National Awakening

Discover the legacy of Robin Mathews, an influential rabble-rouser, provocateur, and patriot who challenged Canada's elites and inspired a distinct Canadian identity. In this collection of eight original essays, contributors such as Daniel Drache, Pat Smart, Duncan Cameron, and Susan Crean delve into Mathews' profound impact on Canadian politics and culture from the late 1960s to the early 1990s. Mathews passionately debated corporate takeovers, foreign control of trade unions, media ownership, and cultural sovereignty. His charismatic presence and relentless energy galvanized students, professors, politicians, and artists across the country. This collection captures his tireless efforts to promote cultural literacy and economic independence, contributing to the growth of Canadian studies, the Canadian trade union movement, and the Great Canadian Theatre Company. Explore Mathews' enduring influence through insightful essays that celebrate his contributions to Canada's national identity and cultural landscape.