2012 catalogue - Home - Gabriel Dumont Institute

Indigenous Voices:
This section honours the Métis’ heritage languages, particularly the three Michif languages: Michif-Cree, Île-à-la-Crosse Michif, and
Michif-French. Some of these resources have been designed for children (books with narration CDs) while others have been
developed for adults and youth (videos).
Pierriche Falcon: The Michif Rhymester
ISBN: 978-0-920915-75-2
Author: Paul Chartrand
Musicians and Vocalists: John Arcand, Guy Dumont, Desmond Lagace, and
Krystle Pederson
Format: Book/CD, English, French, Michif-French
Price: $25.00
Grade Level: Secondary/Post Secondary/Adult
Pierriche Falcon: The Michif Rhymester is a comprehensive cultural resource which
includes English and Michif-French renditions of Pierre Falcon’s songs by Krystle
Pederson and Guy Dumont with music by John Arcand, the “Master of the Métis
Fiddle,” and Desmond Legace. Paul Chartrand, a distinguished Métis academic
and former Chair of the Royal Commission on Aboriginal Peoples, also provides
a thoughtful essay on the importance of Falcon’s songs, Métis nationalism, and
the Michif languages. For the first time, several Pierre Falcon songs have been
included in a musical compilation. Perhaps more importantly, these songs have
been restored back to their original Michif voice.
Pierre Falcon was the first known Métis to compose songs. After personally
witnessing many of the key events of early Métis history, his tunes—particularly
“The Battle of Frog Plain” or “la gournouillère,” the first patriotic song created
in Canada—take us back to the birth of the Métis Nation. These passionate,
humourous, and ironic songs also speak to the Métis Nation’s resolute desire to
be independent and self-determining.
Indigenous Voices
8