This story centres around a young boy and his grandfather. The young boy is assigned a project about the fur trade and turns to his grandfather for assistance. The young boy and his grandfather journey back through time as they use the internet to complete their research. Children learn about the history of the Métis from the Red River Settlement, including their most famous leader, Louis Riel. There are detailed images that share this rich history. Topics consist of the fur trade, Métis leaders, and relationships with European settlers. This story uses poetry to teach about the Métis and their history with the fur trade. At the end of the book a vocabulary page is added to share definitions with readers. A wonderful book for young learners beginning to learn about Métis Peoples.

42 pp., 8 × 8", colour illustrations

Deborah Delaronde (Métis) • Sheldon Dawson, illus.

Source: Association of Book Publishers of BC - Canadian Indigenous Books for Schools (2021-2022)

Deborah L. Delaronde-Falk is Métis and lives in central Manitoba on a cattle ranch along the western shores of Lake Winnipegosis. She honours her Métis heritage by writing and publishing under her maiden name. Deborah’s twelve published stories (with the exception of Friendship Bay and The Rabbit’s Race) focus around Métis protagonists with story situations that she hopes will convey the way of life of the Métis people in both a historical and contemporary context. Louis Riel’s Day: The Fur Trade Project is Deborah’s twelfth book. Deborah was the first recipient of the Beatrice Mosionier Aboriginal Writer of the Year Award in 2015.

Deborah L. Delaronde's profile page

Sheldon Dawson is an illustrator who specializes in children’s books and educational material. He works in acrylic and mixed-media paintings, and his culturally sensitive illustrations help teach positive, healthy and traditional lifestyles and provide First Nations students with classroom materials that honor their own identity and culture. Sheldon has been nominated three times for the Best Illustrated Book of the Year Award in Manitoba and his paintings have been exhibited in galleries across Canada. Sheldon lives in Winnipeg.

Sheldon Dawson's profile page