Book review: Bernice and the Georgian Bay Gold
Reviewed by Caroline MacKenzie
Bernice and the Georgian Bay Gold by Jessica Outram is an entertaining and insightful story about eight-year-old Métis girl Bernice Lamondin and her family. In 1914, Bernice and her family live in and operate the lighthouse on Gereaux Island, Byng Inlet, Georgian Bay. Jessica Outram is a citizen of the Métis Nation of Ontario, and this story is a fictionalized account of her family’s history on Georgian Bay. This story is geared towards readers aged 9-12.
The tone of this book is cheerful and energetic, mirroring the demeanour and behaviour of children. This keeps the readers engaged and involved; however, despite the cheerful and light tone, there are times where the story becomes more serious. This occurs when the family is discussing having to hide their Métis heritage and the danger of its discovery. They also talk about being caught between two cultures and through their comments, we learn that that they are not French nor are they Ojibway. This is enhanced by the introduction of Michif French, the language spoken by the Métis. Michif French differs across the Métis Homeland and is described as a mixture or combination of European and Indigenous languages and would be passed down by parents to their children in secret. In the Author’s Note, Outram explains to the reader that her ancestor Bernice and her siblings were forbidden to speak Michif French at school and by the next generation, the family had lost their language entirely. Bernice also learns why at school her last name is different from the one used at home. To keep his job, her Peper (Grandfather) had to change his surname from the known voyageur name of Normandin to Lamondin.
This story also has educational properties. Outram’s narrative mentions the Red River Rebellion and its effect on the Métis people, introduces the Canadian painter Tom Thomsom, and the Michif French language. She also highlights the previously mentioned discrimination faced by the Métis people. This is done in such a way to pique the interest of the reader, encouraging them to learn more about Louis Riel, and the events around the Red River Rebellion.
The characters of Bernice and her siblings are more than one-dimensional, they are fully developed individuals. Their interactions with each other are recognizable to anyone with their own siblings. This also makes the characters more realistic, allowing the reader to see aspects of themselves in the children and their relationship with their own siblings. The children’s search for adventure and curiosity about the world around them is something all can relate to. This keeps the audience interested and learning about the Métis culture and their family life. The home life of the Normandin family serves to dispel many of the negative stereotypes that existed then and remain prevalent today. Bernice and her siblings are being raised by loving parents and her extended family. This is also an illustration of the importance of family in Métis culture. This family dynamic highlights the importance of Elders in the Métis culture, the respect that they are given, and the interest and enjoyment gained by listening to the Elders’ stories and teachings.
The pace of this story is also geared towards the target audience. The story flows at a rate that keeps the reader absorbed but is not so fast that they feel overwhelmed, causing them to give up on the book.
Bernice and the Georgian Bay Gold is an amusing and informative story that serves both to entertain and educate the reader. It would be a positive addition to any home or school library.
Jessica Outram, Bernice and the Georgian Bay Gold, Toronto: Second Story Press, 2023.
ISBN: 978-1772603187