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Emma LaRocque is pictured receiving an Aboriginal Achievement Award in the education category, awarded annually by the National Aboriginal Achievement Foundation. (SUBMITTED)

As she prepares for the release of her new book, a local author says that aboriginal peoples have been portrayed as "savages" and "less-than-human" in 140 years of colonial settlers’ literature, theatre, cinema and the history books.

Emma LaRocque, a University of Manitoba professor, is set to launch her latest work — When the Other is Me: Native Resistance Discourse 1850-1990 — at McNally Robinson Booksellers in Grant Park Shopping Centre on March 25 at 7:30 p.m.

LaRocque, who lives in Linden Woods, believes these historical texts have created a negative contemporary perception of aboriginal Canadians.

"Colonial texts are offensive. In fact, many of these texts constitute hate literature," said LaRocque, who grew up in a Cree-speaking Metis culture in northeast Alberta.

"But here we are in the 21st century still having to demand respect for our humanity."

LaRocque, who has a long list of academic awards and publishing credits, said the book is aimed not just at people with aboriginal connections but anyone who "holds stereotypes about aboriginal people."

"The book is taking on the historical Canadian treatment of aboriginals, which is very Eurocentric and can be really, truly offensive," LaRocque said.

In her 213-page book, published by University of Manitoba Press, LaRocque discusses aboriginal writing as a form of "resistance literature."

"To be native and read white literature is to walk a long journey of alienation," said LaRocque, who has been a core figure in the growth and development of the university’s department of native studies since 1977.

"In response to the war of words against us, we native writers and scholars have drawn on our various languages, legends, narratives or footnotes to dismantle stereotypes, upset conventions and invent new genres," LaRocque added.

Of course, to find out exactly how LaRocque’s desired new genre is progressing, curious minds and culture vultures will have to read the book.

But contained within its green covers is an eclectic mix of source material, containing references ranging from Shakespeare’s The Merchant of Venice to 2009’s One Native Life by Richard Wagamese and plenty in between.

LaRocque said that if it wasn’t for the strict editing process, When the Other is Me: Native Resistance Discourse 1850-1990 could easily have turned out twice the size.

Little wonder, considering the project has been brewing for most of her life.

"In some ways, I started writing the book when I was five years old," LaRocque said.

"This was when I first saw cowboys and Indians on the silver screen, and the politics of representation, and not being able to do anything to change it. In some ways, this was my motivation to continue with my education."

Her educational background includes a bachelor’s of arts degree in English/Communications from Goshen College in Indiana in 1973 and a doctorate in Interdisciplinary Studies in History/English from the University of Manitoba in 1999.

LaRocque said she will be reading " a little bit" from her book at its official launch in Grant Park on March 25.

For more information, visit www. www.umanitoba.ca/uofmpress or call 474-9495.

simon.fuller@canstarnews.com