Please note: This page is still under construction. We are continually adding resources.
Métis Perspectives
Books, Fiction
In Search of April Raintree
Beatrice Culleton Mosionier, 1992.
This story follows the lives of two Métis sisters, living in Winnipeg Manitoba, and explores themes such as identity, family, native ancestry. Mature subject matter. (Grade 9 and up)
CD-ROMS
Making History: Louis Riel and the North-West Rebellion of 1885.
Vancouver: James Monro Productions and National Film Board, 1998.
From the NFB website: "Information is presented in an exciting, creative and historically sound manner."
The linked website provides a comprehensive review of this CD-ROM, from a teacher/instructor in teacher education. The author concludes that this CD-ROM on Louis Riel is highly recommended.
Available from the National Film Board. (Grade 7 and up)
Blogs
“I'm Métis: What's Your Excuse?: On the Optics and Misrecognition of Métis in Canada.”
FEDCAN Blog posted by Chris Andersen, University of Alberta, February 2011.
Organizations
Métis National Council
From the website: "Overall, the MNC’s central goal is to secure a healthy space for the Métis Nation’s on-going existence within the Canadian federation."
Métis Nation of Ontario
From the website: "The Statement of Prime Purpose, the founding document of the Métis Nation of Ontario, identifies “to encourage academic and skills development and to enable citizens of the Métis Nation to attain their educational aspirations” as a key objective. In pursuit of this goal, the Métis Nation of Ontario (MNOTI) was established in 1996 with funding from the Métis Human Resource Development Agreement (MHRDA)."
Videos
Joseph Boyden on Louis Riel and Gabriel Dumont
From the website: "This clip is from TVO's Allan Gregg. Interview is Joseph Boyden, the author of "Louis Riel and Gabriel Dumont", which tells us how the two Métis leaders shaped Canada as we know it today. It is part of the Extraordinary Canadians Series."
Louis Riel: A Canadian Hero
a short documentary entitled "Louis Riel: A Canadian Hero".
Allan Gregg: John Ralston Saul on Canada's Metis roots
From the website: "Canada's historical roots are largely European - French - English? Wrong, says John Ralston Saul. In his new book "A Fair Country: Telling Truths about Canada", he argues that we are a Métis nation, for more Aboriginal than European. He claims our history of multi- culturalism and peacekeeping reflects that heritage."
Websites
The Virtual Museum of Métis History and Culture
An online and interactive history and culture museum with content specifically about the Métis people. (Grade 5 and up)
From David Bouchard's website: "Canadian Métis author and literacy advocate David Bouchard has produced more than fifty books for readers of all ages, including two guides on reading for parents and educators. An erstwhile teacher and school principal, he is particularly concerned with Aboriginal-related issues and is a sought-after speaker for conference keynotes and school presentations and on topics of reading, literacy and aboriginal well-being. In April 2009, Bouchard was named as a Member of the Order of Canada for his contributions as an author of children’s books and an advocate who has championed the cause of reading and writing, and who has shared his pride as a member of the Métis community through his stories."
For lesson ideas based on David Bouchard's book, "The Raven", click here. (Grades 2 and 3)
The Virtual Museum of Métis Art and Culture
From their website: "This website is the most comprehensive attempt to chronicle traditional Métis history and culture on the World Wide Web and contains a wealth of primary documents – oral history interviews, photographs and various archival documents – in visual, audio and video files. In addition, many of our proven resources such as Steps in Time and Gabriel Dumont: Métis Legend have also been added to this site. Finally, new material, suitable for general information and for educators, has also been commissioned for The Virtual Museum of Métis History and Culture."