A Rhetorical analysis of political discourse: the first ministers' conference on aboriginal constitutional matters

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dc.contributor.advisorFlanagan, Thomas E.
dc.contributor.authorChiste, Katherine Beaty
dc.coverage.spatial20000046en
dc.date.accessioned2005-07-27T23:37:12Z
dc.date.available2005-07-27T23:37:12Z
dc.date.issued1991
dc.descriptionBibliography: p. 236-240.en
dc.description.abstractThe four First Ministers' Conferences on Aboriginal Constitutional Matters held between 1983 and 1987 were widely judged to have failed, in that no agreement was reached on entrenching a constitutional amendment on self-government. However, the conferences did serve successfully as a forum in which aboriginal spokesmen could polish and promulgate what I term the "counter-discourse" on aboriginal peoples and the Canadian state. This dissertation offers an analysis of the new discourse's rhetorical power, as well as its stark contrasts with traditional "Western" thinking about the role of native peoples in contemporary society. The Western discourse sees native peoples as a disadvantaged element in a multi-cultural state; it is a political discourse oriented toward the future. The counterdiscourse, however, is rooted in the past and sees native peoples as the same "nations" they were centuries ago. In many ways the counter-discourse is reminiscent of poetry rather than politics, of myth rather than history; it has a visionary quality. Communication between proponents of the Western discourse and the counter one is difficult indeed, as their first principles conflict. Although a "historical" analysis of the counter-discourse renders some of itsĀ· claims problematic, this discourse nevertheless has had a significant political impact; it informs the outlook of most of the current generation of native leaders. While the linear course of history has largely eclipsed the native population of Canada, the discourse of vision provides them a means by which to fight the passage of time and recapture their political importance. The counter-discourse is a weapon constructed of language, expressing a vision whose dialectic with material reality has yet to unfold but whose influence is continuing to grow.
dc.format.extentix, 245 leaves ; 30 cm.en
dc.identifier.citationChiste, K. B. (1991). A Rhetorical analysis of political discourse: the first ministers' conference on aboriginal constitutional matters (Doctoral thesis, University of Calgary, Calgary, Canada). Retrieved from https://prism.ucalgary.ca. doi:10.11575/PRISM/15905en_US
dc.identifier.doihttp://dx.doi.org/10.11575/PRISM/15905
dc.identifier.isbn0315710853en
dc.identifier.lccE 92 C44 1991en
dc.identifier.urihttp://hdl.handle.net/1880/24653
dc.language.isoeng
dc.publisher.institutionUniversity of Calgaryen
dc.publisher.placeCalgaryen
dc.rightsUniversity of Calgary graduate students retain copyright ownership and moral rights for their thesis. You may use this material in any way that is permitted by the Copyright Act or through licensing that has been assigned to the document. For uses that are not allowable under copyright legislation or licensing, you are required to seek permission.
dc.subject.lccE 92 C44 1991en
dc.subject.lcshIndians of North America - Canada - Government relations - 1934-
dc.subject.lcshIndians of North America - Canada - Constitutional law
dc.subject.lcshCanada - Constitution - Amendments
dc.titleA Rhetorical analysis of political discourse: the first ministers' conference on aboriginal constitutional matters
dc.typedoctoral thesis
thesis.degree.disciplinePolitical Science
thesis.degree.grantorUniversity of Calgary
thesis.degree.nameDoctor of Philosophy (PhD)
ucalgary.item.requestcopytrue
ucalgary.thesis.accessionTheses Collection 58.002:Box 773 520541973
ucalgary.thesis.notesoffsiteen
ucalgary.thesis.uarcreleaseyen
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