Colloquium - Presenters

Métis Music: Stories of Recognition and Resurgence
Dr. Monique Giroux

ABSTRACT

What makes music Métis, and who gets to decide? Complex dynamics of recognition, non-recognition, and erasure have played out over a history of Métis music-making, from the Red River Resistance all the way to the present day. Monique Giroux argues that Métis music reflects broader social relationships, in particular the politics of recognition. Drawing on newspaper articles, archival documents, interviews with Métis and non-Métis musicians, and over a decade of research at cultural festivals, she charts a history of reframings: a changing but problematic relationship whereby settlers define the boundaries of acceptance to assert control over Métis identity and culture. Complicating this narrative, Giroux points to the many ways Métis have resisted settler recognition and erasure - both within mainstream old-time fiddling and at Métis-run events where people have continued to gather, tell stories, and draw on music to rebuild relationships in a time of resurgence. Métis Music critically examines music as a shifting site of encounter, showing its readers what to listen for, how to learn by listening, and the importance of acting intentionally with the learning gained through listening.

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BIO

Dr. Monique Giroux holds the Canada Research Chair in Métis Music and is an Associate Professor in the Music Department. She completed a Postdoctoral Fellowship at Queen’s University (2015–2017), a PhD in (ethno)musicology at York University (2013), an MA in musicology also at York University (2008), and a BMus combining performance and research at Brandon University (2005).

Her research centres the rematriation of audio/audiovisual recordings and the strengthening of relational research-creation responses to and conversations with Métis music-dance practices and practitioners. Prioritizing a visiting way methodology, Giroux furthermore addresses the historic and ongoing hoarding of knowledge by institutions while prioritizing Métis ways of relating to place and to others.

Giroux’s first monograph, Métis Music: Stories of Recognition and Resurgence considers the complex dynamics of recognition, non-recognition, and erasure over a history of Métis music-making, from the Red River Resistance to the present day. Critically, she asks: what makes music Métis, and who gets to decide? In addition to her monograph, Giroux has published numerous book chapters and journal articles including articles on "Métis-style" fiddling, Métis bard Pierre Falcon (Ethnologies), Indigenous/settler relations at old time fiddle contests (Ethnomusicology), alliance studies (Yearbook for Traditional Music), Métis music festivals (MUSICultures), and ethnodrama (Studies in Musical Theatre).