Stories of Métis Women: Tales My Kookum Told Me
edited by Bailey Oster and Marilyn Lizee
This book, and accompanying Vimeo documentary link is a collection of stories about culture, history, and nationhood as told by Métis women. The Métis are known by many names — Otipemisiwak, "the people who own ourselves;" Bois Brules, "Burnt Wood;" Apeetogosan, "half brother" by the Cree; "half-breed," historically; and are also known as "rebels" and "traitors to Canada." They are also known as the "Forgotten People." Few really know their story.
Many people may also think that Métis simply means "mixed," but it does not. They are a people with a unique and proud history and Nation. In this era of reconciliation, Stories of Métis Women explains the story of the Métis Nation from a their own perspective. The UN has declared this "The Decade of Indigenous Languages" and Stories of Métis Women is one of the few books available in English and Michif, which is an endangered language. (From UpRoute)
Stories of Métis Women: Tales My Kookum Told Me is available in August 2021.
Bailey Oster is a Métis woman with roots in the Red River Settlement and St. Paul des Métis. She was elected as the youngest ever vice-president of New Dawn, the Métis Women's Organization within Alberta at 19 years old and still currently holds the position.
Marilyn Lizee is a consultant for the Métis Nation of Alberta, creating cultural training programs for the general public as well as for the Métis Nation.
