The Métis National Council’s annual general meeting wrapped up Thursday in Winnipeg with a series of resolutions it believes will help the nation to nation relationship with Canada including adopting a Métis map.
One resolution the MNC hopes will help is an official map of the Métis people.
“It’s been a bit of a struggle because for lots of different reasons, political, administrative, and other reasons for a long long time,” said Will Goodon of the Manitoba Métis Federation.
“But this map is something that’s very similar to one that was developed in 1983 when the Métis National Council was first formed by the three Prairie Métis governments.
“So this is just putting something back into place so that it’s very clear of where the Métis Nation is.”
The idea behind the map started when the MNC noticed the rise of groups in eastern Canada who the MNC says falsely claim Métis rights.
Agreeing with a map is also sending a message.
Earlier this week, the Métis Nation of Ontario (MNO) was disciplined for accepting non-Métis people into its ranks.
“It’s certainly a narrowing of the… what’s been recognized as the historic Métis Nation homeland,” said Margaret Froh, president of the MNO. “And that doesn’t include communities like the Powley community, which is the only Métis community that’s been recognized in law in Canada as being a rights-bearing Métis community.”
“We’ll talk with our citizens and make sure people understand the decisions that have been made and we’ll continue to move forward.”
Will Goodon, the minister of housing and property management for the Manitoba Métis Federation, says the approval of the homeland map resolution is a historic moment and something that needed to be put in place.
“We are a distinct people that developed 200 or 300 years ago and we have community ties, we have kinship ties, our own language, we have our own food, our own dance, our own uniforms – so there’s lots of evidence for the Métis Nation to say that we are a people,” he said.
“There’s not a lot of evidence for some of these others, so again we’re not saying who we are, we’re saying that they’re not somebody, or they’re not a nation, or they’re not a people, we’re just saying they’re not us.”
This issue is deeper then were we live.
How dare the MNC tell us who we are, and who we are not!
We need to regroup across Ontario to the East Coast as a united front.
I am deeply upset that our brothers and sisters have turned their backs against the majority of Metis people in Ontario. Once again we are fighting for who we are.
And what of our MNO leader? She was very quick to accept the terms of the MNC, but then her status is safe as a person from the west.
Time for a new leader! Someone who will fight for our birth rights and lead us into the future.
Miigwech
This issue is deeper then were we live.
How dare the MNC tell us who we are, and who we are not!
We need to regroup across Ontario to the East Coast as a united front.
I am deeply upset that our brothers and sisters have turned their backs against the majority of Metis people in Ontario. Once again we are fighting for who we are.
And what of our MNO leader? She was very quick to accept the terms of the MNC, but then her status is safe as a person from the west.
Time for a new leader! Someone who will fight for our birth rights and lead us into the future.
Miigwech
Ben moé chu tut perdu dans vos définitions.vous êtes tut des halfbreed pi qui parlent pi qui pense en colonial anglais pi cé vous ôtes qui contrôles les michiff. Métis céans mot français pas anglais pi ça d’ecri Nos lien avec nos familles française pi vous zote les halfbreed vos famille anglaise. Pas pareil pan tut. Sein une nation metis pie ben une nation halfbreed pi tout le monde va se comprendre.. Metis cé pas4 un mot générique Métis ce une identitédistincte au language des Metis pas des halfbreed. Cepeuxtête ca le problème de l.appropriation du mot Metis par les halfbreed qui devrait organiser leur propre nation .vouszète pas des métis mais des hafbreed pi ça aussi cé une bel nâtiony
Ben moé chu tut perdu dans vos définitions.vous êtes tut des halfbreed pi qui parlent pi qui pense en colonial anglais pi cé vous ôtes qui contrôles les michiff. Métis céans mot français pas anglais pi ça d’ecri Nos lien avec nos familles française pi vous zote les halfbreed vos famille anglaise. Pas pareil pan tut. Sein une nation metis pie ben une nation halfbreed pi tout le monde va se comprendre.. Metis cé pas4 un mot générique Métis ce une identitédistincte au language des Metis pas des halfbreed. Cepeuxtête ca le problème de l.appropriation du mot Metis par les halfbreed qui devrait organiser leur propre nation .vouszète pas des métis mais des hafbreed pi ça aussi cé une bel nâtiony
Paragraph 17 of the 2016 decision by the Supreme Court of Canada in the Harry Daniels case.
This paragraph states that there is no one exclusive Métis People in Canada, and referred specifically to historical Métis in Nova Scotia.
The MNC position defining who the Métis people are runs contrary to the Daniels Case and is a violation of the Canadian Constitution.
Section 35 recognises and protects the rights of First Nation, Metis and Inuit and it grants those rights to each Individual …. it does not say First Nations, MNC and Inuit
Paragraph 17 of the 2016 decision by the Supreme Court of Canada in the Harry Daniels case.
This paragraph states that there is no one exclusive Métis People in Canada, and referred specifically to historical Métis in Nova Scotia.
The MNC position defining who the Métis people are runs contrary to the Daniels Case and is a violation of the Canadian Constitution.
Section 35 recognises and protects the rights of First Nation, Metis and Inuit and it grants those rights to each Individual …. it does not say First Nations, MNC and Inuit
There is an identity crisis in this country in the understanding of what Metis means. The Metis have there own distinct language is call Micif. Alberta has Metis settlements. Just because you have mix blood doesn’t make you Metis. Your mixed blood with aboriginal ancestry. 20 years ago there wasn’t very many Metis people now it’s flooded since the Supreme Court rule their were part of aboriginal people’s. People think there’s a benefit to being Metis. It’s what can I get rather than having any true understanding of the cultural heritage. If you need to research your history to find lineage that totally shows your knowledge. Being raise Metis you understand what that identity implies
So my dad’s treaty first nation, very brown, me mom’s lilly white i’m very white in appearance, me sister’s a bit darker does this mean I have no title as A Meti’s because I don’t speak Michif? Sounds ignorant actually, How about, we look at it this way. Why don’t we start doing blood analysis cause I’ve sure noticed a lot of Indigenous looking people, almost distinctly first nations with status rights claiming to be METIS and living in Metis Settlements, how can Northern Saskatchewan and Manitoba be flooded with Metis Settlement and Southern and south central Saskatchewan Partiuclarly around the Batoche area itself have nothing for Metis Settlements, Or rights, when so much of my family is from here, and Northern Saskatchewan save for a few people from Europa? Hmmm? And what If I choose to participate in cultural activites one over the other because it’s what feels best? I’m no First Nations I’m kinda Metis by definition just not your definition, because I know who my ancestors were, and I know how I feel and think inside and how I relate to the world, and this country. because I think it has to do with the fact that they were forced to give up there languages and cultures is why we don’t speak Michif. This map ought to include the entire continent. It doesn’t make sense, obviously there were French and English and Dutch and German immigrants on the east coasts before they were in the west, thus we’re allowing the MNC to collectively ignore historical record and fact and disavow and forget the people’s from these areas who were basically the first?
right on
This is closed minded comment of being Metis!
when you are taken away from your family you do not know your cultural roots but they show up anyway eventually in your interests and other ways. l think it is called spirit memory. l experienced that. Everyone has to belong somewhere. Should l line up french, uel metis, English, german, scottish. l am a mongrol but my metis family did not know where l was or they would have taken me in. l now know that.
what l lacked in experience l gained in interest and have dedicated 18 years of my adult life too . They are not taking that away from me now or ever. l walked the walk, l talk the talk, and l paid the price of colonization.
I have been doing Metis genealogy and social history for fifteen years and I know for sure that there are Metis communities in Ontario that existed historically that are not being covered by this map. All the culture, language and history are there? Penetanguishing, Mattawa, locations along the Ottawa River, the greater Sault St. Marie area and more….??? to exclude these communities does not make sense. The Powley Case???
Perhaps MNO will have no choice but to leave the ranks and set off on their own to represent their citizens.
There is an identity crisis in this country in the understanding of what Metis means. The Metis have there own distinct language is call Micif. Alberta has Metis settlements. Just because you have mix blood doesn’t make you Metis. Your mixed blood with aboriginal ancestry. 20 years ago there wasn’t very many Metis people now it’s flooded since the Supreme Court rule their were part of aboriginal people’s. People think there’s a benefit to being Metis. It’s what can I get rather than having any true understanding of the cultural heritage. If you need to research your history to find lineage that totally shows your knowledge. Being raise Metis you understand what that identity implies
So my dad’s treaty first nation, very brown, me mom’s lilly white i’m very white in appearance, me sister’s a bit darker does this mean I have no title as A Meti’s because I don’t speak Michif? Sounds ignorant actually, How about, we look at it this way. Why don’t we start doing blood analysis cause I’ve sure noticed a lot of Indigenous looking people, almost distinctly first nations with status rights claiming to be METIS and living in Metis Settlements, how can Northern Saskatchewan and Manitoba be flooded with Metis Settlement and Southern and south central Saskatchewan Partiuclarly around the Batoche area itself have nothing for Metis Settlements, Or rights, when so much of my family is from here, and Northern Saskatchewan save for a few people from Europa? Hmmm? And what If I choose to participate in cultural activites one over the other because it’s what feels best? I’m no First Nations I’m kinda Metis by definition just not your definition, because I know who my ancestors were, and I know how I feel and think inside and how I relate to the world, and this country. because I think it has to do with the fact that they were forced to give up there languages and cultures is why we don’t speak Michif. This map ought to include the entire continent. It doesn’t make sense, obviously there were French and English and Dutch and German immigrants on the east coasts before they were in the west, thus we’re allowing the MNC to collectively ignore historical record and fact and disavow and forget the people’s from these areas who were basically the first?
right on
This is closed minded comment of being Metis!
when you are taken away from your family you do not know your cultural roots but they show up anyway eventually in your interests and other ways. l think it is called spirit memory. l experienced that. Everyone has to belong somewhere. Should l line up french, uel metis, English, german, scottish. l am a mongrol but my metis family did not know where l was or they would have taken me in. l now know that.
what l lacked in experience l gained in interest and have dedicated 18 years of my adult life too . They are not taking that away from me now or ever. l walked the walk, l talk the talk, and l paid the price of colonization.
Why isn’t BC recognized on the map. Who do you think Developed it.
Blake, what a good question !!! BC’s first head of a Government way back in 18-1900’s, yes a Metis from Manitoba, but still Metis.
Mr. Douglas and his wife (Metis) also came from Manitoba to help settle BC.
I have been doing Metis genealogy and social history for fifteen years and I know for sure that there are Metis communities in Ontario that existed historically that are not being covered by this map. All the culture, language and history are there? Penetanguishing, Mattawa, locations along the Ottawa River, the greater Sault St. Marie area and more….??? to exclude these communities does not make sense. The Powley Case???
Perhaps MNO will have no choice but to leave the ranks and set off on their own to represent their citizens.
Why isn’t BC recognized on the map. Who do you think Developed it.
Blake, what a good question !!! BC’s first head of a Government way back in 18-1900’s, yes a Metis from Manitoba, but still Metis.
Mr. Douglas and his wife (Metis) also came from Manitoba to help settle BC.
Thank you for creating the map. It is important and I hope it makes those in Eastern Canada see the light.
Thank you for creating the map. It is important and I hope it makes those in Eastern Canada see the light.
As stated in the article, Sault St Marie is not on the map. The Powley case originated in Sault St Marie.
Also, my ancestors who lived in the Sault St Marie were not Metis until the moved to the Red River? Census documents say differently.
As stated in the article, Sault St Marie is not on the map. The Powley case originated in Sault St Marie.
Also, my ancestors who lived in the Sault St Marie were not Metis until the moved to the Red River? Census documents say differently.
why did they leave out the Sahtu in the NWT? There are so many Metis in that region and they are recognized by the land claim
Because MNC is basically run by Chartrand who believes Manitoba is all there is when it comes to Metis… new research has come out through the hard work of individuals that large portions of BC were part of the homeland but they don’t want to give up power to the “bookend provinces”
looks like it covers part of NWT
As a mno citizens im happy about this decision now we can move forward with our own people and not worry about being under the mnc thumb
why did they leave out the Sahtu in the NWT? There are so many Metis in that region and they are recognized by the land claim
Because MNC is basically run by Chartrand who believes Manitoba is all there is when it comes to Metis… new research has come out through the hard work of individuals that large portions of BC were part of the homeland but they don’t want to give up power to the “bookend provinces”
looks like it covers part of NWT
As a mno citizens im happy about this decision now we can move forward with our own people and not worry about being under the mnc thumb