James Bartleman: "The Aboriginal Canadian as Outsider" Honourable James K. Bartleman presents, "The Aboriginal Canadian as Outsider" featuring a discussion of his first two novels, As Long as the Rivers Flow (2011) and The Redemption of Oscar Wolf (2013). Bartleman also discusses his forthcoming novel, Exceptional Circumstances, which deals with international terrorism and will be released by Dundurn next spring, but is now available for pre-order on Amazon. On one level, this third novel is a fast paced story of love and espionage. On another, in the words of one review, "it brings us face to face with crucial current debates about torture, national security, citizenship and standing up for human rights in the post-9/11 world." Born in Orillia, Ontario, Mr. Bartleman grew up in Port Carling, and is a member of the Mnjikaning First Nation. He concluded his term as the 27th Lieutenant Governor of Ontario on 5 September 2007. During his time in office, he pursued three priorities: eliminating the stigma of mental illness, supporting anti-racism initiatives and encouraging Aboriginal young people. As Lieutenant Governor, Mr. Bartleman implemented four aboriginal literacy programs including The Club Amick Reading Program for 5,000 native children and 36 summer reading camps for 2,500 children in Ontario’s north. The programs are continuing for five years. Preceding his appointment as Ontario’s Vice-Regal Representative, Mr. Bartleman served 35 years in Canada’s Foreign Service as Ambassador to Cuba, Israel, NATO and the European Union. He also served as High Commissioner to South Africa and Australia, and was Foreign and Defence Policy Advisor to the Prime Minister. He holds ten honorary degrees (one from Western) and is the recipient of a number of honours and awards, including the National Aboriginal Achievement Award 1999, the Phi Delta Kappa Educator of the Year Award 2004 and the Arthur Kroeger College Award in Ethics in Public Affairs 2007. Mr. Bartleman is the author of five books and donates all book royalties to the causes he promoted as Lieutenant Governor. He has been the Chancellor of The Ontario College of Art and Design, and is a member of the Blue Ribbon Panel on the future of Medical Education in Canada, a visiting fellow to Laurentian University's Aboriginal Studies Program, and honorary patron to a number of organizations and causes. This talk is generously sponsored by Indigenous Services at Western University.

• published: 03 Dec 2014
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