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Unweaving: A Novel
Threatened by encroaching colonialism, one Métis family struggles to protect their way of life.
In 1869, the arrival of surveyors from the new Dominion of Canada sends ripples of anxiety through the people of Red River. As the Métis Nation begins negotiating terms for joining Confederation, each member of the Rougeau family adapts in their own Clément looks outward, trying to maintain his livelihood as a carter, while his wife, Marienne, looks inward, determined to hold their fracturing family together. Julien, the eldest son, joins Louis Riel to confront the same intruders that so impress his sister, Charlotte. As the Red River Resistance unfolds, the consequences of each choice become heartbreakingly clear.
In 1869, the arrival of surveyors from the new Dominion of Canada sends ripples of anxiety through the people of Red River. As the Métis Nation begins negotiating terms for joining Confederation, each member of the Rougeau family adapts in their own Clément looks outward, trying to maintain his livelihood as a carter, while his wife, Marienne, looks inward, determined to hold their fracturing family together. Julien, the eldest son, joins Louis Riel to confront the same intruders that so impress his sister, Charlotte. As the Red River Resistance unfolds, the consequences of each choice become heartbreakingly clear.
262 pages, Paperback
Published September 27, 2024
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Displaying 1 - 8 of 8 reviews
January 29, 2025
Book Review The Unweaving by Cheryl Parisien
This is a historical fiction book about settlement of the Red River valley by the Métis people and their subsequent displacement from their land by the formation of the Province of Manitoba into a part of Canada. The story follows the Rougeaus. Originally a nomadic family following the buffalo, they settle on land from the Hudson Bay Company as the buffalo have diminished. They farm, have cattle, do bead work they sell on trading journeys to St Paul Minnesota. They have a community with a school and church, friends and neighbors.
They keep hearing rumors that Canada intends to bring more settlers West and take over the land. Led by Louis Riel they attempt to have their rights as a nation and as existing settlers acknowledged and to negotiate nation to nation.
The story is told through multiple POV as different characters shed light on different aspects of this historical struggle. The father, Clement, sees his opportunity to provide for his family eroding and fears for the safety of his family. He is torn between protecting his Métis traditions and culture, but recognizes that embracing their Indigenousness results in being perceived as “half human and has no future”. The mother, Marienne wants to protect her family and keep them close. Julien the eldest son is excited to join the fight and protect their rights and land. Charlotte wants to embrace change and hopes it will bring opportunities only to realize the opportunities aren’t for people like her.
I feel like this is a little known area of Canadian history and I was thrilled to find a book capturing this story of the Métis people in my province. It is close to my heart as I am married to a proud Metis man. It was wonderfully told through the different perspectives of family members. It brilliantly details the difficulties the families faced in making choices that would impact their families for generations to come.
The story captures the brutality, racism and disregard the Métis community experienced by the government and military in founding the Province. The rich that moved to the area solely to prey on and take advantage of disenfranchised Métis community was vividly depicted. The dehumanization of the Métis people was rampantly done in order to justify the violence and disenfranchisement. Yet it was the colonizers exhibiting deplorable behaviour.
Although expansion of the colonization is the central theme of the story; the heart of the book is the Rougeaus family. The glimpses of their traditional life, their resilience and hard work in responding to their changing environments, and their close family connections. The coming of age growth of Julien and Charlotte is fascinating, watching their disparate aspirations and efforts to gain freedom from their family. This was a great book. I’m hoping it is the first in a series about this historical period.
This is a historical fiction book about settlement of the Red River valley by the Métis people and their subsequent displacement from their land by the formation of the Province of Manitoba into a part of Canada. The story follows the Rougeaus. Originally a nomadic family following the buffalo, they settle on land from the Hudson Bay Company as the buffalo have diminished. They farm, have cattle, do bead work they sell on trading journeys to St Paul Minnesota. They have a community with a school and church, friends and neighbors.
They keep hearing rumors that Canada intends to bring more settlers West and take over the land. Led by Louis Riel they attempt to have their rights as a nation and as existing settlers acknowledged and to negotiate nation to nation.
The story is told through multiple POV as different characters shed light on different aspects of this historical struggle. The father, Clement, sees his opportunity to provide for his family eroding and fears for the safety of his family. He is torn between protecting his Métis traditions and culture, but recognizes that embracing their Indigenousness results in being perceived as “half human and has no future”. The mother, Marienne wants to protect her family and keep them close. Julien the eldest son is excited to join the fight and protect their rights and land. Charlotte wants to embrace change and hopes it will bring opportunities only to realize the opportunities aren’t for people like her.
I feel like this is a little known area of Canadian history and I was thrilled to find a book capturing this story of the Métis people in my province. It is close to my heart as I am married to a proud Metis man. It was wonderfully told through the different perspectives of family members. It brilliantly details the difficulties the families faced in making choices that would impact their families for generations to come.
The story captures the brutality, racism and disregard the Métis community experienced by the government and military in founding the Province. The rich that moved to the area solely to prey on and take advantage of disenfranchised Métis community was vividly depicted. The dehumanization of the Métis people was rampantly done in order to justify the violence and disenfranchisement. Yet it was the colonizers exhibiting deplorable behaviour.
Although expansion of the colonization is the central theme of the story; the heart of the book is the Rougeaus family. The glimpses of their traditional life, their resilience and hard work in responding to their changing environments, and their close family connections. The coming of age growth of Julien and Charlotte is fascinating, watching their disparate aspirations and efforts to gain freedom from their family. This was a great book. I’m hoping it is the first in a series about this historical period.
December 28, 2024
Heartbreakingly educational.
November 17, 2024
The Unweaving by Cheryl Parisien c2024 as reviewed by Gail M. Murray
Debut author, Cheryl Parisien, Communications Manager at University of Winnipeg, sets her novel in1869-70, St. Norbert Parish, Red River as the new Dominion of Canada acquires Rupert’s Land from The Hudson’s Bay Company. Soldiers and surveyors from Ontario start surveying the lots, inhabited by Metis people. Metis are descendants of French and British voyageurs who moved west with the fur trade marrying indigenous women. The a la sayncheur flayshii on the cover is a 3 meter long woven wool sash (belt/scarf) synonymous with Metis culture. The title refers to the unweaving or unravelling of Metis community and culture. Parisien, herself, is a descendant of Metis from St. Norbert. We experience their fight against expansionist colonialism through the Rougeau family: father Clement (farmer/trader), wife Marienne (trying to hold the family together), Julien (idealist, oldest son), Charlotte (bead embroiderer), Suzette and young Fredi. Politician and Metis leader, Louis Riel, regarded as the founder of Manitoba, forms a provisional government to address native and Metis rights. Often seen as controversial; here he is depicted as Montreal educated, well-spoken and charismatic. Julien joins Riel’s Red River Resistance. Parisien’s fluid writing and character development especially of Julien and Charlotte on the brink of adulthood with heroic Julien wanting to count and Charlotte’s crush on British Callum Wakefield and friendship with his sister Alyce as she teaches her French, build aspirations then show condescending attitudes. It also adds a poignant coming of age element. Parisien writes from the Metis perspective, showing us their customs, way of life, humiliation, loss of land and dignity, violence towards them and unfair treatment by both government and unscrupulous land speculators swindling them from long settled property. We are privy to the slow disintegration of the Red River community; many forced to move further west. Although Parisien’s distinctly Metis perspective deftly weaves in historical fact with her riveting story, the reader would benefit from historical notes and bibliography. Excellent, recommended.
Cheryl Parisien, Tidewater Press.2024, $24.95 (Canadian), pb, 252 pp, 1990160400
August 17, 2025
Métis author Cherly Parisien’s “The Unweaving” is based on the pivotal moment in Canadian history in 1869 when the Métis led by Louis Riel attempt to negotiate terms for joining Confederation. When surveyors arrive to measure lots, the Métis are forced to mount a resistance to what becomes a forced takeover of their land.
The novel is told from the perspective of four members of the Métis Rougeau family. Clement, the father, tries to steer clear of the controversy while struggling to maintain a living in the old ways. Marienne, the mother, attempts valiantly to hold the family together amidst the wave of change. Julienne, the eldest son, joins Riel’s men to confront the intruders. Charlotte, the eldest daughter, initially romanticizes about marriage to a wealthy white man but is chastened by reality and sets out to build a life as an independent woman.
“The Unweaving” brings to life the birth pains of a nation – the threads that need to be woven together literally and, on several levels, metaphorically – and the fate of the Métis who are victimized in the process.
The novel is told from the perspective of four members of the Métis Rougeau family. Clement, the father, tries to steer clear of the controversy while struggling to maintain a living in the old ways. Marienne, the mother, attempts valiantly to hold the family together amidst the wave of change. Julienne, the eldest son, joins Riel’s men to confront the intruders. Charlotte, the eldest daughter, initially romanticizes about marriage to a wealthy white man but is chastened by reality and sets out to build a life as an independent woman.
“The Unweaving” brings to life the birth pains of a nation – the threads that need to be woven together literally and, on several levels, metaphorically – and the fate of the Métis who are victimized in the process.
March 22, 2025
Enjoyed the family and the history. Some very graphic parts that I had to gloss over strong writing over all. I was immersed and pulled back in every time. Felt like it was missing something but I wasn't left wanting.
August 10, 2025
Very interesting book about Metis history. Also story about love and betrayal in families. Decisions needing to be made among a bunch of bad options.
December 9, 2025
It’s been a while since I’ve sobbed while reading a book. I knew the ending was going to be hard on this one.
December 30, 2025
3.5 stars
Displaying 1 - 8 of 8 reviews