The Métis experience of being ‘in between’ has molded Métis culture, Métis social attitudes, and particularly the Métis way of dealing with other societies, other peoples. More, perhaps, than any other culture on earth, the Métis way of interacting with the wider world is characterized by openness, flexibility, and a profoundly engaged curiosity about, and willingness to learn from, the ‘other’. The most profound way in which the Métis are ‘in between’ is, of course, in their language, Michif. Drawing from French, various First Nations languages, and, to a lesser extent, English, Michif is the very essence of a language formed by and for a unique people whose identity is found ‘in between’ the identities of others with a more fixed, less flexible idea of who they are.

The film will endeavor to demonstrate through the personal stories of its main subjects exactly how the Métis way of life and the governing principles of the Métis culture offer a great strength all Canadians can tap into by taking seriously the way we are all ‘in between’ in the manner of the Métis. We will aim to show how this way of being ‘in between’ can give us the key to making our way in the 21st century as a nation of minorities uniquely positioned to show the world how a deep and profound respect for the ‘other’ brings about the kind of flexibility, openness and curiosity to learn that the world increasingly demands of all nations and all cultures. In development with Télévision Français Ontario.