January 31, 1958 - James Gladstone - a podcast by Stephen Hammond

James Gladstone becomes Canada's first aboriginal senator. James Gladstone’s aboriginal name was Akay Namuka, which translates to “Many Guns.” Born May 21, 1887 near Mountain Hill, Northwest Territories, he was a member of the Blood Reserve in Alberta. After completing his schooling, Gladstone apprenticed as a printer, worked as an interpreter and eventually landed an RCMP position as “chief scout and interpreter.” Then he drifted for a while before taking up farming. Soon, he busied himself incorporating modern farming methods into his toil, encouraging others on his reserve to do the same, and establishing various business ventures with his sons. In 1949, he became president of the Indian Association of Alberta, where he was credited by some with bringing the federal vote to Treaty Indians in 1960. In 1957, newly elected Prime Minister John Diefenbaker made good on his pledge to appoint an Indian to Canada’s Upper Chamber by tapping Gladstone for the Senate. On January 31, 1958, Gladstone was officially sworn in. During his time in the Senate, Gladstone worked to create a better life for aboriginal people. Ironically, due to his First Nations status, he was denied the ability to vote in federal elections, until that was changed two years later. Gladstone retired from the Senate on March 3, 1971 and died six months later at the age of 84. On October, 2001 Gladstone was honoured for his years of service with the unveiling of a sculpture in the Senate on 25 October, 2001.

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