Imagining Difference by Leslie Robertson PAPERBACK 9780774810937

University of British Columbia Press

Explore the complexities of human difference in the unique setting of Fernie, BC, a Canadian mining town with a rich history. "Imagining Difference" by Leslie A. Robertson offers a compelling ethnography that delves into how residents perceive and express distinctions related to age, ethnicity, gender, class, and religion. The book uses a local legend of an indigenous curse as a starting point to uncover the layers of memory, silence, and evolving histories within the community. This study highlights the enduring power of stories in shaping social identities amidst colonialism, immigration, and globalization. Robertson skillfully analyzes how notions of "race," foreignness, regionalism, and religious identity persist in the social imagination, even as criteria evolve. Drawing from folklore, media, historical records, and in-depth interviews, the book provides a rich and detailed account of the ethnographic process. It appeals to students and scholars of anthropology, women's studies, Native studies, and history, as well as anyone interested in the social dynamics of resource towns and the narratives that define them. Summary: University of British Columbia Press Imagining Difference Paperback ethnography Leslie A. Robertson Canadian mining town human difference folklore media historical records interviews.