You Will Wear a White Shirt: From the Northern Bush to the Halls of Power
Growing up in a remote Northern community, Nick Sibbeston had little reason to believe he would one day fulfill his mother’s ambition of holding a career where he would “wear a white shirt.” Torn away from his family and placed in residential school at the age of five, Sibbeston endured loneliness, callous treatment and sexual assault by an older boy, but discovered a love of learning that would compel him to complete a law degree and pursue a career in politics.

As a young, firebrand politician, Sibbeston played an instrumental role during a critical moment in Northwest Territories politics, advocating tirelessly to support the economic and political development of First Nations people in the North, and participating in early discussions of the separation of Nunavut. Sibbeston’s career advanced in great strides, first as an MLA, then one of Canada’s first Aboriginal lawyers, then as a cabinet minister and eventually premier of the Northwest Territories. Finally, he was appointed to the Senate of Canada, where he continues to represent the people of Canada’s North, not least in advocating for the generations affected by residential school policies.

Although his years at residential school compelled Sibbeston to fight tirelessly for the rights of Aboriginal northerners, they also left a mark on his mental health, fuelling continual battles with anxiety, depression and addiction. It was only in later life that healing began to take place, as he battled his demons openly, supported not just by the medical community but also by his strong faith and the love of his wife and family.
"1122578535"
You Will Wear a White Shirt: From the Northern Bush to the Halls of Power
Growing up in a remote Northern community, Nick Sibbeston had little reason to believe he would one day fulfill his mother’s ambition of holding a career where he would “wear a white shirt.” Torn away from his family and placed in residential school at the age of five, Sibbeston endured loneliness, callous treatment and sexual assault by an older boy, but discovered a love of learning that would compel him to complete a law degree and pursue a career in politics.

As a young, firebrand politician, Sibbeston played an instrumental role during a critical moment in Northwest Territories politics, advocating tirelessly to support the economic and political development of First Nations people in the North, and participating in early discussions of the separation of Nunavut. Sibbeston’s career advanced in great strides, first as an MLA, then one of Canada’s first Aboriginal lawyers, then as a cabinet minister and eventually premier of the Northwest Territories. Finally, he was appointed to the Senate of Canada, where he continues to represent the people of Canada’s North, not least in advocating for the generations affected by residential school policies.

Although his years at residential school compelled Sibbeston to fight tirelessly for the rights of Aboriginal northerners, they also left a mark on his mental health, fuelling continual battles with anxiety, depression and addiction. It was only in later life that healing began to take place, as he battled his demons openly, supported not just by the medical community but also by his strong faith and the love of his wife and family.
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You Will Wear a White Shirt: From the Northern Bush to the Halls of Power

You Will Wear a White Shirt: From the Northern Bush to the Halls of Power

by Nick Sibbeston
You Will Wear a White Shirt: From the Northern Bush to the Halls of Power

You Will Wear a White Shirt: From the Northern Bush to the Halls of Power

by Nick Sibbeston

Hardcover

$32.95 
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Overview

Growing up in a remote Northern community, Nick Sibbeston had little reason to believe he would one day fulfill his mother’s ambition of holding a career where he would “wear a white shirt.” Torn away from his family and placed in residential school at the age of five, Sibbeston endured loneliness, callous treatment and sexual assault by an older boy, but discovered a love of learning that would compel him to complete a law degree and pursue a career in politics.

As a young, firebrand politician, Sibbeston played an instrumental role during a critical moment in Northwest Territories politics, advocating tirelessly to support the economic and political development of First Nations people in the North, and participating in early discussions of the separation of Nunavut. Sibbeston’s career advanced in great strides, first as an MLA, then one of Canada’s first Aboriginal lawyers, then as a cabinet minister and eventually premier of the Northwest Territories. Finally, he was appointed to the Senate of Canada, where he continues to represent the people of Canada’s North, not least in advocating for the generations affected by residential school policies.

Although his years at residential school compelled Sibbeston to fight tirelessly for the rights of Aboriginal northerners, they also left a mark on his mental health, fuelling continual battles with anxiety, depression and addiction. It was only in later life that healing began to take place, as he battled his demons openly, supported not just by the medical community but also by his strong faith and the love of his wife and family.

Product Details

ISBN-13: 9781771620550
Publisher: Douglas and McIntyre (2013) Ltd.
Publication date: 07/12/2016
Pages: 336
Product dimensions: 5.90(w) x 9.00(h) x 1.20(d)

About the Author

Senator Nick Sibbeston is a lawyer, distinguished member of the Northwest Territories (NWT) Legislative Assembly and a former premier. In 1970, Senator Sibbeston was elected to a four-year term on the North West Territorial Council. And from 1979–91, he was elected to the NWT Legislative Assembly. Sibbeston has worked for the Government of NWT as Justice Specialist and as a Public Administrator for Deh Cho Health & Social Services and served four years on the Canadian Human Rights Panel/Tribunal. He is a current member of the Senate committees on Aboriginal Peoples, and Energy, Environment and Natural Resources. Senator Sibbeston and his wife, Karen, live in Fort Simpson, NWT.

Table of Contents

Prologue 9

Part 1 Childhood

Chapter 1 Origins 15

Chapter 2 A Year in Providence 26

Chapter 3 Days of Darkness 46

Chapter 4 A Northern Education 64

Chapter 5 University and Marriage 74

Part 2 Territorial Politics

Chapter 6 My Political Life Begins 91

Chapter 7 Key Issues and Major Fights 115

Chapter 8 A Legal Interlude 138

Chapter 9 A More Determined Opposition 146

Chapter 10 Changing the Face of Government 172

Chapter 11 Communities and Regions 198

Chapter 12 Taking the Reins of Government 218

Chapter 13 An Evolving Territory 230

Chapter 14 Struggles and Scandals 244

Chapter 15 The 1987 Election 261

Part 3 Post Politics, and on to the Hill

Chapter 16 Post Politics 271

Chapter 17 The Senator and the Demons 281

Chapter 18 The Senate Years 290

Chapter 19 Closing the Circle 315

Epilogue: The Future of the North 328

Index 330

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