Plains Publishing release first of three books

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Metis textbook gets mixed reviews

The unveiling of a recently published school textbook on Metis culture and history was greeted with enthusiasm and criticism on Feb. 17.

The book Canada's People: The Metis was a "collaboration of Dale (Ripley) and Phyllis (Cardinal) ? a non-Native and a Native person," said Leith Campbell, supervisor of Native education for Edmonton's Catholic schools.

Gathered in the library of St. Pius X School, the crowd of about 50 included deputy minister for education, Reno Bossetti; Speaker of the House, David Carter; and Ralph Sabey, past director of the Native Education Project (NEP) which funded the research, writing and publication of the text.

Bossetti was visibly enthused with the product which he thinks serves an important need. "In order for kids to do well in school they have to feel good about themselves." That, he said, is the object of the book, an objective he thinks has been met.

Superintendent of education, John Brosseau, complimented all who worked on the book and stated the significance of people being able to hold their heads high, something he feels the book will promote.

Printed by Plains Publishing of Edmonton, the 98-page book is color illustrated and bound in an attractive gloss hard cover. It will be sold at a retail value of $18.50 through the Learning Resources Development Centre (formerly the School Book Branch) but education systems are eligible for a discount.

Within the system, the book is classified as a 'basic' text and is, therefore, a required book. A few teachers at the unveiling said they think it will meet with a good deal of approval from instructors who can use it in the Grade 7 social studies curriculum to instruct Metis culture.

However, the book also drew a bit of criticism from Butch Plante, president of Edmonton's Metis Local 1885. Plante didn't think the book measured up to his expectations which, he noted, were high. He also alluded to the need for "more resources . . . (written) by Metis."

Laurent Roy, director of Native Outreach was the original principal writer for the book resigned after losing faith in the way the manuscript was being developed. The steering committees of those projects, he said "had no true authority in determining the development of study materials. In future, the director of NEP should allow more latitude for Native input as defined in their policy statement of mutual cooperation and understanding."

The Metis perspective, he charges, was absent because their voices fell on deaf ears. "The steering and advisory committees never did their jobs because the writing committee catered to the whims and wishes of the director of the NEP due to politics."

The first in a series of books about the Metis was Annette's People. It was developed through the Medicine Hat Metis local for Grade 4 and published last year.

Also nearing completion are the final drafts for two additional books about Metis. One is the history and settlement of St. Albert by the Metis; the other is a junior high school art text developed through the Lac La Biche Metis local. Completion dates for these two books are not yet known.