Halfbreed by Maria Campbell Study Guide This novel study is intended for use in English First Peoples Literature 12, a course offered in British Columbia, however, it could be used in other places for other courses. It cannot, however, be used for other books ;) I’ve prepared some background materials to go with the book. I’ve also prepared a warm up activity to get students talking to each other and to introduce some of the key themes in the novel. When I assign the novel I intend to do a jigsaw with different groups being responsible for different chapters and reporting back to the class. Because of this, I have prepared chapter handouts which outline what has happened in the previous chapter and what this chapter is about. Some of the first few chapter handouts have discussions questions, but the later ones do not. I hope that as the class progresses I will be able to have students come prepared with discussion questions as they get into the flow of the book and the discussion groups. The last chapter is very important and I think we’ll all read it and talk about it. I think I’ll also have students write an essay or Prezi or Powerpoint on one of the following questions. The questions vary from moderate to very difficult so I will allow students to choose their own question. I’ll probably handout the questions to students at the beginning of the novel and give them opportunities throughout to try to gather information on. Some of these questions could be used in various chapters during discussion groups.
Halfbreed Study Guide – © Starleigh Grass 2010. Reproduce for educational purposes only.
1
Study Questions
-At the time that this book was written Métis culture was not widely accepted in Canada. Summarize Maria’s description of Halfbreed culture. Do some of your own research on Métis culture. Compare your research with Maria’s description. -Discuss the impact of racism on Maria’s life. -Discuss the impact of racism on Maria’s family. -Discuss gender relations in Maria’s Halfbreed community. -Discuss gender relations in Maria’s experiences outside of her community. -Early in the book, Maria expresses a number of dreams for her family. What barriers does she encounter in trying to find those dreams? -The law and the government, in theory, are there to work for the good of the people in a country. In Halfbreed we see numerous examples of the government interfering in Halfbreed life to make it more difficult. Discuss one example from the book where the government and the law actually discriminate against Maria’s family. -Today many Aboriginal people are leaving their home communities in pursuit of economic and educational opportunities. Did Maria’s life improve when she moved away from her home community? Explain. -In today’s language, we would say that Maria “fell through the cracks” when she moved to the city. What supports exist today to help Aboriginal people transition from their home communities to cities when they go there to find work or pursue education? -Maria wants to be a good mother. What barriers does she confront which hamper her ability to care for her children? -Education leads to opportunities for success. Discuss barriers to Maria’s education. How did her struggle to obtain education hamper her ability to be successful during the novel? -An ongoing theme in the novel is self hate. Maria experiences shame and anger over the behavior of her people, and in some ways is ashamed of being Metis. Provide examples of sections of the book where Maria is ashamed of her Aboriginal community or Aboriginal identity or where Maria experiences anger towards her people. What advice would you give her if you were able to travel back in time and meet her when she was a young woman? Halfbreed Study Guide – © Starleigh Grass 2010. Reproduce for educational purposes only.
2
-Maria Campbell was one of the earliest Aboriginal authors in Canada. If Maria’s life was representative of Métis life in Canada, what factors can you identify as barriers to Metis literature at the time? -Compare and contrast Cheechum and Grannie. -At the time that this book came out many Canadians were shocked at the living conditions of Metis people in Canada. Provide some elements of Metis life that might shock Canadians. -An ongoing theme in the novel is Maria’s anger towards non-Aboriginal people. Why would she be angry at non-Aboriginal people? What responsibility do Canadians have for ensuring that Canada is a fair and equitable society? -Aboriginal women are disproportionately represented in the sex trade because of economic racism and sexism. Describe the factors that led to Maria being a prostitute. -During the novel many people show Maria kindness and help her. What does she have in common with these people? -The editors of the this novel took out a key scene in Maria’s story which involved police brutality out of fear of getting sued by the government. How do you think including this scene might have impacted the story? Do you think it was right to take the scene out? -Feminists say “the personal is political.” How did Maria’s identity as a Halfbreed woman impact her ability to find lasting love? -Discuss the welfare blanket metaphor. -Describe how Maria’s community changes from the time of her childhood to the time that she goes back as an adult. How do changes like these happen?
Halfbreed Study Guide – © Starleigh Grass 2010. Reproduce for educational purposes only.
3
Introduction Apples or Oranges This is a quick poll activity to get the class thinking about some of the themes in the book. First, ask the students to get into pairs. Then, ask the students – “would you rather ___(A)____ or ____(B)____?” and have them discuss for sixty seconds, then say, “If you would rather (A), raise your hand… if you would rather (B) raise your hand.” Would you rather be happy or wealthy? Would you rather be proud or wealthy? Would you rather be poor with the person you love or financially stable with someone you don’t love? Would you rather be safe or lonely? Would you rather wear ugly clothes or wear your neighbors hand-me-downs? Would you rather be respected by strangers or your family? Would you rather be safe or be homeless?
Halfbreed Study Guide – © Starleigh Grass 2010. Reproduce for educational purposes only.
4
Family Tree You might want to keep this family tree handy while reading the first few chapters.
Treaty Indian Grandmother Maria's Mother Pierre Dubuque
Matir'as GG, founded city in Iowa
Maria Grannie Campbell
Maria's Father
Cheechum Grandpa Campbell
Halfbreed Study Guide – © Starleigh Grass 2010. Reproduce for educational purposes only.
5
Great Grandpa Campbell
Groups
Settlers: People who came in after the Government of Canada acquired Rupert’s Land and created a law which took away Metis land and required people to develop a working farm in order to claim land. In this context settlers are not Halfbreeds, they are white. Settlers came with resources to develop the land within three years. Many settlers, or white people, looked down on Halfbreeds, despite the fact that the Halfbreeds were the first to create communities and opened up the Northwest for settlement. Halfbreeds: Mixed race people who are part Native and part White. Created communities during the fur trade. They had set up their own communities, had their own system of governance, had their own economy, and had their own cultures and traditions at the time of Confederation. As Canada took over, the government displaced the Halfbreeds, taking away the land rights which they had when HBC controlled the land, and leaving them landless. Gabriel Dumont and Louis Riel fought to protect the Metis way of life, but the Government of Canada chose instead to displace the Metis and bring in settlers. Treaty Indians: Indians which had limited land rights because they had signed treaties with the government. At the point in history in which the story begins, the Indians live on reserves and still, to some degree, take part in traditional activities.
Halfbreed Study Guide – © Starleigh Grass 2010. Reproduce for educational purposes only.
6
Family
Cheechum: Maria’s paternal Great Grandmother. Niece of Louis Riel. Danny: Maria’s brother. Eleven years younger than her. Delores: Maria’s sister. Six years younger than her. Geordie: Maria’s brother. Twelve years younger than her. Grandpa Campbell: kind gentle man who died young after having had nine children. Grannie Campbell: Maria’s grandmother. Tried to meet requirements to get a homestead after Grandpa Campbell died, but could not. Worked very hard for settlers. Came from Vandal family. Great Grandpa Campbell: Maria’s grandfather. Cruel. Came from Scotland and set up an HBC store. Jamie: Maria’s brother. One year younger than her. Kokum: Maria’s maternal great aunt. Treaty Indian. Taught Maria about traditional Indian lifestyle. Maria: main character. Halfbreed. Eldest child. Maria’s father: Danny Campbell. Halfbreed. Descendent of Louis Riel. Born into poverty. Maria’s maternal grandmother: Treaty Indian. Educated in convent. Married Pierre Dubuque. Maria’s mother: Halfbreed. Father’s family founded a city, mother was a treaty Indian educated at convent. Maria’s mother was also educated at a convent. Born into life of relative comfort, married into a life of absolute poverty. Mushoom: Maria’s maternal great uncle. Treaty Indian. Spoiled Maria. Peggie: Maria’s sister. Eight years younger than her. Pierre Dubuque: Maria’s maternal grandfather. French. Came from a relatively wealthy family that founded a city in Iowa. Married a treaty Indian. Qua Chich: Maria’s paternal great aunt. Wealthy in comparison to the Halfbreeds because her late husband John became a treaty Indian by way of bureaucratic error. Robby: Maria’s brother. Four years younger than her.
Halfbreed Study Guide – © Starleigh Grass 2010. Reproduce for educational purposes only.
7
Halfbreed Clans
Arcands: Half French, Half Cree. Large family, loud, noisy. St. Denys, Villeneuves, Morrisettes, and Cadieux: quiet small men who spoke more French than English or Cree. Drank a lot of homebrew. Isbisters, Cambells, Vandals: Mixture of Scottish, French, Cree, English, Irish. Hunters, trappers, farmers, claimed to produce fearless fighters and good looking women.
Halfbreed Study Guide – © Starleigh Grass 2010. Reproduce for educational purposes only.
8
Chapter # Name
Group-work mark
Reader:
Writer:
Reporter:
Illustrator:
Notes from reading:
Halfbreed Study Guide – © Starleigh Grass 2010. Reproduce for educational purposes only.
9
Class discussion mark
Notes from discussion:
Summary:
Title:
Halfbreed Study Guide – © Starleigh Grass 2010. Reproduce for educational purposes only.
10
Chapter 1 Student Handout
Context: In this chapter, Maria lays out the history of the Metis. Throughout the story Maria documents the Halfbreed’s state of utter poverty. This section explains the history which led to Halfbreed poverty. This section is important because characters introduced, such as Louis Riel, are referenced later in the story. Also, government policies, such as the land acts, play a major role in Maria’s family context. The themes introduced in this chapter, such as the corruption of Native leaders through government money, also occur throughout the novel. Discussion questions:
What were the causes of the Red River Rebellion of 1869? Why did the Metis believe that the land acts discriminated against them? Why were the Indians also suffering at the hands of the federal government? Describe the actions of the Canadian government leading up to Duck Lake. Why does Maria state “Had the committee been formed earlier, the Battle of Duck Lake and the Riel Rebellion would have never happened.” The creation of the railway is hailed as one of the great achievements of Canada. Why do you think that people don’t emphasize the Metis side of the story when talking about the railway? Riel and Dumont have different opinions about the best way to get a government response. Describe their opinions. Why do you think that Ottawa ignored Halfbreed petitions?
Halfbreed Study Guide – © Starleigh Grass 2010. Reproduce for educational purposes only.
11
Chapter 2 Student Handout
Context: The Halfbreeds who have been living on the land for a long time face new government regulations which require them to work the land for three years before being able to claim it. In the previous chapter, the Halfbreeds fought this legislation and fought for the right to stay on the land that they called home. However, the Canadian government overpowered them with thousands of soldiers and they lost the right to hold onto their land. However, many families were trying to set up a homestead in order to claim some land. How did the loss of their land impact the generation that Maria refers to early in the chapter? What positive aspect of Maria’s community does Maria’s friend point out when she says, “Maria, make it a happy book,”? What is the first impression you get from Maria’s description of the relationship between Halfbreed men and white people? Describe Cheechum’s relationship with her husband. Describe Cheechum’s loyalty to her community. Describe Cheechum’s connection to the fight for Halfbreed land rights. Describe Grannie Campbell’s attempt to set up a homestead. What barriers did they face? How did the health of the horses symbolize the health of the families that owned them? Describe Maria’s father’s family background. Describe Maria’s mother’s family background. Why was Grandpa Dubuque disappointed with Maria’s mother’s marriage?
Halfbreed Study Guide – © Starleigh Grass 2010. Reproduce for educational purposes only.
12
Chapter 3 Student Handout
Context: Some of Maria’s great grandparents fought for the Halfbreeds’ right to keep the land on which they had been living on when the government tried to take it away and give it to white settlers. The government was successful in taking away Halfbreed land, and created a land act which required that a family work the land to a certain standard to keep it (homestead). Maria’s widowed grandmother tried to get a homestead, but due to poverty and a variety of other circumstances was unable to. Maria’s father was very poor, and he married Maria’s mother who came from a relatively wealthy family.
Describe the gender roles in the family. What role does Cheechum play in Maria’s life? How did the adults interact with the children? Describe the families in the community. Describe the relationship between Halfbreeds and Indians. What does Kokum dream for Maria? How is life with Kokum and Mushoom different than life with Maria’s parents.
Halfbreed Study Guide – © Starleigh Grass 2010. Reproduce for educational purposes only.
13
Chapter 4 Student Handout At this point in the novel, the author has given background on Halfbreed history, Maria's large family, and the Halfbreed community in which she resides. The author has established through examples that the government discrimnates against Halfbreeds through policies such as the land act, and that whites in the community look down on Halfbreeds. The author has also established that while the Halfbreeds are very poor, they also demonstrate a great deal of love for each other in their families and in their community. In this chapter we learn more about Maria's family, and learn about the role of religion in her life, family, and community. -Describe the settlers. Create a chart to compare/contrast the Seventh-Day Adventist, Evangelicals, and Roman Catholic's relationship with the Halfbreed community. -Describe the summer gatherings. -Describe the Halfbreeds' experiences in town. -Why do you think the Halfbreeds demonstrated shame while in town? -Why did the children hide in fear -Why did the Halfbreed men strike out against their own women instead of the white men who started the trouble? -Describe the attitude of the settler community towards the Halfbreeds. -Describe the attitude of the townspeople towards the Halfbreeds. -What were the positive aspects of the Halfbreed community? -Like racism, shame is learned. Identify ways in which children learned shame from Halfbreeds and from people who were not Halfbreeds. later in the book Maria explains how male activists excluded her because she was a woman. Explain how comments made by Maria's father when Maria could do something the boys couldn't contributed towards the exclusion of women in leadership roles. Speculate on why Maria rejected the idea that males can and should do some things that women can't/shouldn't do.
Halfbreed Study Guide – © Starleigh Grass 2010. Reproduce for educational purposes only.
14
Chapter 5 student handout In this chapter we learn more about Maria's family. We also learn about the role of religion and superstition in Maria's upbringing. This chapter shows us the differences between Cheechum and Grannie Dubuque. -Describe the community at Montreal Lake. -Describe the role of women in the Montreal Lake community. How is the role of women at Montreal Lake different than the role of women in Maria's upbringing so far? -Describe Maria's mother's view on how women should dress and behave based on her reaction to the American women in bathing suits. How is this different from how women are expected to dress and behave now? -Describe the medicine in Montreal Lake. -Describe Grannie Dubuque. -Speculate on why Maria's father and Cheechum left whenever Grannie Dubuque arrived. -Describe Maria's experience in residential school. -Speculate on why Maria's father, mother, and Cheechum had different reactions to the news that Maria was going to residential school.
Halfbreed Study Guide – © Starleigh Grass 2010. Reproduce for educational purposes only.
15
Chapter 6 Student Handout In the previous chapter Maria went to residential school where she wasn't allowed to speak Cree. In this chapter the community gets their own school. In this chapter the author also describes celebrations in a Halfbreed community.
Halfbreed Study Guide – © Starleigh Grass 2010. Reproduce for educational purposes only.
16
Chapter 7 Student Handout In this chapter the author describes Maria's experiences hunting and funerals in a Halfbreed community. Injustice and the justice system is a theme in this chapter.
Halfbreed Study Guide – © Starleigh Grass 2010. Reproduce for educational purposes only.
17
Chapter 8 Student Handout Previous to this chapter the author has shown incidents in which the policies of the government discriminate against Halfbreeds. In this chapter Maria's father gets involved in politics hoping to make life better for Halfbreed people.
Halfbreed Study Guide – © Starleigh Grass 2010. Reproduce for educational purposes only.
18
Chapter 9 Student Handout In the previous chapter Maria's father was involved in politics, however, after the Halfbreed leaders sold out he became hopeless about the future. Shortly after Maria's mother died in childbirth. In this chapter Maria's life changes in the year after her mother's death as she takes on the role of primary caregiver to her younger brothers and sisters.
Halfbreed Study Guide – © Starleigh Grass 2010. Reproduce for educational purposes only.
19
Chapter 10 Student Handout In the previous chapters Maria's life changed as she took over the role of primary caregiver for her younger brothers and sisters after her mother's death. The family worries that the relief people will take the children away and put them in orphanages. In this chapter, the family moves to a new community in hopes of starting a better life.
Halfbreed Study Guide – © Starleigh Grass 2010. Reproduce for educational purposes only.
20
Chapter 11 Student Handout In the previous chapters Maria's mother died, leaving Maria the primary caregiver to her younger brothers and sisters. Life is hard in the year after her mother dies. The family has moved to a new community in hopes of avoiding the relief people who may take the children away and starting a better life. Grannie Dubuque stays with them for awhile to help with the chores and children. In this chapter the author introduces Maria's new friend Karen and Maria experiences her first romantic crush.
Halfbreed Study Guide – © Starleigh Grass 2010. Reproduce for educational purposes only.
21
Chapter 12 Student Handout In previous chapters Maria and her family moved to a new community after her mother's death. Grannie Dubuque moved in with the family to help with the chores and children. In this chapter Maria again becomes the primary caregiver for the children, and also attends her first school dance.
Halfbreed Study Guide – © Starleigh Grass 2010. Reproduce for educational purposes only.
22
Chapter 13 Student Handout In previous chapters Maria's mother died and Maria was left as primary caregiver for her younger brothers and sisters. The family moved to a new community in hopes of avoiding the relief people who may try to take away the children and in hopes of staring a better life. In this chapter we learn how caring for the children interferes with Maria's education. Maria's father finds a solution. The author describes the new community in which the family resides. In this chapter the author also introduces Smoky, Maria's first love.
Halfbreed Study Guide – © Starleigh Grass 2010. Reproduce for educational purposes only.
23
Chapter 14 Student Handout in previous chapters Maria's father took in a common-law wife, Sarah, to help with the children and the chores so that Maria could get an education. Maria also met a love interest, Smoky. In this chapter the family once again faces the threat that the relief people will take the children, and Maria makes a large sacrifice in hopes of keeping the family together.
Halfbreed Study Guide – © Starleigh Grass 2010. Reproduce for educational purposes only.
24
Chapter 15 Student Handout In previous chapters Maria married Darrell in hopes of saving her brothers and sisters from the relief people. Darrell, in addition to being an abusive alcoholic, betrayed Maria by calling the relief people and getting her younger brothers and sisters taken away. Maria has a child with Darrell and they decide to move to Vancouver together.
Halfbreed Study Guide – © Starleigh Grass 2010. Reproduce for educational purposes only.
25
Chapter 16 Student Handout
In the previous chapter Maria moves in with her husband’s sister. Things don’t go well, and Maria and her husband separate. Maria tries to make it on her own but struggles with racism in her employment and love life. In this chapter Maria moves to a poor and filthy part of Vancouver to try to make her marriage with Darrel work. Darrel takes Maria to a party where she meets Lil. Eventually, Lil introduces Maria to prostitution.
Halfbreed Study Guide – © Starleigh Grass 2010. Reproduce for educational purposes only.
26
Chapter 17 Student Handout
In the previous chapter Maria moved to Vancouver in hopes of making things work with her husband, Darrel, however, things do not go well. Maria turns to a life of prostitution in order to survive with Lil as her pimp. In the previous chapter Maria witnessed another prostitute die of an overdose and the complete lack of caring that others expressed over the woman’s death. In this chapter Maria struggles with drug addiction and realizes that prostitution will not solve her problems so she becomes the kept woman of a wealthy man. While she is a kept woman she meets Ray, who helps Maria change her life.
Halfbreed Study Guide – © Starleigh Grass 2010. Reproduce for educational purposes only.
27
Chapter 18 Student Handout
In the previous chapter Maria realized that she was trapped in the life of prostitution so she became the kept woman of a wealthy man, and then realized that that was pretty much the same thing as prostitution. In both scenarios Maria becomes addicted to hard drugs. Maria meets Ray who helps her kick her addictions and provides her with an income by being a drug mule. Maria saves up enough money to move to Calgary with her daughter, however, in Calgary she struggles with financial troubles and drug addiction so she moves back to Vancouver and puts her daughter back into a covenant. In this chapter Maria explains why she avoids Native people, spends some time in another Native community, hits rock bottom, and resumes her partnership with Ray.
Halfbreed Study Guide – © Starleigh Grass 2010. Reproduce for educational purposes only.
28
Chapter 19 Student Handout
In the previous chapter Maria struggled with addiction so she worked for Ray, a man who helped her kick her addictions and provided her with employment as a drug mule. At the end of the previous chapter Ray got arrested, but left Maria with enough money to last for a few months. In this chapter Maria moves to Alberta to work on a ranch and is hired on the condition that she stay out of trouble. The workers at the ranch say disparaging things about Native people until they realize that Maria is Native. Ghosts from Maria’s pasts come to the ranch and Maria worries that they’ll impact her employment.
Halfbreed Study Guide – © Starleigh Grass 2010. Reproduce for educational purposes only.
29
Chapter 20 Student Handout
In the previous chapter Maria moved to Alberta to work on a ranch. Things were going well until some men who knew Maria from her days as a prostitute came to the ranch. In this chapter Maria moves to Calgary so that she can work and go to school. Maria faces a difficult paradox: she’s going to school in hopes of increasing her income, however, she has to work while going to school and she works so much in order to survive that her school work suffers. Maria also copes with an unexpected pregnancy and struggles with the choice of wearing a “welfare blanket.”
Halfbreed Study Guide – © Starleigh Grass 2010. Reproduce for educational purposes only.
30
Chapter 21 Student Handout
In the previous chapter Maria completed a hairdressing course, however, when she finished her course she realized that she could not make enough money hairdressing in order to survive. Maria’s friend convinces her to go on welfare, and Maria finds the process of applying for welfare humiliating. In this chapter Maria struggles with addiction again. She also sees the impact of alcohol abuse on Aboriginal children. Maria is also witnesses racism in her workplace.
Halfbreed Study Guide – © Starleigh Grass 2010. Reproduce for educational purposes only.
31
Chapter 22 Student Handout
In a previous chapter Maria had a good job on a ranch until her bosses found out that she used to be a prostitute so she left the ranch and struggled with poverty in the city. In the previous chapter Maria struggled with alcohol addiction. She also went on welfare. In this chapter Maria meets David and moves to Northern Alberta with him. Maria’s former pimp, Lil, is arrested and Maria worries that David will find out about her history. Maria’s concern about David finding out creates problems in their marriage as she struggles with the stress of keeping a secret.
Halfbreed Study Guide – © Starleigh Grass 2010. Reproduce for educational purposes only.
32
Chapter 23 Student Handout
In previous chapters Maria met David and had a wonderful relationship with him until she discovered that her pimp, Lil, had been arrested. Maria turns to her addictions again under the stress of worrying that David will find out that she used to be a prostitute. Her marriage suffers because of the addictions. Maria is committed to an institution as her paranoia and addictions get out of hand. In the previous chapter Maria also found support through her friend Trixie who helps her examine her stereotypes about Aboriginal people and her own behavior. In this chapter Maria meets Aboriginal activists. Maria experiences sexism in the Indian movement. Maria meets other Aboriginal activists and while they initially inspire her they eventually disappoint her. In this chapter Maria creates a role for herself as an activist and returns to her own community for a visit.
Halfbreed Study Guide – © Starleigh Grass 2010. Reproduce for educational purposes only.
33
Chapter 24 Student Handout
In previous chapters Maria overcame her addictions and found meaning in her life by writing inmates. She visited her old community to find it much worse than it was when she left. She met Aboriginal activists and was excluded because she was a woman. This chapter is the heaviest chapter, but also one of the most important ones because in this chapter Maria assesses contemporary issues in Aboriginal politics and Canadian society. In this chapter Maria, inspired by an Aboriginal female activist, begins to educate herself on Aboriginal history in Canada. Maria is employed in a research project on Aboriginal people. The research that she thought would help people actually turns out to be part of a devious plan by the government to further marginalize Aboriginal people. Maria reflects on the welfare blanket metaphor.
Halfbreed Study Guide – © Starleigh Grass 2010. Reproduce for educational purposes only.
34
