In his 2013 Symons Medal lecture, the Right Honourable Paul Martin, the twenty-first prime minister of Canada, brings to bear all the knowledge and experience of his remarkable public career to explain the challenge of achieving justice for the Aboriginal peoples of Canada. Exploring both historic roots and current priorities, Mr. Martin argues self-government is an essential condition for Canada’s Aboriginal peoples, but must be accompanied by adequate funding. Above all, he issues an urgent, eloquent and deeply informed call to action, calling on Canadians to exercise, today, the same kind of imagination, generosity and courage that the Fathers of Confederation showed, when they met at Charlottetown, in 1864.

Canada and Aboriginal Canada Today: Changing the Course of History is a vitally important contribution to the ongoing debate about the role of Canada’s aboriginal peoples in the Canada of today and tomorrow. It is essential reading for all Canadians who want to learn about the historic roots of current challenges, and to reflect upon the issues of justice and equality for Canada’s Aboriginal peoples today.

The Symons Medal, one of Canada’s most prestigious honours, is presented annually by the Confederation Centre of the Arts, Canada’s national memorial to the Fathers of Confederation, to honour persons who have made an exceptional and outstanding contribution to Canadian life.

This book is bilingual.