Metha Parisien Bercier Celebrates TOMORROW

By: May. 29, 2013
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In March 3, 1819, the Civilization Fund Act was passed. It encouraged benevolent societies (Christian missions and the government) to provide education to Native Americans. This meant introducing the Indians to new skills, language and even culture. To author Metha Parisien Bercier, it meant being taken away from her family, thrust into an unfamiliar world and quite possibly turning her back on the life she knew. In her autobiography, "TOMORROW," MY SISTER SAID; TOMORROW NEVER CAME, she talks about her experiences during this remarkable era and in the process lends a rare glimpse into the journey of her people and the struggles and triumphs they found along the way.

Bercier was born in the Turtle Mountain Indian Reservation on August 6, 1922 to parents who were of Chippewa, Cree, Scotch and French heritage. It was there that she became aware of the life and customs of her close-knit family. She recalls the early years spent in her home, one filled with love, laughter, song, dance and children-she had seventeen siblings. Bercier, her parents, brothers and sisters lived a simple life and they were happy with that. She reveals in her book,

"We lived a secluded life, rarely going anywhere or visiting other people. We were content living a simple life amid the wonders of Mother Nature. This was our world, the only one we knew".

In the year 1927, however, all that changed. Bercier, who was then five years old, and her sisters, Helene, eight, and Lucy, seven, found themselves shipped off to an Indian boarding school where they were to be "civilized" and taught "the white man's ways." Three years would pass before Bercier was sent home and at that time she was unsure what home meant.

"Did the government succeed in recreating me? I wanted to stay at school. I would miss my friends... What did Mama and Papa look like? Where did we live? I tried to picture home, family... but the memories of when I left home seem to be forgotten".

"TOMORROW," MY SISTER SAID; TOMORROW NEVER CAME chronicles some of the most extraordinary episodes of Bercier's life, from her birth to the time spent in her new school to her journey home and, finally, to her discovery of herself. Honest and deeply moving, Bercier's story is a celebration of family, identity and culture and it is a triumphant testament of human resilience. For more information on this book, interested parties may log on to http://www.Xlibris.com.

About the Author
Metha Parisien Bercier has written numerous documentaries and historical publications of the Metis culture. She taught in the schools on the Turtle Mountain Indian Reservation sharing her love of their unique language, legends, songs and dance.

Bercier is 90 years young and lives on the Turtle Mountain Reservation, Belcourt, North Dakota.

"TOMORROW," MY SISTER SAID; TOMORROW NEVER CAME * by Metha Parisien Bercier
Publication Date: March 14, 2013
Trade Paperback; $15.99; 92 pages; 978-1-4797-8442-4
Trade Hardback; $24.99; 92 pages; 978-1-4797-8443-1
eBook; $3.99; 978-1-4797-8444-8

Members of the media who wish to review this book may request a complimentary paperback copy by contacting the publisher at (888) 795-4274 x. 7879. To purchase copies of the book for resale, please fax Xlibris at (812) 355-4079 or call (888) 795-4274 x. 7879.

For more information on self-publishing or marketing with Xlibris, visit http://www.Xlibris.com. To receive a free publishing guide, please call (888) 795-4274.



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