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The North-West Is Our Mother

The Story of Louis Riel's People, the Metis Nation

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The North-West Is Our Mother

Written by: Jean Teillet
Narrated by: Jean Teillet
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About this listen

There is a missing chapter in the narrative of Canada’s Indigenous peoples - the story of the Métis Nation, a new Indigenous people descended from both First Nations and Europeans

Their story begins in the last decade of the 18th century in the Canadian North-West. Within 20 years the Métis proclaimed themselves a nation and won their first battle. Within 40 years they were famous throughout North America for their military skills, their nomadic life and their buffalo hunts.

The Métis Nation didn’t just drift slowly into the Canadian consciousness in the early 1800s; it burst onto the scene fully formed. The Métis were flamboyant, defiant, loud, and definitely not noble savages. They were nomads with a very different way of being in the world - always on the move, very much in the moment, passionate and fierce. They were romantics and visionaries with big dreams. They battled continuously - for recognition, for their lands and for their rights and freedoms. In 1870 and 1885, led by the iconic Louis Riel, they fought back when Canada took their lands. These acts of resistance became defining moments in Canadian history, with implications that reverberate to this day: Western alienation, Indigenous rights and the French/English divide.

After being defeated at the Battle of Batoche in 1885, the Métis lived in hiding for 20 years. But early in the 20th century, they determined to hide no more and began a long, successful fight back into the Canadian consciousness. The Métis people are now recognized in Canada as a distinct Indigenous nation. Written by the great-grandniece of Louis Riel, this popular and engaging history of “forgotten people” tells the story up to the present era of national reconciliation with Indigenous peoples.

Title: Métis camp with Red River carts at [Milk River Lake, Alberta]

Source: Library and Archives Canada/George M. Dawson fonds/e011156514

PLEASE NOTE: When you purchase this title, the accompanying PDF will be available in your Audible Library along with the audio.

©2019 Jean Teillet (P)2021 Audible, Inc.
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What listeners say about The North-West Is Our Mother

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Excellent History of a Distinct Culture

A well researched and constructed narrative of the Metis and the relationship with Canada.

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Long book

Author not bilingual. Makes pronunciation of names hard to understand. Jumps from dates hard to follow. Good historical piece.

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Not in my history class...

Do you remember being made aware of these events? Ya me neither. I know history is written by the "winners" but as Canadians, we need to demand the full account. The author does an admirable job of that. In school, Ole John A was pretty much presented as a hero and builder of our nation. I get a much different perspective on the man and his "work" after listening to this. Why do we so often resort to violence for resolution? Why focus on hate and division? What a different country it would be if we had adopted some of the solid societal keys of the Metis, if Riel would have been able to rightfully take his place among our political leaders? His voice needed to and should have been heard.

Should be required reading not only in schools but for all Canada.

Thank you Jean for sharing

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The other side of history

It took a bit to get into this but and although it made me feel for the first time ashamed of Canada I’m very glad I read it.
Honestly I think it’s time we stop apologizing for what our ancestors have done and get on to the job of repairing the harm they caused.
Thank you Ms Teillet for the education

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History every Manitoban + Canadian should know

This book was extremely educational for me. I grew up in Manitoba. I thought I knew some history of the Metis. This was wonderfully in-depth and I now have a much better understanding of the Metis Nation and their struggles. I highly recommend this book.

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A vindication of the Metis

I had to stop reading this book several times, because the injustice heaped upon the Metis Nation seemed so unbearable.

Yet it's an important work. It opened my eyes to to the way history had been manipulated to place the Canadian government and the colonists in a much more favorable position.

It seems fitting I am reading this as a historic treaty with the Metis is enacted in Manitoba.

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Incredible Fact-Filled Story!

The facts revealed in this book were life changing. Ms. Jean Teillet is a lawyer and it shows in the factual detail, knowledge and accountability of this book. However, additional interesting personal and cultural details which are no less factual, are interwoven throughout to create a fantastic and complex tapestry that also makes this a gripping story. She made learning this history enjoyable despite the ongoing heartbreak of the it. If you are Metis, you must read this! And I earnestly hope this book becomes required reading in the Canadian high school system in the very near future.

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Very informative

I learned alot from this book. This is nor the history I was taught in school. I am disgusted and embarrassed to be Canadian. I think every Canadian should read this book. We should all, as one, stand up and fight for the rights of our fellow Candians, the Indigenous People. Help stop how they continue to be treated by the government and fellow Canadians.

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super interesting and informative

This is your book if you're looking for a history lesson told in a captivating story. highly recommend.

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So important

Everyone should read this well-written and researched book. Read it. Start now. You will be glad you did.

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