Wahwaykinishoo d’en li kapot – Wrap Yourself in Tradition: A Guide to Making a Métis-Style Capote
Award-winning publisher, GDI Press, is the world’s only Métis-specific book publisher. “We try to look at what’s out there and fill gaps,” says David Morin, Curriculum Developer for Gabriel Dumont Institute (GDI), whose Métis Culture and Heritage Department houses GDI Press.
Morin, who has been with GDI for over 20 years, is very grateful for the support from Creative Saskatchewan. “Having the support of Creative Saskatchewan makes a big difference for the smaller publishers,” he notes.
Titles published by GDI Press in late 2023 and early 2024 filled a few holes in the marketplace, including Métis children’s books, how-to guides, and a Saskatchewan Book Awards-nominated memoir.
Lebret—Looking Back and Beyond
The success of My Little Métis Sleepy Horse has shown what an important market there is for culturally relevant board books for little ones as the initial print run of 2,000 copies sold out in the first four months. Meanwhile, GDI Press’s Métis Christmas Mittens board book had a commitment to a sale of 1,000 copies — 50% of its print run — upon release.
First-time author Joan Pelletier was nominated in the First Book category of the Saskatchewan Book Awards for her autobiography, Lebret—Looking Back and Beyond. Her coming-of-age memoir of growing up as a Michif child in Lebret, Saskatchewan is rich in stories and memories.
GDI Press sells to bookstores, distributors, and customers directly without distribution agreements. Sales have been great across all genres. “We’re thrilled with the success of the titles we published with the help of this grant,” says Morin.