With a story spanning over seventy years of the life of respected Elder Calvin White, One Man’s Journey weaves personal history with White’s account of the Mi’kmaw movement and his role in the reclamation and restoration of pride in Mi’kmaw culture in Newfoundland.

Elder White’s journey began in the forests surrounding his home of Flat Bay, where he learned to fish, hunt, and gather from a group of respected mentors who influenced and inspired him. His story recounts how the lessons learned from these valuable moments fueled his later work to spearhead the Mi’kmaw movement throughout the island of Newfoundland, amid the fight for recognition by the provincial and federal governments. His words do not shy away from the prejudice and discrimination faced by his people, and they provide a personal account of the history, responsibilities, philosophy, and worldview of his community.

One Man’s Journey is a personal and critical look at the processes that have led to the recognition of Mi’kmaw people in Newfoundland. The book shares knowledge and history with a new generation so they can continue the movement to which Elder White has been so instrumental.

Mi’kmaw, born and raised in Flat Bay, N.L., Calvin White is one of the founders of the Aboriginal revival in Newfoundland and Labrador. In the 1960s, he helped organize Aboriginal families in the province, including those in Conne River and Labrador, to form the Native Association of Newfoundland and Labrador, which later became the Federation of Newfoundland Indians (FNI).

A former chief of the Flat Bay band and president of the FNI, has also served on many national boards, including the Native Council of Canada, the National Indian Brotherhood, the Aboriginal Liberal Commission, and the National Council of Welfare. He is one of the original petitioners in the 1989 legal action brought by the FNI against the federal government, which eventually resulted in the agreement to form the Qalipu Mi’kmaq First Nation.

Elder White received the Commemorative Medal for the 125th Anniversary of the Confederation of Canada in 1993, Lifetime Achievement Award from Ulnooweg Development Group, for his long-time commitment to business and business development in 2008. The Order of Newfoundland and Labrador in 2015. Elder White was awarded a Human Rights Champion Award in July of 2016; an Honorary Doctor of Laws Degree on Thursday, May 18, from Memorial University, and in July of 2017 he also received the Canada 150 Sesquicentennial Pin. On December 17th, 2017, the Governor General of Canada invested Calvin into the honourable award The Order of Canada for his pivotal role in achieving recognition for Newfoundland Mi’kmaq and his longstanding commitment to the rights of his people.

An Elder and cultural mentor to his community and to Mi’kmaq across the province, he strives to preserve and celebrate their unique identity.

Calvin White's profile page

This is a personal story – but one which Calvin White keeps extensive and inclusive, as the process of Mi’kmaw self-determination is presented alongside White’s own biography.

Joan Sullivan, The Telegram

Reading Elder Calvin White's 'One Man's Journey: The Mi’kmaw Revival in Ktaqmkuk' is a homecoming.

Shannon Webb-Campbell, Atlantic Books Today