Halfbreed

Abstract

From Campbell's agency and publisher:

"This extraordinary account, written by a young Métis woman, opens the door to a little-known world that coexists alongside Canadian society. Maria Campbell shares with the reader the joys, the sorrows, the love and the tragedies of her childhood in northern Saskatchewan

One of the 'Road Allowance People,' Maria was a strong and sensitive child who lived in a community robbed of its pride and dignity by the surrounding white world.

At 15, she tried in vain to escape by marrying a white man, only to find herself trapped in the slums of Vancouver—a drug addict, prone to suicide, close to death. But she survived, inspired by her Cree great-grandmother, Cheechum, who gave her confidence in herself and in her people.

Maria Campbell offers us an understanding of the Métis people and of the racism and hatred they face. Her story cannot be denied and it cannot be forgotten. It stands as a challenge to any Canadian who believes in human rights and human dignity.

Originally published in 1973, Halfbreed took the country by storm and it became a foundational work of indigenous literature. Here it appears with a new introduction revealing what Maria Campbell has been up to since then, and an afterword from Maria looking at what has changed, or not, in the 45 years since publication. Restored are the recently discovered missing pages from the original text of this groundbreaking book."

Publication Information

Campbell, Maria. Halfbreed. Toronto: McClelland and Stewart Limited, 1973 Canada: McClelland & Stewart, November, 2019

Author
Campbell, Maria
Publication Date
1973
Primary Resource
Primary
Resource Type
Documents
File
File Description
book review