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Fiction Native American & Aboriginal

Stories of the Road Allowance People

The Revised Edition

by (author) Maria Campbell

illustrated by Sherry Farrell Racette

Publisher
Gabriel Dumont Institute
Initial publish date
Jan 2010
Category
Native American & Aboriginal
Recommended Age
15
Recommended Grade
10
  • Paperback / softback

    ISBN
    9780919441538
    Publish Date
    Jul 1995
    List Price
    $16.95
  • Paperback / softback

    ISBN
    9780920915998
    Publish Date
    Jan 2010
    List Price
    $30.00

Classroom Resources

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Description

Maria Campbell’s highly-acclaimed Stories of the Road Allowance People is the quintessential collection of traditional Michif stories. Since it was first published in 1995, this treasured resource has given voice to Métis Elders and has informed both Métis and non-Métis about the traditional Michif worldview. The Gabriel Dumont Institute is honoured to offer this invaluable book in a new edition. With a new story and introduction by Maria Campbell, new artwork by Sherry Farrell Racette and a narration component in English and in Michif, Stories of the Road Allowance People provides readers with poignant retellings of Michif traditional stories handed down from lii vyeu—the Old People.

About the authors

Maria Campbell is a Métis writer, playwright, filmmaker, scholar, teacher, community organizer, activist, and elder. Halfbreed is regarded as a foundational work of Indigenous literature in Canada. She has authored several other books and plays, and has directed and written scripts for a number of films. She has also worked with Indigenous youth in community theatre and advocated for the hiring and recognition of Indigenous people in the arts. She has mentored many Indigenous artists during her career, established shelters for Indigenous women and children, and run a writers’ camp at the national historical site at Batoche, where every summer she produces commemorative events on the anniversary of the battle of the 1885 North-West Resistance. Maria Campbell is an officer of the Order of Canada and holds five honorary doctorates.

Maria Campbell's profile page

Sherry Farrell Racette is an artist and educator. She has been painting, drawing and making things since she was little. Sherry received a Bachelor of Fine Arts and a Certificate in Secondary Education from the University of Maitoba and later, a Masters in Education from the University of Regina.A member of the Timiskaming Band of Algonquins in Quebec, Sherry was born in Manitoba and has been involved in Indian and Metis education for many years. She is currently an assistant professor with the Faculty of Education, University of Regina.Sherry wrote and illustrated The Flower Beadwork People for the Gabriel Dumont Institute and recently illustrated Maria Campbell’s Stories of the Road Allowance People (Theytus Press).

Sherry Farrell Racette's profile page

Awards

  • Short-listed, Saskatchewan Book Awards - Regina Book Award
  • Short-listed, Saskatchewan Book Awards - First Peoples' Publishing Award

Librarian Reviews

Stories of the Road Allowance People: The Revised Edition

This revised edition of the 1995 original includes two new stories and new illustrations. The lilting text of these Métis folk tales reflects the oral tradition from which they were collected. The provenance of the stories is presented. Maria Campbell, highly acclaimed Métis Elder, collected the tales with permission and presents them to enhance understanding of the Métis worldview. Complex and humorous, these accounts evoke more recent time and place than creation narratives, and challenge colonial preconceptions. Racette’s illustrations beautifully complement the text. A CD contains two of the stories read aloud and examples of traditional music.

Caution: Includes coarse language, adult situations and sexual references.

Source: The Association of Book Publishers of BC. Canadian Aboriginal Books for Schools. 2011-2012.

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