Decoding Indigenous Governance in the First Centuries of Contact

Patrice Dutil talks with Heidi Bohaker, Professor History at the University of Toronto, about the symbols various Anishinaabe communities used to identify themselves in their vast territory during the 17th and 18th centuries. Bohaker makes the point that these doodems were symbolic of various constitutional arrangements as well as social and legal codes. She also discusses how they evolved with time Bohaker is the author of Doodem and Council Fire: Anishinaabe Governance through Alliance, published by University of Toronto Press. This podcast was produced by Jessica Schmidt. If you like our work, please consider supporting it: https://bit.ly/support_WTY. Your support contributes to the Champlain Society’s mission of opening new windows to directly explore and experience Canada’s past.