"Gower presents a biography of successful Métis business owner Gordon Gill, whose hardscrabble life encapsulates the rural Canadian experience. Over the course of this book, Gower proves himself to be an excellent storyteller who provides geographic, historical, and cultural context regarding the Métis community while telling the engaging story of Gill’s life. At the heart of the book are Gill’s own words, which bespeak a rugged, down-to-earth worldview."
─Kirkus Reviews
─Kirkus Reviews
"...Well I’ve read the story and finished it yesterday. I absolutely loved it, and very much enjoyed the history and the description of the flowing of rivers that you included in it. I'm sure it’s because of knowing my uncle and family but at least two times the story was so moving it brought me to tears. I personally thank you for initiating and prodding us gently to keep at it. Very good work Neil and again thank you so much!
You have gotten his story written that I was so scared was going to be lost. I do believe being Métis we were raised not to boast or talk about our accomplishments, I’m not sure why, maybe it has to do with a tribe mentality where everyone worked together and it was a combined contribution and not just one person that made the world go around back in those days. Either way, Gordon’s story is not forgotten and lost now."
─Marvelle Kobbert, daughter of Gordon Gill's sister Mildred
You have gotten his story written that I was so scared was going to be lost. I do believe being Métis we were raised not to boast or talk about our accomplishments, I’m not sure why, maybe it has to do with a tribe mentality where everyone worked together and it was a combined contribution and not just one person that made the world go around back in those days. Either way, Gordon’s story is not forgotten and lost now."
─Marvelle Kobbert, daughter of Gordon Gill's sister Mildred
"…wonderful poetic imagery of the North…I enjoyed your description of oral history and interviews with Gill and your reasons for writing his story. The book encapsulates so much of his voice directly (a great thing) with your excellent context…a lot of researchers will consult this book as it tells us so much about Métis life."
─James H. Morrison, C.M., Professor Emeritus (History), St. Mary's University
─James H. Morrison, C.M., Professor Emeritus (History), St. Mary's University
"A Métis Man’s Dream is Neil Gower’s involving biography of Gordon Gill, a Métis shipbuilder, mechanic, and businessman. Gower is meticulous when it comes to sharing historical and economic details. The book covers the realities of residential schools, revealing their impact on Indigenous children and their communities in stark terms. It depicts the growth and later deterioration of the marine industry in Canada’s north—the driving force in Hay River. It discusses oil and mineral prospecting in the region, too, tying these into the industries’ impact on Indigenous communities.
A Métis Man’s Dream is the inspiring biography of a man who navigated massive historical changes and who built a successful company by employing his culture’s values of humility and diligence."
─Foreword Clarion Reviews
A Métis Man’s Dream is the inspiring biography of a man who navigated massive historical changes and who built a successful company by employing his culture’s values of humility and diligence."
─Foreword Clarion Reviews
This is a compelling and powerful book focussed on key issues at the heart of Canadian identity. Gordon Gill's life is an inspiring example of perseverance, hard work and the importance of strong family and community ties. Gower's book is required reading for anyone interested in the complexity and rich history of Metis communities in Western Canada, residential schools, the Berger inquiry, northern development and the impact of oil and gas exploration in the Arctic.
-Hume Martin
-Hume Martin
