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Métis Matriarchs: Agents of Transition
Explores the integral roles that Métis women assumed to ensure the survival of their communities during the fur trade era and onward
Métis Matriarchs examines the impact of prominent Métis women from across Western Canada from the late 19th to the mid-20th century, providing a rare glimpse into the everyday lives of these remarkable figures who were recognized as Matriarchs and respected for their knowledge, expertise, and authority within their families and communities.
This edited collection provides an opportunity to learn about the significant contributions made by Métis women during a transitional period in Western Canadian history, as the fur trade gave way to a more sedentary, industrialized, and agrarian economy. Challenging how we think about Western Canadian settlement processes that removed Indigenous peoples from the land, this collection of stories delves into the ways Métis matriarchs responded to colonial and settler colonial interventions into their lives and livelihoods to ultimately ensure their communities' cultural endurance.
Métis Matriarchs examines the impact of prominent Métis women from across Western Canada from the late 19th to the mid-20th century, providing a rare glimpse into the everyday lives of these remarkable figures who were recognized as Matriarchs and respected for their knowledge, expertise, and authority within their families and communities.
This edited collection provides an opportunity to learn about the significant contributions made by Métis women during a transitional period in Western Canadian history, as the fur trade gave way to a more sedentary, industrialized, and agrarian economy. Challenging how we think about Western Canadian settlement processes that removed Indigenous peoples from the land, this collection of stories delves into the ways Métis matriarchs responded to colonial and settler colonial interventions into their lives and livelihoods to ultimately ensure their communities' cultural endurance.
- GenresIndigenous
336 pages, Paperback
Published September 3, 2024
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Displaying 1 - 3 of 3 reviews
November 6, 2025
A very interesting compilation of stories of the lives of various Metis women who helped forge Canada into what exists today.
A lot of beautiful info, but was written in too much of an academic style which lost some of the personalization of each woman.
A lot of beautiful info, but was written in too much of an academic style which lost some of the personalization of each woman.
November 26, 2025
Great narratives about strong women thriving in a tough world. Their lives were much harder than anything I have experienced.
And the majority of the facts are backed up by references, where to get further information when one of my ancestor family names comes up. I don't think I am descended from any of the women in the book, but there are many references to familiar family names.
I am going to re-read the Victoria Callihoo chapter because it is so relevant to friends and former co-workers.
I didnt give this a 5-star rating because the flow is so slow in some places. And the politics slowed me down a bit.
I recommend this book to anyone who wants to hear about how the people of the NWT became the people of Alberta and Saskatchewan, and how they transitioned from hunters to farmers. (These are generalizations to summarize and explain)
And the majority of the facts are backed up by references, where to get further information when one of my ancestor family names comes up. I don't think I am descended from any of the women in the book, but there are many references to familiar family names.
I am going to re-read the Victoria Callihoo chapter because it is so relevant to friends and former co-workers.
I didnt give this a 5-star rating because the flow is so slow in some places. And the politics slowed me down a bit.
I recommend this book to anyone who wants to hear about how the people of the NWT became the people of Alberta and Saskatchewan, and how they transitioned from hunters to farmers. (These are generalizations to summarize and explain)
March 11, 2026
When I was first approached to write a review for Métis Matriarchs I had no hesitation in saying yes. I was raised by Métis matriarchs and spent my formative years shuttling Métis elders around Edmonton to different events and government meetings. I spent a lot of time with one elder in particular. Her name was Alvena Strasbourg, and though her story isn’t in this collection, it very well could be (she did write a memoir titled Memories of a Métis Woman). As I was reading Métis Matriarchs I thought about Alvena, and my own grandmother, and my friends’ grandmothers, the kokums and the aunties. The feeling of being raised by so many generations of powerful Métis women was all-encompassing. There could be volumes of books such as this one....
Review by Conor Kerr
Full review at: https://albertaviews.ca/metis-matriar...
Review by Conor Kerr
Full review at: https://albertaviews.ca/metis-matriar...
Displaying 1 - 3 of 3 reviews