The book is the personal reflection of Métis artist and author Donna Lee Dumont on her direct ancestors, the Hudson's Bay Company explorer and mapmaker Peter Fidler and his Cree wife, Mary Mackegonne. Interwoven with this self-reflection is the author's discussion of the formation of Métis culture during the fur trade, the racism that forced many Métis to deny their heritage, and the proud place that the Métis now have as one of Canada's founding peoples.