A People on the Move: The Métis of the Western Plains

by Irene Ternier Gordon

The blossoming of Métis society and culture in the 19th century marked a fascinating and colourful era in western Canadian history. Drawing from journals and contemporary sources, Irene Ternier Gordon presents a vivid account of Métis life in the area that is now Saskatchewan and Alberta. Here are the stories of the masters of the plains—Métis buffalo hunters, traders and entrepreneurs like Louis Goulet, Norbert Welsh and the legendary Gabriel Dumont. Many enjoyed lives of freedom and adventure, yet also faced heartbreak as their way of life came to an end. From the delightful details of marriage customs, feasts and fancy clothing to the sad consequences of the events of 1885, this book is a vivid chronicle of Métis life.

Genres: Indigenous

144 pages, Paperback

First published April 1, 2009

Reviews

[Donna · Rating 2 out of 5]

If you are interested in the development of the Métis people on the western plains you will find this book informative. The author presents her research in factual form, listing the differents facets of life and the various personalities of this people group. This books lacks the interesting storyline evident in this author's work on Marie-Anne Lagimodiere and for that reason, this read was disappointing.
If you prefer just the facts, you will appreciate this book.

[Elinor · Rating 4 out of 5]

When delving into history, it is often a good approach to start with very simple, easy to read books before hitting the more detailed tomes. This book, like others written by the same author, is clearly written and factual. It includes a number of individual stories about people and families. And it outlines the big events in Metis history in simple terms. I was particularly fascinated by the description of the annual, well-organized buffalo hunt.