History of the Métis Nation.
The Métis Nation.
The fur trade in the historic Northwest during the 18th century was accompanied by a growing number of mixed offspring of Indigenous women and European fur traders. As this population established distinct communities separate from those of Indigenous Nations and Europeans and married among themselves, a new Indigenous people emerged. The Métis are a distinct Indigenous people and nation, not just Peoples of mixed Indigenous and European ancestry. The Métis Nation carries many names like: Bois Brules, Otipemisiwak, A peet ogo san (half-breed) and, wee sa ko day winini. Historically, Métis Peoples and communities maintained strong, life-sustaining relationships with our First Nations kin. However, federal Indian policy, the reserve system and forced relocations cut jagged lines across our vast kinship networks. The strong cultural, linguistic, and political traditions which developed during the fur trade and buffalo hunting days remain strong to this day. Although the Métis are recognized by Canada today as a distinct, rights-bearing Indigenous peoples, this was not always the case. Our people have survived and resisted through decades of violence, forced assimilation, erasure and denial.
The Homeland.
The historic Métis Nation Homelands include the Prairie Provinces of Manitoba, Saskatchewan and Alberta and extends into neighbouring parts of Ontario, British Columbia, the Northwest Territories, and the northern United States.
Rights.
After decades of advocacy, the Métis were included as Indigenous peoples in the Canadian Constitution, 1982. Our rights as Métis were further validated in 1993 by the Powley Case; affirming Metis peoples right to hunt and gather and 2016 by the Daniels decision; affirming Métis hold the same rights as all Indigenous Peoples. Métis are not simply Indigenous peoples with mixed ancestry. We have our own unique culture, traditions, language (Michif), way of life, collective consciousness, and nationhood.
The Erasure of the Métis.
Following the Red River and Northwest Resistances, Métis faced increased discrimination, violence, and forced displacement. The failed scrip system, which sought to extinguish our collectively held land rights and strong communities, fractured our families and relationships to the land. From this displacement came the Road Allowance era, with small communities blooming along roadsides, railway tracks, park land and on other pieces of crown land. Additionally, Métis Peoples were also impacted by the residential school and day school systems, like those children who attended the Île-à-la-Crosse residential school, as well as the ‘60s scoop, millennial scoop, and the child welfare system. Through generations of ongoing attempts at forced assimilation and displacement, Métis persevered.
Colonization and Health.
The past and ongoing legacy of colonization including (but not limited to) oppressive systemic policies, such as the loss of land, residential schools, sixties scoop, federal and provincial jurisdictional battles, and systemic racism has taken a significant toll on the lives of Métis people. Colonization, in summary, can be thought of as breakdown of family connection as well as belonging, social roles and connection to the Métis community at large, which continues the cycle of poorer health outcomes for Métis. Thereby, Métis people have unique health needs which must be addressed by the Métis community. “Through Métis self-determined healthcare systems, Métis people are healthy, happy, resilient, grounded in their culture and language and thriving as individuals and as members of their Métis families and communities” (Metis Vision for Health, 2022).