The public intellectual and author Thomas King discusses his new book, The Inconvenient Indian: A Curious Account of Native People in North America (Doubleday, 2012), with Joseph Planta.

The Inconvenient Indian: A Curious Account of Native People in North America by Thomas King (Doubleday, 2012). Click to buy this book from Amazon.ca: The Inconvenient Indian: A Curious Account of Native People in North America

Text of introduction by Joseph Planta:

I am Planta: On the Line, in Vancouver at TheCommentary.ca.

The book has been described as a ‘necessary read,’ and as to its subject, that’s clear. Having just started it in recent days, I can attest that it is also a highly readable, clever and engaging read. The book is called The Inconvenient Indian: A Curious Account of Native People in North America. Its author Thomas King joins me on the line today. In the book he looks at the history of Native peoples on both sides of the border. He looks at the relationship with non-Natives, articulating the complexities and challenges that have confronted people, governments, and culture in the past, that we currently face, and perhaps how those could be resolved in the future. The book is often funny, but it’s also a frank conversation about the conversations that ought to happen. Thomas King outlines the contexts within which greater understanding could happen, points out myths that should be debunked, as well poses strong challenges to ideas held, long standing and otherwise. Thomas King is one of Canada’s premier Native intellectuals. He is a professor of English at the University of Guelph. He taught Native American studies at the University of Lethbridge and the University of Minnesota. He was the first Aboriginal person to deliver a Massey lecture, and he’s previously written seven books including five novels and two short story collections. He was the creator of the CBC Radio series The Dead Dog Cafe Comedy Hour. This book is published by Doubleday. Please welcome to the Planta: On the Line program in Vancouver this day, Thomas King; Professor King, good morning.

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