Hang on to These Words Johnny David's Delgamuukw Evidence

In 1985 and 1986, ninety-year-old WitsuwitA'en Chief, Maxlaxlex -- or Johnny David as he is better known -- was the first WitsuwitA'en to give Commission Evidence in the Delgamuukwland claims case in which the WitsuwitA'en and Gitxsan of Northern British Columbia were battling for title to their traditional territories.A?Hang on to These WordsA'presents the actual transcripts of the questions and answers between lawyers working on both sides and this knowledgeable and outspoken Native elder who spoke in his own language and whose words were then translated by an interpreter into English. The evidence was given in a makeshift courtroom set up in DavidA's own home. Anthropologist Antonia Mills was present during these proceedings, and in this book, she introduces and contextualizes the evidence within theDelgamuukwcase.In his testimony, David provides a rich description of the WitsuwitA'en way of life as well as the injustices suffered at the hands of Indian agents and settlers. He ends his testimony saying, "If you hang on to these words, everything will be all right." The challenge of hearing his voice, and using it to negotiate the meaning and substance of Aboriginal rights remains unresolved and resonant.Mills, Antonia Curtze is the author of 'Hang on to These Words Johnny David's Delgamuukw Evidence', published 2005 under ISBN 9780802085344 and ISBN 0802085342.