Halfbreed: A Triumph for the Métis People

When one thinks of racism in Canada, they most likely think of the First Nations people. However, one group that is often forgotten is the Métis. Half aboriginal, half white, they always seem to be caught halfway in between, left without a place in the world. Maria Campbell came from a Métis family, and suffered many hardships because of it. In her novel Halfbreed, Maria Campbell uses theme, tone and style to convey her powerful story to her audience.

The theme is based on the idea of shame. Shame is what destroys the Métis people – it is the shame they learn as children that makes them lose their dreams, and shame that keeps them from bettering themselves as adults. Early in the novel, this is demonstrated through imagery: there are descriptions of the people keeping their heads down in town, and the children learning to do the same thing as they see their fathers drunk and violent. In school, the white children make fun of the Métis children. Maria says of this, “. . . we were terribly hurt and above all ashamed.” (Campbell 50). She goes home and tells her family she hates them and all the other half-breeds. Cheechum tells Maria then, alluding to the Métis people of the past, “They fought each other just as you are fighting your mother and father today. The white man saw that that was a more powerful weapon than anything else with which to beat the Halfbreeds, and he used it and still does today. Already they are using it on you. They try to make you hate your people.” (Campbell 51). Later on, when Maria is finally building a good life for herself with David, it is her shame about her past and her fear of him finding out that leaves her worse than ever. It is only in the end, when she is no longer ashamed of her people and wor...

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... and the hopeful ending meaningful. One who overcomes adversity is generally someone worth listening to.

The novel Halfbreed is a powerful account of the seemingly endless struggles that face the Métis people. The unifying theme of getting past shame lends hope for a better life to those who have faced similar struggles, and the direct tone and use of metaphors and conflict make the story meaningful even to those who have not. Maria Campbell took the horrible circumstances of her early life and created a simple yet highly impactful novel. It brings to light issues that are often ignored by any easily accessible media, and as such, it is an important example of the power of the written word. It is only through firsthand knowledge of the issues involved that one can truly become motivated to make a change, and Maria Campbell’s book gives everyone this opportunity.