Books are only one way to learn about the past. I visit heritage sites to feel transported back to a place in time, and I appreciate the flexibility museums have to interpret a multitude of stories. Every year I make dozens of visits to heritage sites and museums both near my home on Vancouver Island and in different areas of British Columbia and other provinces. Not surprisingly, 2020 has been an exception.
Fortunately, many cultural organizations shifted to online programming or increased their virtual presence this year. I watched more author presentations and webinars online than I could have attended in-person—even if we weren’t in the midst of a pandemic—and had the opportunity to hear speakers from more diverse perspectives.
This year more than ever I appreciated access to digital media, virtual programming, and the mainstay, books on BC history. Many of them challenged historical narratives and pushed me to rethink my understanding of the past and which stories are given priority over others.
What was your favourite medium for learning about British Columbia’s history in 2020?
The North-West Is Our Mother is the story of the Métis Nation. Author Jean Teillet traced its history over 200 years, from the 1790s to 2018, and addresses the questions: Who are the Métis? What makes the Métis a nation? Are they still here? The Métis Nation’s homeland in Canada includes present-day Alberta, Saskatchewan, Manitoba, and regions in British Columbia, Northwest Territories, and Ontario.
The story “is a lesson in politics and history that Canada’s attempts to eliminate the Métis Nation have only succeeded in reinforcing its collective identity” (XXI). Explored in five sections based on the Métis Nation’s resistance to changing adversaries, The North-West Is Our Mother includes both well-known and forgotten stories, including those of women. Michif, the language of the Métis Nation, appears throughout the book.
Jean Teillet is uniquely positioned
