“You’re Métis, that just means you’re half native, right?”

“You’re Métis, that just means you’re half native, right?“

Wrong.

Today, the ‘Canadian Constitution’ recognizes three distinct Aboriginal Identities: First Nations, Métis, and Inuk (Inuit).¹

So – who are the Métis?
The Métis² are an Indigenous Nation borne of familial relations between First Nations and European peoples.
While it’s true that the first generation of Métis people were direct descendents of First Nations women and French Fur Traders (making them technically ‘half native’), they also have a unique history, language, cultural practice, and spiritual beliefs. Because of this, they are a distinct Indigenous People. 
Where I live in Canada, citizens of Métis Nation are required to prove their genealogy, which includes providing many generations of birth and death certificates in order to achieve citizenship. Historically this has not always been the case, which unfortunately discredits the identities of those who are the direct descendents of the first citizens of Métis Nation – that is, those of Manitoba’s Red River Settlement. Additionally, this perpetuates the belief that anyone with partial Indigenous ancestry is Métis.
While the concept of blood quantum³ is harmful and outdated, it is still important to differentiate between a person of mixed ancestry and a citizen of Métis Nation.

You see, Métis is not an all-encompassing umbrella term to be used for anyone with partial Indigenous ancestry. Originally, the people of Métis Nation were stripped of their rights, and labelled as ‘half breed’ by the ‘Government of Canada’. While the systems currently in place for citizenship may be far from perfect, they have significantly improved in recent years. Unfortunately the process of separating ourselves from colonial governance is ongoing as the ‘Government of Canada’ is a perpetual appendage of the Settler Mindset.

The Métis people are persevering, strong, and creative. Among many other traits we are known for our patterned sashes, fiddling, jigging, beadwork, Michif language, and – most importantly – for our refusal to be eradicated.

In the words of Louis Riel (known as “the leader of the half-breeds”):
“My people will sleep for one hundred years, but when they awake, it will be the artists who give them their spirit back.”

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¹It’s important to note that the requirements put in place by the Government of Canada for Indigenous Status are inherently colonial in nature, and do not always reflect a person’s personal or cultural identity. Modern requirements for Status are rooted in colonialism.

²the term Métis comes from “mixtum”, the Latin word for ‘mixed’

³Blood Quantum is a strategy used by the government and tribes to authenticate the amount of “Native blood” a person has by tracing individual and group ancestry. The amount a person has is measured in fractions, such as ¼ or ½. This measurement can affect a person’s tribal identity and ability to become a federal member.

*All information in this post has been recorded as accurately as possible and cites information available at Métis Nation British Columbia and the ‘Government of Canada’ website.