A few days ago the news carried a story about a small First Nation from the Gulf Islands of British Columbia appearing out of the past to claim large chunks of coastal territory, including Stanley Park in Vancouver. Few people will have heard of the Hwlitsum people, including the government apparently since the band is not officially recognized as even existing. In fact, their story includes one of the most brutal examples of "gunboat diplomacy" to occur on the coast.

Most British...

I am always discouraged this time of year by the lack of Canadian history in the various "best books of the year" features that I read in the media.

To take just one example, the Globe and Mail included just two volumes of history in its 100 "best books" of 2014. And one of them was Conrad Black's mammoth history of Canada which the Globe's own reviewer earlier had panned for its "tight focus on elite decision makers ... to the exclusion of everything else." Obnoxious and...

The Queen is dead. The Queen of Crime that is, P.D. James.

Ms. James, who passed away earlier this week, age 94, was the author of many much-admired crime novels, most of them featuring the poet-detective Adam Dalgliesh. I've enjoyed them all though my favourite remains Original Sin, probably because it is set in the book publishing industry and most of the characters come to work by boat.

If you wish to honour her memory you could do worse than read...

The West Vancouver Historical Society has invited me to speak on one of my favourite subjects, Vancouver mayor Louis Taylor. I thought I'd consider Taylor's three near-death experiences -- political and mortal -- and the impact they had on his long career.

The event takes place on Wednesday, November 19, at the West Van Seniors Centre, 695 Twenty-First Street in West Vancouver. Start time is 7 pm. Everyone welcome.

Last week BC Premier Christy Clark turned historian when she addressed the provincial legislature to forge "a new path of mutual respect" with the Tsilhqot'in First Nation. To this end the Premier acknowledged and apologized for "the many wrongs inflicted by past governments." Specifically she was referring to the so-called "Chilcotin War" which led in 1864 to the trial and public execution of six Tsilhqot'in men. They were warriors, not criminals, said Premier Clark; they were defending...