Abstract This paper reviews an article by Cole Harris, in which he investigates the causes of depopulation in British Columbia. The article focuses on the time period just prior to the arrival of Captain Vancouver, Galiano and other white settlers, with particular reference to depopulation caused by smallpox from 1782 onwards. The paper discusses Harris' point that agreement on the details about depopulation of the Natives are hard to come to, due to the intensely political issues involved.
