Prosper Collection

Born to an unwed mother, Earl James (Jim) Prosper was raised as a ward of the state, first at a children’s orphanage in Halifax, then as a permanent resident of the Indian Residential School in Shubenacadie NS since it’s opening in 1930, until the age of 18.

Jim went on to serve in WWII and following his service, went on to finish his matriculation at St. Francis Xavier University and became the first Indigenous graduate of Engineering from St. F.X. (1946–1949) and the Nova Scotia Institute of Technology (now part of Dalhousie University) (1949–1952).

His professional career began in Toronto with Canadian Arsenals, and he continued within the Canadian Federal Public Service with the Communications Security Establishment where he was a lead engineer on Cold War intelligence projects.

Jim retired in 1984, and became an ardent researcher and student of aboriginal treaties, colonialism, rights and sovereignty. He now lives in Ottawa. He has a spouse and three children.

Artwork on the book plate image provided by Chelsea Brooks, Indian Brook Reserve.