About the Book

For over two centuries, the Métis have fought for recognition as an Indigenous people and as a Nation. This struggle has played out on the battlefield, in the courts, and at the negotiating table, often over issues of governance, land rights, and resources. It wasn’t until 1982, when the government patriated the Constitution, that Métis rights were officially recognized by Canada. The True Canadians chronicles Métis challenges and achievements over those 40 years and well before. Focused on Alberta, the book traces the growth of the Métis Nation of Alberta, which in 2022 ratified its own Constitution, the same year as the 40th anniversary of Canada’s Constitution Act. The title refers to the fact the Métis are the people born of this land.

For MNA citizens wishing to obtain a copy, please click here.

For MNA citizens wishing to obtain a copy, please click here.

Image 1: MNA President Poitras presents the Honourable Marc Miller, Federal Minister of Crown-Indigenous Relations, with a copy of the book during new self-government agreement signing.

Image 2: Signing Alberta Métis Government Recognition and Self-Government Agreement.

Purchasing

The True Canadians is available through independent bookstores across Canada and Chapters/Indigo. The e-reader and audio versions will be available soon.

Vancouver

Calgary

Edmonton

Yellowknife

Saskatoon

Winnipeg

Ottawa

Vancouver

Calgary

Edmonton

Yellowknife

Saskatoon

Winnipeg

Ottawa

For MNA citizens wishing to obtain a copy, please click here.

For MNA citizens wishing to obtain a copy, please click here.

News

New Métis book puts spotlight on reconciliation

For Immediate Release
January 31, 2023

(Edmonton, AB) The Métis Nation of Alberta today released a book chronicling the challenges and achievements of the Métis since their rights were recognized in the Constitution Act of 1982.

The True Canadians: Forgotten Nevermore reflects on the Métis lineage to the original inhabitants of this land, and the Métis struggle for acceptance as a proud, independent people.

The book provides a history of the Métis that is often at odds with traditional colonial accounts, presenting Canadians with a more accurate and clear understanding of the role the Métis played in the economic and cultural development of the nation.

The book was published by the Métis Nation of Alberta. The title was inspired by the Métis Nation’s anthem and is intended to generate passionate conversation. The book is being distributed by Sandhill Book Marketing Ltd., the most recognized supplier of non-fiction single titles and independently published Canadian books in the industry.

The True Canadians details the history of the Métis extending back hundreds of years to their ethnogenesis, and the status they enjoyed as a proud and independent people before becoming dispossessed by European colonialism.

With a particular focus on Alberta, the book describes the rise of the Métis Nation of Alberta since its founding early in the 20th century. It also details the Métis pursuit of reconciliation and the recent agreement with the federal government recognizing the right of the Métis Nation within Alberta to self-government, and especially the work leading up to the ratification, in 2022, of their own Constitution.

The passage of the MNA Constitution, with more than 96% of the Métis vote, represented the final step for the Métis of Alberta to becoming a fully recognized order of government within Canada, with increased authority to manage their own affairs and strengthening their position to negotiate rights and claims.

With The True Canadians, the record is set straight and ensures Métis rights are forgotten nevermore.

Quotes:

“Truth is the first element of reconciliation. I hope The True Canadians encourages Canadians to engage in conversation about reconciliation-in-action for the Métis Nation. The Métis experience will no longer be overlooked or ignored.” – Audrey Poitras, President, Métis Nation of Alberta

“This book is an earnest re-telling of the history of the Métis people, a version most Canadians have never seen. Readers are introduced to a sweeping narrative depicting the strength, pride, and independence of the true Canadians.” – David Wylynko, co-author

“The True Canadians is an account of our Métis Nation’s deep and longstanding connection to the west. We can proudly trace our Métis families back to the fur trade of the 1700s when our traditional homeland extended from the Great Lakes, across the prairies to Rocky Mountains, into the Northwest Territories, and even south of the American border, long before the Dominion of Canada existed.” – Patricia Russell, co-author

A gathering to launch the book will take place today at 5 pm MST at the Chateau Louis Hotel and Conference Centre in Edmonton, and will be livestreamed at facebook.com/ABMetis. The authors will do a book signing February 1, 2023 at 11:30 am – 1:30 pm at Audreys Books in Edmonton.

Media contact:
Nicole Sparrow,
Enterprise Canada
nsparrow@enterprisecanada.com

The art piece “Nation Building” by Métis artist Stephen Gladue features Métis leaders Louis Riel (left) and Gabriel Dumont (centre) and their struggle with Prime Minister John A. Macdonald (right). These three individuals, despite their differences, played a significant role in the development of Canada. The piece depicts Riel and Macdonald as “two bulls” who fought over the Métis Bill of Rights that Riel is clutching in his hand, the decimation of the buffalo, and Macdonald’s role in building the railway through the Métis Homeland at all costs.

– from page 4 of The True Canadians

David-Louis & John A cartoon revised Dec.15th20221215_0001

Read the vignette Mimicking the Métis from Chapter One.

Excerpt

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David-Louis & John A cartoon revised Dec.15th20221215_0001

Read the vignette Mimicking the Métis from Chapter One.

the Authors

Patricia Russell

Patricia Russell is a descendant of the Ladouceur and Sanderson Métis families of Lac La Biche, Fort Chipewyan, and Fort Fitzgerald in Alberta and of Fort Smith, Fort Resolution, and Hay River in the Northwest Territories. Using her background in broadcast journalism and photography, Patricia was instrumental in developing, writing, and publishing the first and subsequent editions of the magazine, Otipemisiwak, during her time as the Communications Manager with the Métis Nation of Alberta. Patricia is an enthusiastic supporter of all things Métis, especially when it comes to storytelling. Patricia lives in Yellowknife, NWT with her Standard Poodle, McKeown, and is a short drive to her daughter, son-in-law, and three brilliant grandchildren.

David Wylynko

David Wylynko is a writer and novelist, and formerly worked as a journalist for newspapers and magazines in Canada and abroad, including the Ottawa Citizen and Canadian Geographic. After his journalism career, David launched the communications consulting firm, West Hawk Associates, named for the lake on the Manitoba-Ontario border that was created by a meteorite 100 million years ago. David grew up in the Winnipeg neighbourhood of Fort Garry, across the Red River from the Louis Riel House. He possesses an undergraduate Journalism degree from Carleton University and an MA in English from Queen’s University and is a PhD student in the School of English and Theatre Studies at the University of Guelph.

Read the vignette The Victor’s History from page 6.

Events

Book launch January 31, 2023

The book launch for The True Canadians took take place January 31st, 2023 at a reception at the Chateau Louis Hotel & Conference Centre in Edmonton, Alberta (by invitation). This event featured President Audrey Poitras of the Métis Nation of Alberta, who spoke of the book’s themes and contents. Authors Patricia Russell and David Wylynko were on hand for a book signing and spoke about the book. First-run copies were distributed.

The livestream of the launch is available here.

Book signing February 1, 2023

The authors of The True Canadians were available Wednesday, February 1, 2023 for a book signing at Audreys Books in Edmonton. The book is selling now at Audreys and other independent outlets and will be available soon at Chapters.

Media

New book about the Métis Nation puts spotlight on reconciliation
Alberta Native News
February 13, 2023 │ Read the news story

New book about the Métis Nation puts spotlight on reconciliation
Alberta Native News
February 13, 2023 │ Read the news story

Accomplishments of Métis people chronicled in new book
Edmonton AM with Mark Connolly, Tara McCarthy
February 8, 2023 │ Listen to the broadcast

Accomplishments of Métis people chronicled in new book
Edmonton AM with Mark Connolly, Tara McCarthy
February 8, 2023 │ Listen to the broadcast

New Métis book puts spotlight on reconciliation
Windspeaker Radio Network
February 7, 2023 │ Read the news story

New Métis book puts spotlight on reconciliation
Windspeaker Radio Network
February 7, 2023 │ Read the news story

L’histoire des Métis de l’Alberta
Le Café Show, CBC Radio-Canada
February 7, 2023 │ Listen to the broadcast

L’histoire des Métis de l’Alberta
Le Café Show, CBC Radio-Canada
February 7, 2023 │ Listen to the broadcast

New Métis book puts spotlight on reconciliation
Nationtalk
January 31, 2023 │ Read the news story

New Métis book puts spotlight on reconciliation
Nationtalk
January 31, 2023 │ Read the news story

New Book by Métis Nation of Alberta puts spotlight on reconciliation
CFWE FM
January 31, 2023 │ Read the news story

New Book by Métis Nation of Alberta puts spotlight on reconciliation
CFWE FM
January 31, 2023 │ Read the news story

The True Canadians Book Launch
89.3 The Raven
January 31, 2023 │ Read the news story

The True Canadians Book Launch
89.3 The Raven
January 31, 2023 │ Read the news story

New Book by Métis Nation of Alberta puts spotlight on reconciliation
rdnewsNOW
January 31, 2023 │ Read the news story

New Book by Métis Nation of Alberta puts spotlight on reconciliation
rdnewsNOW
January 31, 2023 │ Read the news story

Read the vignette Ratifying the Constitution from Chapter 20.

gallery

Photos from the book

Maps from the book