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Halfbreed cover art

Halfbreed

Written by: Maria Campbell
Narrated by: Maria Campbell
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Publisher's Summary

A new, fully restored edition of the essential Canadian classic.

An unflinchingly honest memoir of her experience as a Métis woman in Canada, Maria Campbell's Halfbreed depicts the realities that she endured and, above all, overcame. Maria was born in Northern Saskatchewan, her father the grandson of a Scottish businessman and Métis woman - a niece of Gabriel Dumont whose family fought alongside Riel and Dumont in the 1885 Rebellion; her mother the daughter of a Cree woman and French-American man. This extraordinary account, originally published in 1973, bravely explores the poverty, oppression, alcoholism, addiction, and tragedy Maria endured throughout her childhood and into her early adult life, underscored by living in the margins of a country pervaded by hatred, discrimination, and mistrust. Laced with spare moments of love and joy, this is a memoir of family ties and finding an identity in a heritage that is neither wholly Indigenous or Anglo; of strength and resilience; of indomitable spirit.

This edition of Halfbreed includes a new introduction written by Indigenous (Métis) scholar Dr. Kim Anderson detailing the extraordinary work that Maria has been doing since its original publication 46 years ago, and an afterword by the author looking at what has changed, and also what has not, for Indigenous people in Canada today. Restored are the recently discovered missing pages from the original text of this groundbreaking and significant work.

©1973, 1982, 2019 Maria Campbell (P)2019 McClelland & Stewart

What the critics say

“You can almost feel this book vibrating in your hands, it is so compelling. You read it with a kind of agonized heart-in-the-mouth sensation, halfway between laughter and tears.... Truth is stronger than fiction.” (Victoria Times-Columnist)

“Sometimes a book tells us what we have always known but in a way that makes it seem as if we have not heard it before.” (Toronto Star)

“Powerful, simple, direct, and passionate without being bitter.” (CBC Radio Vancouver)

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  • 2020-03-02

WOW!

Not just a great memoir...there is a history lesson for all Canadians. Loved the reference to Diefenbaker and what the locals thought of him as I know the CCF side of the story as the one belonging to my family. The performance is impeccable. And one can hear the touch of emotion in the sad parts and I can almost see the twinkle in her eye at the mischief. I definitely recommend.

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steadfastly pursuing callings of justice

Maria Campbell’s autobiographical work, Half Breed, first published in 1973, is a provocative and brutal account of a young Metis woman’s struggle with degradation, oppression, and sorrow, as she journeys from her childhood in Northwestern Saskatchewan towards Western Canada. The story begins situated in a historic context where her community is threatened by the arrival of white settlers. Disenfranchised and displaced, her community and family, at the hands of state forces, are swiftly destructed through the appropriation of children, apprehension of parents, the prohibition of language, and prohibition of traditional hunting. As her community and family become desperately impoverished and increasingly disempowered through state violence, Campbell demonstrates how Indigenous Peoples are constructed as inferior in the settler colonialist narrative, which is internalized by Indigenous peoples as shame and impacts Indigenous capacity and potential. Most importantly, she candidly uses her story to portray exactly how settler colonialism relies upon this construction of inferiority to maintain a hegemonic and paternalistic relationship between Indigenous Peoples and government. As the story progresses, Campbell uses her life trajectory of displacement, single motherhood, substance use, sexual abuse, poverty, and sex work to highlight historic problems of urban struggles faced by Indigenous women within Canada. In a story of fortitude and survival, Campbell transforms years of internalized shame, rage and oppression to criticize political systems which disproportionality impact Indigenous women.

Long-standing systemic racism and colonial violence are the main themes in the works of Campbell. Interestingly, the original edition of Halfbreed was edited to exclude important documentation of dark experiences of Campbell’s life. In May 2018, researchers at Simon Fraser University discovered pages revealing how Campbell was raped at the age of fourteen by members of the RCMP. The newly restored edition of Halfbreed includes these striking, searing, perspective-shifting stories of survival which document the critical history of police brutality, an issue that is so critical in today’s political arena. These omissions draw attention to the injustices faced by Indigenous Peoples at the hands of state forces. It goes without saying that the very act of omission is exemplary of the historic avoidance of accountability, and of tarnishing the exceptional narrative of freedom and democracy.

By exposing racist state actions, the author creates a comprehensive picture of entrenched, systemic inequality which has impacted and disrupted the lives of Indigenous Peoples and continues to impact BIPOC Peoples within Canada. Halfbreed is a vehicle of activism, steadfastly pursuing callings of justice, with clarity and grace, and without sacrificing emotional resonance.

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Iconic

this book is Iconic and a must read/listen. Thank you Maria for sharing your story.

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Educational, touching and well-written

This was a very well written book and highlights the difficulties. The author experienced while also shedding light on some of the beauty of her journey. I’d recommend this route to anyone wanting to learn more about indigenous peoples and history.

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Beautifully narrated by the author

I absolutely recommend this book. The courage of the author to share the hardships, her resiliency and most of all love is inspiring. I loved listening to Maria read her own story and commend her in sharing her life with us. I enjoyed hearing about the early days but would love her to write another book to let us know what happened next as her life comes to a full circle. Thank you

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I’m recommending this book to everyone

I can’t explain how much this book meant to me. It was like being with my Mom’s family when she was young. I recognized so much from the stories she told us, yet it also filled in gaps in the part of my family’s story that wasn’t talked about. Thank you for the work you did to write it down. It is beautifully done.

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Unflinchingly honest, beautiful & heart wrenching.

A deeply honest and important work which is equal parts incredible beauty, tragedy, horror, and inspiration.

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Powerful!

I feel privileged to hear a part of history from the lived experience and Marie herself. Thank you for your stories and courage

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A must for every Métis

So thankful for this book, it helps me understand my family and the inter-generational trauma we have all faced and passed on. I love all the details and facts, such an amazing book I wish I picked up sooner.

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A Must

this is second time embracing this story....wanted to hear the new content
Maria is a hero to myself and many

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