Customer Reviews

Plains Chippewa/Metis Music From Turtle Mountain

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Intrigued by the many descriptions of the Metis and their music in Peter Bowen's Gabriel Du Pre mystery stories, I took advantage of the availability of this CD to satisfy my curiosity. I have come away with a great respect for the artistry of one of North America's noteworthy indigenous people.

Perhaps indigenous is an improper term. The Metis are composed of Chippewa and Cree Indians who, as active participants over generations in the fur trade, interbred heavily with their French and English partners. The result was a vibrant culture, with its own rituals, language, and music.

Because of legal definitions, the United States does not recognize the Metis as a subculture. Instead they are called Turtle Mountain Chippewa, after some reservation space given them by the Pembina Chippewa. In Canada they are considered non-status Indians, even though they founded the province of Manitoba. Tragically, this has limited other's knowledge of a rich and historically importance people.

Metis music has its origins in ancient drum songs, in countless traditional French songs, and in Scots/Irish fiddling and dancing. As this delightful collection from Smithsonian/Folkways clearly demonstrates, this is a heady mixture indeed. We are provided a panoramic view of the musicality of the Metis, from their roots to country music and rock and roll of today. This is an album intended to whet one's appetite and provide information for future investigation.

As one might expect from this type of collection, recording quality varies, and is sometimes more focused on getting the record rather than fine points of musicality. But it is all very listenable, and will be a treasure for anyone with appetite for both traditional music and the unexpected.

Authentic Turtle Mountain Chippewa music recorded in the 80s. Includes Native American Michief, French, Fiddle, and Contemporary music sung by Elders, children, and local musicians. This CD is great for anyone wanting to hear cultural music by people from the Turtle Mountain Indian Reservation in Belcourt, ND. CD cover also includes a brief narrative and history of the reservation with photos.