Robert Arthur Alexie facts for kids

Robert Arthur Alexie (born July 22, 1957, died June 9, 2014) was a Canadian First Nations writer. He was also a key person in helping Indigenous groups get their land rights back in the Northwest Territories.

Alexie was born in Fort McPherson, Northwest Territories, and later lived in Inuvik. He became a leader for the Tetlit Gwich'in people, serving as their Tribal chief. He also worked as the vice president of the Gwich'in Tribal Council for two terms, helping them achieve important land claims agreements. In July 2012, he was elected as the President of the Gwich'in Tribal Council.

Education and Learning

Alexie went to Chief Julius School in Fort McPherson. He finished his high school education in 1974 at Samuel Hearne Secondary School in Inuvik.

In 1984, Alexie completed a two-year program in public business and administration at Thebacha College in Fort Smith.

Leading His Community

Alexie served as the manager for the Tetlit Gwich'in Band Council. In 1989, he was elected Tribal chief of the Tetlit Gwich'in of Fort McPherson and served for two years. He also worked as the vice president of the Gwich'in Tribal Council for two terms. In July 2012, he was elected as the President of the Gwich'in Tribal Council.

Working for Land Rights

In 1990, Alexie led the Gwich'in group at a big meeting of Dene and Metís groups. They were all working to create a land claim agreement with the government of Canada. When it became clear that other groups were not ready to agree with the Gwich'in's ideas, Alexie led the Gwich'in group to leave the meeting.

After that, Alexie became the main negotiator for the Gwich'in Tribal Council. They worked to get their own land claim agreement with the Government of Canada. This led to the signing of the Gwich'in Comprehensive Land Claim Agreement in April 1992.

This agreement gave the Gwich'in people important rights:

• They gained ownership of about 22,330 square kilometers of land in the Northwest Territories. They also got 1,554 square kilometers in the Yukon.
• They received rights to minerals under 6,158 square kilometers of land in the Northwest Territories.
• The Gwich'in received a tax-free payment of $75 million over 15 years. They also got a share of money from resources developed in the Northwest Territories.
• They gained the right to help plan and manage land use, renewable resources, water, and Gwich'in heritage.
• They got special rights to hunt and fish for business on Gwich'in lands.
• The agreement also allowed them to negotiate for self-government.

Special Recognition

In 2002, Alexie received the Queen Elizabeth II's Golden Jubilee Medal. This award honored his excellent contributions to his community and to Canada.

His Novels

Porcupines and China Dolls

His first novel, Porcupines and China Dolls, was published in 2002. It tells the story of students who were forced to attend the Canadian Indian residential school system. These schools caused deep, lasting pain for the students and their families.

A reviewer named Jim Bartley wrote that the book shows how two boys, James and Jake, enter the school in 1962. For the first time, they live without their families, controlled by adults who are often cold and strict. The book shows how this experience caused them great sadness and pain.

Thomas King explained the book's title. He said that the girls were made to look like "china dolls" and the boys like "porcupines" at the schools. One powerful line from the book says, "No one heard the little china doll that night, but if she were given a voice, it would've sounded like a million porcupines screaming in the dark."

Author Richard Van Camp said that this book would help many people heal. He called it "hard but good medicine."

CBC Radio host Shelagh Rogers described the book as "Dramatic, raw, merciless." She added that it is about Canada's history and what happened to "The People" when Europeans arrived.

The Pale Indian

Alexie's second novel, The Pale Indian, was published in 2005. This story takes place in the 1980s. It is about a young man who returns to his northern community after being raised in Calgary by an adoptive white family. The novel is a mix of a love story and a sad tale. The Pale Indian also includes humor, which helps to balance some of the more serious topics it explores.