Manitoba Metis Federation

Minister: Joan Ledoux

Pemmican Publications is a book publisher with a mandate to promote Metis authors, illustrators and stories. It is a not-for-profit company that operates as an arm’s-length affiliate of the Manitoba Metis Federation. Pemmican publishes on average five to six new titles per year, with titles ranging from cultural studies and autobiographies to illustrated titles for children. In all, we have published close to 150 books. For a greater appreciation of this, please visit our booth in the trade fair for your free copy of our new, full-colour catalogue.

2009 has been a productive and successful year for Pemmican Publications. To date, we have published five new titles, with one more to arrive, and have reprinted 11 titles. This year, we have extended our repertoire of stories in exciting ways. Flight of the Wild Geese is a young adult novel that not only marks the debut of Edmonton writer T.D. Thompson, but also confirms a new energy on Pemmican’s part toward fresh new fiction for teen readers. River of Tears is an adult novel, the first from Linda Ducharme, author of two popular titles for children (The Bannock Book and Pepere Played the Fiddle). Both titles are evidence of our desire to encourage new writing that reflects the Metis experience in Canada in the 21st century

We have also published French translations of two well-loved books for children by Deborah Delaronde – Little Metis, Metis Sash and A Name for a Metis. With Canada Council recently announcing new support for translations, this is something we will explore with other Pemmican titles, as need warrants.

For younger readers, there is I Want to be in The Show, a Canadian hockey story that honours one young man’s bravery and hard work, and Kawlija’s Blueberry Promise, a charming story that also describes Metis life in the Camperville region in the late ‘50s. In early 2010, we will publish Kookum’s Red Shoes, an illustrated story that brings the residential school experience to life in a touching story young readers will find easy to understand.

Our recent titles are also doing well. At this year’s Manitoba Book Awards, Goose Girl earned the McNally Robinson award for best children’s book (younger category). Goose Girl was first published in 2007 and is currently in its third printing. Pemmican has also received positive reviews for recent titles such as Washing at the Creek.

As part of our commitment to promotion, we have produced two beautiful new posters to celebrate our authors, illustrators and their work.

A little more than one year from now, in October 2010, Pemmican will celebrate its 30th anniversary. Plans are underway for a number of special events and products to honour this achievement.

www.pemmicanpublications.ca