Review of A Language of Our Own: The Genesis of Michif, the Mixed Cree-French Language of the Canadian Metis by Peter Bakker

Authors

Paul Dube, University of Alberta

Date of this Version

October 1997

Comments

Published in Great Plains Research 7:2 (Fall 1997). Copyright © 1997 The Center for Great Plains Studies, University of Nebraska–Lincoln. Used by permission. http://www.unl.edu/plains/publications/GPR/gpr.shtml

Abstract

In the current context of reconciliation between the Native peoples and the government of Canada, there may be no stronger outside voice to help the Metis people in their struggle to right the past, be recognized for their contribution to the building of Canada, and to prepare for future than Peter Bakker's brilliant and pioneering book. This study combines a complete knowledge and mastery of all relevant literature and documents, the expert linguist's own research in the field, and an obvious caring, human touch. Its main focus is the language of the Metis people-Michif- but it achieves much more.