The Métis are one of Canada’s distinct Indigenous Peoples, with a history, culture and identity shaped across generations in the historic Métis Homeland. Music has long been woven into Métis community life, from fiddle tunes and dancing at family gatherings, homes and halls to the country, folk and roots traditions that followed. The Red River Jig, reels, breakdowns, waltzes and other dance tunes became part of a musical language passed from one generation of players to the next.

Métis musicians carried these traditions across the Prairies and beyond, while singers and songwriters continued to add new stories of family, place, history and identity. Fiddlers such as Andy Dejarlais, John Arcand, Reg Bouvette, Clint Dutiaume and Darren Lavallee sit naturally alongside artists including Andrea Menard, Laura Vinson, Buddy Gouchie, Priscilla Morin and many others whose recordings reflect the breadth of Métis music.

Métis: A Canadian Musical Story brings these generations together, from traditional fiddle and dance music to country, folk, roots and contemporary recordings. It is a celebration of the musicians who have carried Métis music forward while continuing to add their own voices to the story.

Métis artists, or artists performing Métis songs, featured here so far: Al Henry, Albert Beaulieu, Albert Sutherland, Amanda Rheaume, Andrea Menard, Andy DeJarlis, Angus McLeod, Anne Lederman, Bill Henry, Brian Sklar, Buddy Gouchie, Cat Clyde, Clint Dutiaume, Danny Flett, Danny Partenais, Darren Lavallee, Don Freed, Eldon Campbell, Eldon Jones, Emile Spence, Esau Sinclair, Frank Catchaway, Frank Desjarlais, Fred Levasseur, Fred McKay, Garry Pruden, George Demerais, Gilbert Delarond, Grandy Fagnan, Hyacinth McKay, Ivan Spence, J.B. Ledoux, Jack Ducharme, Jimmy Anderson, Jimmy Flett, John Arcand, John Cardinal, John Dietrich, Laura Vinson, Lawrence Flett, Lawrence “Teddy Boy” Houle, Len Henry, Little Joe Chartrand, Lucas Welsh, Lucinda Clemens, Marcel Meilleur, Mel Bedard, Phil Boyer, Priscilla Morin, Ray St. Germain, Reg Bouvette, René Ferland, Robbie Brass, Roderick Ross, Ryan Keplin, Saddle Lake Drifting Cowboys, Sandy Campbell, Sandy Scofield, Stanley Sabiston, Stewart Klyne, Vic Pierce, Victor Jean Dupuis, Wally Knash, Walter Flett, Why Knott Family, Willie Dunn, Willie Henry, Willie Mousseau.