The document was prepared persuant to the Man in the North Conference (Inuvik, November 1970), where northern Indian participants identified a history of the native peoples of Canada as a most important priority. Since existing books on Canadian history are essentially European in nature, this classroom text endeavored to provide a history of the Indian and Inuit peoples from a native standpoint. Following these peoples from prehistoric times to the emergence of the three great hunting groups--the Algonkian, Athapaskan, and Inuit--the history describes their life styles and characteristics, which form an intrinsic part of native culture today. Particular attention is given to: fur trade, its effects, and the emergence of the Metis people; to the various Indian tribes and some of their outstanding leaders; great changes which trading and whaling brought to the Arctic and the Inuits who lived there; Yukon Indians and the Gold Rush; the coming of Christianity; and the effect of government on the peoples and their way of life. Additionally describing how these native peoples have now grasped political power, the publication provides a survey of current Indian, Inuit, and Metis leaders. The appendixes give by location, associations, that serve northern native people and supplementary readings. (KM)