In Eastern Metis, Michel Bouchard, Sebastien Malette, and Siomonn Pulla demonstrate the historical and social evidence for the origins and continued existence of Metis communities across Ontario, Quebec, and the Canadian Maritimes as well as the West. Contributors to this edited collection explore archival and historical records that challenge narratives which exclude the possibility of Metis communities and identities in central and eastern Canada. Taking a continental rhizomatic approach, this book provides a rich and nuanced view of what it means to be Metis.

Derided as being fake, race-shifting, cultural appropriators, Eastern Metis demonstrates the historical and social evidence for the origins and continued existence of Metis communities across Ontario and the Canadian Maritimes as well as the West. The authors in this volume explore the archival and historical record that challenges dominant nationalist tropes of all stripes, narratives which exclude the very possibility of legitimate Metis communities and identities in central and eastern Canada. Taking a continental rhizomatic approach, the book provides a rich and nuanced view of what it means to be Metis.

We think of Metis as having Prairie roots. Quebec doesn't recognize a historical Metis community, and the Metis National Council contests the existence of any Metis east of Ontario. Quebec residents who seek recognition as Metis under the Canadian Constitution therefore face an uphill legal and political battle. Who is right? Bois-Brules examines archival and ethnographic evidence to challenge two powerful nationalisms - Metis and Quebecois - that interpret Metis identity in the province as "race-shifting." This controversial work, previously available only in French, conclusively demonstrates that a Metis community emerged in early-nineteenth-century Quebec and can be traced all the way to today.

We think of Métis as having Prairie roots. Quebec doesn’t recognize a historical Métis community, and the Métis National Council contests the existence of any Métis east of Ontario. Quebec residents who seek recognition as Métis under the Canadian Constitution therefore face an uphill legal and political battle. Who is right? Bois-Brûlés examines archival and ethnographic evidence to challenge two powerful nationalisms – Métis and Québécois – that interpret Métis identity in the province as “race-shifting.� This controversial work, previously available only in French, conclusively demonstrates that a Métis community emerged in early-nineteenth-century Quebec and can be traced all the way to today.