Plains Chippewa/Metis Music From Turtle Mountain

Various Artists - International - North America - American Indigenous

Product Details

• Audio CD (November 10, 1992)
• Original Release Date: 1984
• Number of Discs: 1
• Label: Smithsonian Folkways
• ASIN: B000001DKJ
• Also Available in: Audio Cassette  |  MP3 Download
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars See all reviews (2 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #230,494 in Music (See Bestsellers in Music)

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Editorial Reviews

Product Description
From traditional drum songs to French children's songs, and from Scottish fiddle dance tunes to contemporary country and rock 'n' roll, this recording presents music heard today on the Turtle Mountain Reservation which straddles the border between the U.S. and Canada. A passionate and lively portrait of the history and daily lives of an indigenous American culture born by the contact of American Indians with Europeans. Compiled and annotated by Nicholas Curchin Peterson Vrooman. Originally issued in 1984 as Folkways 4140. "...haunting..." -- Option

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

16 of 16 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars The Music of the North Country, July 7, 2001

By	Marc Ruby™ "The Noh Hare™" (Warren, MI USA) - See all my reviews (TOP 10 REVIEWER)

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.

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Authentic Chippewa Music, November 3, 2006

By	S. Nadeau (Bismarck, ND) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

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.