Métis4Métis Zine Issue #1

*Second edition published April 2023*

Hello! Tan'si!

About the zine:

Non-status Métis writers and artists Simon McKerral (he/him) and atlas gifford (fae/faer, they/them) have produced the first in a series of zines about Métis cultural reconnection. Simon grew up in Northern Ontario (Canada) and atlas in Southern Ontario and both found out they were Métis as teenagers. This zine explores the complicated relationship that many Métis people have with the journey to reconnecting.

Themes in this zine include decolonization, a short Michif language lesson, information on the Métis sash, and more.

The zine is a short, magazine-style booklet with 28 full-colour pages containing original artwork and reference material from a variety of Métis organizations, such as the Métis Museum. We tried to make the information as accessible as possible, like using OpenDyslexie as our font for dyslexic readers.

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Who can read this zine?

Although it seems we've created this zine for a Métis audience (and this is definitely a focus), we hope that anyone can read this zine and get something out of it. We recommend this zine for settlers who want to learn what it's like for Indigenous people reconnecting with our culture, heritage, and identities. We want settlers to read these zines and oppose blood quantum, and push back against discriminatory policies towards Indigenous people in their local communities. Solidarity is important.

In this zine, we do have an Indigenous perspective and this is not a Métis 101 guide. In fact, we don't define what Métis "means" on purpose. We speak from our own perspectives only, and refer to other organizations as much as possible. We are not experts in any way!
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About our PWYC model

We are asking for donations if you are able, only to cover the costs of production and the labour of the co-authors throughout this process. Currently, neither of the authors have made any money from this project, and we are using all proceeds to repay ourselves for money we have spent doing research, print costs, and so on.
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About proceeds

All proceeds made from this zine project are directly recycled into future issues. Simon and atlas are currently working on Issue #2, which is about speaking to Métis members of our local community (and across the country). If you are Métis and would like to speak with us (including anonymously), please email metis4metiszine@gmail.com.

We are also printing limited copies of this zine - if you would like to order some for your organization (Indigenous-led to the front!) please send us an email. We are shipping Canada-wide only.