Frequently Asked Questions
Who are the Métis people?
The Métis are one of three distinct Aboriginal peoples of Canada recognized under the 1982 Canadian Constitution. During the fur trade (1670-1870) the Métis were known
Frequently Asked Questions
Who are the Métis people?
The Métis are one of three distinct Aboriginal peoples of Canada recognized under the 1982 Canadian Constitution. During the fur trade (1670-1870) the Métis were known to be fiercely independent and were very instrumental in the development of western Canada. The historic Métis emerged as a distinct people on the plains of western North America during the late 1700s. As the fur trade moved westward many of the employees who were of European descent found it both necessary and convenient to establish familial relationships with First Nations women. These relationships resulted in children of mixed aboriginal ancestry. Due to the circumstances of the time these children who were neither First Nations nor European began to marry and settle among themselves which resulted in a distinct Métis culture. The Métis culture is a fusion of French, English, Scottish and Indian influences, and took root and flourished in the late 1800s. The Métis developed a unique language called Michif, using both Indian nouns and English or French verbs. Métis fiddlers combined jigs and reels into their unique forms of dance and music. Métis attire included woven sashes, embroidered gun sheaths; deer hide caps, quilled and beaded pipe bags and the capote, a European style coat made from Hudson Bay point blankets.
Who was Louis Riel?
Louis David Riel (22 October 1844 – 16 November 1885) was a Canadian Politician, a founder of the province of Manitoba and a political and spiritual leader of the Métis people of the Canadian Prairies. He led two resistance movements against the Canadian Government. Riel fought to preserve rights and culture as their homelands in the Northwest came progressively under the Canadian sphere of influence. He is regarded by many today as a Canadian folk hero.
Refer to this link https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=t5YrtvO7FDs
What is the significance of the Sash?
The Sash is a finger woven belt made of wool approximately three meters long. Traditionally it was tied at the waist to hold a coat closed, including being used as a scarf or rope. Here are some excerpts from a Métis priest’s prayer. “Métis people, God, have been wearing the sash proudly for many years. When I look at it, I notice that it is composed of many interconnected threads, many strands, many patterns, many colors contribute to the overall design of the sash. Our Métis culture, God, is like the sash. The lives of the Métis have been woven together from a variety of cultures, traditions and beliefs … For example, God, we are the descendants of the English, of the French, of the Indian-Cree and Ojibway and Scots to name a few. We speak a variety of languages: English, Canadian French, Michif French, Michif Cree and Mashkegon. Look at the sash: it is a composite. It is a mixture. It is Métis. It is made of a variety of elements, like the lives of the Métis. Look at its pattern, its fabric, its colors. Nonetheless, these disparate elements form an integrated whole. Similarly, the different ethnic backgrounds and different languages to the Métis blend into one another to form a rich tapestry like the lives and culture of the Métis.” Today, the sash is still worn by the Métis people. Métis women occasionally wear it over the shoulder, while others wear it the traditional way, around the waist & tied in the middle, with the fringes hanging down. The Manitoba Métis Senate started a tradition of draping the sash over the table wherever Métis people are gathered for discussion. The Manitoba Métis Federation at their last Assembly, adopted a new sash with the colour variations of ; Red, which is the historical depicted colour for the Métis Sash; Blue & White symbolizing the colours of the Métis Nation flag; Green signifying fertility, growth and prosperity and; Black, symbolizing the dark period in which the Métis people had to endure dispossession & repression.
Refer to our link https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=L5YPt5O4c7c
What is the significance and history of the Métis Flag?
The first Metis flag was blue and was a gift from the Northwest Company. The infinity symbol on the flag represents the Metis culture will live forever. The two joining circles stand for two cultures coming together-Aboriginal and European. The blue Metis flag was first flown in 1816 and the first patriotic flag flown in Canada.
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What is the Daniel’s Case?
The case was initiated in 1999 by well-known Métis leader – Harry Daniels when he was President of the Congress of Aboriginal Peoples (“CAP”). The case was against the federal government as represented by the Minister of Indian Affairs and Northern Development (now known as the Minister of Aboriginal Affairs and Northern Development Canada) and The Attorneey General of Canada (the “Defendants”). After Harry’s death in 2004, Gabriel Daniels (Harry’s son) was added as a plaintiff to ensure a Métis representative plaintiff was maintained in the litigation. The Plaintiffs asked the Court to grant them three declarations:
(a) that Métis and non-status Indians are “Indians” within the meaning of the expression “Indians and lands reserved for Indians” in s. 91(24) of the Constitution Act, 1867;
(b) that the Queen (in right of Canada) owes a fiduciary duty to Métis and 