frustrations at her hard work being overshadowed by a more visible figure, and reminding us that there is always more than one point of view when it comes to recording history. |
Contributor Bio(s): Pannekoek, Frits: - Frits Pannekoek is the president of Athabasca University. He has published extensively in the areas of western Canadian, Aboriginal, and Métis history, as well as information and communications studies.Gorman, Ruth: - Dr. Ruth Gorman, O.C., B.A., LL.B (1914-2002) was a proud lifelong Calgarian. She enjoyed being the editor and publisher of the magazine My Golden West. Throughout her professional life, Dr. Gorman willingly provided volunteer services for Aboriginal issues, the disabled, and others in need. She was honoured with the title of Queen Mother of the Cree and Princess of the Stoney Indian Tribe of Alberta. |