Ed Brake

The most credible account by an educated Newfoundlander fresh in the time period and verifiably accurate to the detail. Mr. Howley, born and educated in Newfoundland, the son of an European elitist, bravely and diligently brought light to the genocide of Newfoundland Indians which was being white washed after the centuries long genocide was deemed complete by European settlers who were now starting to show signs of guilt and complicity in the land they now claimed as their own. Howley begins his 20 years research with a publication of ships records dating back to “First Contact,” by Europeans (1492) and spent 20 years compiling his work from the late 1800’s to publication in 1915. While most researchers / writers avoid the horrific parts of the massacres (ex. Bloody Point - present day Hant’s Harbour) and most locals deny the facts, Howley provides factual accounts based on multiple sourcing. While the English adopted the “shoot any Indian on sight” approach, the French took a different approach paying for the severed head of a Newfoundland Indians. Interestingly, indigenous anecdotal accounts match up confirming the credibility of Howley’s work. As a proud Newfoundland Indian reading factual “named” accounts of my own Newfoundland Indian ancestors and the specific racist actions toward them, going so far as to de-humanize them, it is a spine chilling read which has the potential to inspire a sleuth to walk the remaining trails and to feel the horror of our ancestors. Considering the hostilities in the time period, Mr. Howley was a very brave man bent on setting the record straight for future generations. He wasn’t being part of any cover up! Enjoy this read…. Ed Brake