Tom Fennario
APTN News
A Quebec man who says that he is Metis has filed a human rights complaint against the Metis National Council (MNC).
He said they are discriminating against Metis in Quebec.
The MNC said that you can’t discriminate against something that doesn’t exist.
Dear Bill Lapointe
Every time I read your comment it makes me chukcles so much I do not need the metis National council or le MMF or any of those pseudo organisation to tell me who and what I am I have know since I was born
What I am claiming is that they do not have the right to tell me who and What I am, so Bill MIckey Mouse Lapointe Is that clear No one has the right to put down other metis because of what ever reason So the MNC did and they will pay for it one way or the other Now if you want to be a cartoon and follow some lunatic by all means be my guess perhaps what you may want to realise if you sell my rights or the rights of my children I will tell them and I will be ready will you be ready
Dear Bill Lapointe
Every time I read your comment it makes me chukcles so much I do not need the metis National council or le MMF or any of those pseudo organisation to tell me who and what I am I have know since I was born
What I am claiming is that they do not have the right to tell me who and What I am, so Bill MIckey Mouse Lapointe Is that clear No one has the right to put down other metis because of what ever reason So the MNC did and they will pay for it one way or the other Now if you want to be a cartoon and follow some lunatic by all means be my guess perhaps what you may want to realise if you sell my rights or the rights of my children I will tell them and I will be ready will you be ready
A very noble dream and goal, Gina, and one that I wish could happen…. however, being the realistic person that I am, I don’t think I am mistaken to think that unity among all the Metis in Canada will NEVER happen as long as the MNC and their acolytes run the show… and remain as close to the government as they currently are. There are people in this world who believe their own brainwashing so deeply that they are like horses with blinders…. they cannot see further than the tip of their noses…. or their personal ambition. I should know, because I worked for the MNO for 5 years, and what I have witnessed with them and the MNC has convinced me that there will always be two Metis camps…. the MNC and the others. That’s the very sad reality. The MNC is and will continue doing all they can to discredit the eastern Metis, and prevent us from getting recognition from the government, or a penny in funding. Ask INAC how much funding they have given to eastern Metis groups in the last 10 years. I bet you it is less than $100,000, yet the MNC has received almost half a BILLION $$ (that we know of) in the last two years alone. Our eastern Metis students are denied education bursaries by Indspire because they don’t hold an MNC card. Jean Teillet, an MNC lawyer, is now sitting on the Interim National Council for Reconciliation, which will be led by Grand Chief Wilton Littlechild. It would not surprise me one bit if Teillet does everything in her power to ensure that no eastern Metis is allowed to participate or contribute anything. I wish I could share your optimism, but I know only too well that the MNC is much more behind the division than anyone thinks or realize…..
A very noble dream and goal, Gina, and one that I wish could happen…. however, being the realistic person that I am, I don’t think I am mistaken to think that unity among all the Metis in Canada will NEVER happen as long as the MNC and their acolytes run the show… and remain as close to the government as they currently are. There are people in this world who believe their own brainwashing so deeply that they are like horses with blinders…. they cannot see further than the tip of their noses…. or their personal ambition. I should know, because I worked for the MNO for 5 years, and what I have witnessed with them and the MNC has convinced me that there will always be two Metis camps…. the MNC and the others. That’s the very sad reality. The MNC is and will continue doing all they can to discredit the eastern Metis, and prevent us from getting recognition from the government, or a penny in funding. Ask INAC how much funding they have given to eastern Metis groups in the last 10 years. I bet you it is less than $100,000, yet the MNC has received almost half a BILLION $$ (that we know of) in the last two years alone. Our eastern Metis students are denied education bursaries by Indspire because they don’t hold an MNC card. Jean Teillet, an MNC lawyer, is now sitting on the Interim National Council for Reconciliation, which will be led by Grand Chief Wilton Littlechild. It would not surprise me one bit if Teillet does everything in her power to ensure that no eastern Metis is allowed to participate or contribute anything. I wish I could share your optimism, but I know only too well that the MNC is much more behind the division than anyone thinks or realize…..
This is exactly what the government wants to see and hear. They want us to fight among ourselves so they can dived and conquer. This is BS in my opinion. Most of us have mix blood. White men have married aboriginal women and vis-versa. It has nothing to do with the color of our skin. Métis started East of Canada, whether people like it or not, and spread West, and much further. WE ARE ALL MÉTIS FROM COAST TO COAST TO COAST. Why don’t we stay calm, respect one another, and work together to achieve our common goal, which is to be recognized as one great big family of MÉTIS. Cheers and Happy New Year!!
This is exactly what the government wants to see and hear. They want us to fight among ourselves so they can dived and conquer. This is BS in my opinion. Most of us have mix blood. White men have married aboriginal women and vis-versa. It has nothing to do with the color of our skin. Métis started East of Canada, whether people like it or not, and spread West, and much further. WE ARE ALL MÉTIS FROM COAST TO COAST TO COAST. Why don’t we stay calm, respect one another, and work together to achieve our common goal, which is to be recognized as one great big family of MÉTIS. Cheers and Happy New Year!!
I have met many racist and discriminatory peoples in my life…. and then there are the Clement Chartier and David Chartrand of this world… men who defy polite description…. Men leading organisations that use millions of taxpayers dollars to re-write the real Metis history, the real origin of the Metis Peoples to justify their political and financial agendas …. Make no mistake Clem Chartier, there are a few hundreds thousands of Metis in the east. We are the descendants of the first Metis people of Canada and we will prove it once and for all. Re-writing history does not mean that it is the real history. There were Metis peoples in the east almost 200 before the first white man went west and an married Indigenous woman. One of them was Allan MacDonell, who married an Ojibwa woman about 1805…. Their daughter may be my first western Metis ancestor…. BUT there had been half a dozen others in the east – 175 years before that…. and I have all the documents to prove it… because you see, I come from the Dumont, Couc, Menard, Prevost, Mius, Raymond, Tellier, Fafard, Larocque, Quesnel, etc, etc men who all married Indigenous women in Quebec. Their children were Metis way before any Chartiers, Chartrands and Gaudrys ever left the east to make their way west. There are thousands of other people like me who have Metis ancestry in the east and in the west, and some only in the east, and others only in the west. Regardless of geography, their blood is Metis. To call us mixed-blood is the most stupid thing anyone can do, when both words mean the same thing.
The MNC is in fact the Red River Metis Council and that’s what they should call themselves, because using the word Metis Nation to describe themselves is just as misleading as calling themselves the Metis “National” Council.
As for Adam Gaudry, he is but a small caliber professor who claims to be a lot more than he really is, and gives way much more importance to his personal opinion than anyone else does. He is not a historian, a genealogist, not a government representative or spokesperson, nor a lawyer or a judge. He is nothing but a small time professor whose opinion has no weight whatsoever. He is among those who still think that the earth is flat 🙂
There is many proof of existing historical metis communities in the east, probably only 20% of those claiming to be are truly from those communities. Yet those 20% diserve to be listened to but they will be ignore and silent because of the ignorance and false informations being perpetuated by both side of the argument. Racism and hate towards Quebec takes away any possible rational conversation regarding this issue. If we combine an identity being base on fantasy rather then real history in quebec and out east, i dont see the day this debate will go anywhere. Meanwhile i beleive many will keep suffering in silence yet working hard to preserve the memories and identity alive.
^^^ THANK YOU FREEDOM! you spoke my mind. There are real metis in the east but we are overshadowed by those trying to gain for personal benefit.
I have met many racist and discriminatory peoples in my life…. and then there are the Clement Chartier and David Chartrand of this world… men who defy polite description…. Men leading organisations that use millions of taxpayers dollars to re-write the real Metis history, the real origin of the Metis Peoples to justify their political and financial agendas …. Make no mistake Clem Chartier, there are a few hundreds thousands of Metis in the east. We are the descendants of the first Metis people of Canada and we will prove it once and for all. Re-writing history does not mean that it is the real history. There were Metis peoples in the east almost 200 before the first white man went west and an married Indigenous woman. One of them was Allan MacDonell, who married an Ojibwa woman about 1805…. Their daughter may be my first western Metis ancestor…. BUT there had been half a dozen others in the east – 175 years before that…. and I have all the documents to prove it… because you see, I come from the Dumont, Couc, Menard, Prevost, Mius, Raymond, Tellier, Fafard, Larocque, Quesnel, etc, etc men who all married Indigenous women in Quebec. Their children were Metis way before any Chartiers, Chartrands and Gaudrys ever left the east to make their way west. There are thousands of other people like me who have Metis ancestry in the east and in the west, and some only in the east, and others only in the west. Regardless of geography, their blood is Metis. To call us mixed-blood is the most stupid thing anyone can do, when both words mean the same thing.
The MNC is in fact the Red River Metis Council and that’s what they should call themselves, because using the word Metis Nation to describe themselves is just as misleading as calling themselves the Metis “National” Council.
As for Adam Gaudry, he is but a small caliber professor who claims to be a lot more than he really is, and gives way much more importance to his personal opinion than anyone else does. He is not a historian, a genealogist, not a government representative or spokesperson, nor a lawyer or a judge. He is nothing but a small time professor whose opinion has no weight whatsoever. He is among those who still think that the earth is flat 🙂
There is many proof of existing historical metis communities in the east, probably only 20% of those claiming to be are truly from those communities. Yet those 20% diserve to be listened to but they will be ignore and silent because of the ignorance and false informations being perpetuated by both side of the argument. Racism and hate towards Quebec takes away any possible rational conversation regarding this issue. If we combine an identity being base on fantasy rather then real history in quebec and out east, i dont see the day this debate will go anywhere. Meanwhile i beleive many will keep suffering in silence yet working hard to preserve the memories and identity alive.
^^^ THANK YOU FREEDOM! you spoke my mind. There are real metis in the east but we are overshadowed by those trying to gain for personal benefit.
The Manitoba Metis Federation accepts membership applications from outside the province. Let him go through the process. He won’t be the first person to have his application rejected. And judging by the number of people suddenly claiming to be Métis he won’t be the last.
This guy is just a s**t disturber looking for attention and or a free handout. Talk about cultural appropriation!
Cher Bill
Vraiement donne moi une bonne raison parle moi en de l’appropriation culturelle tu est pas mal drole
mercie de ton commentaire
Bonne chance mon vieux
Cher Bill Lapointe Pourquoi demander in membership au Manitoba la citoyennete de la Nation Metis c’est pas une demande a in club social Aie cela fait tres longtemps que je suis metis, de quoi vous m’accuser plus precisement ? Wow parle moi don’t d’appropriation culturel Repond moi en Michif pour le fun on vas sen dire deux mots ou trois
En bon Entendeur salut
The metis was created to destroy the Indian and it’s working to benefit the white government as they planned. Louis Riel was 1/10th. DENE and his wife was a French white woman….they were Catholic by religion….”You can’t go to church on Sunday and be an Indian on monday”.
The Manitoba Metis Federation accepts membership applications from outside the province. Let him go through the process. He won’t be the first person to have his application rejected. And judging by the number of people suddenly claiming to be Métis he won’t be the last.
This guy is just a s**t disturber looking for attention and or a free handout. Talk about cultural appropriation!
Cher Bill
Vraiement donne moi une bonne raison parle moi en de l’appropriation culturelle tu est pas mal drole
mercie de ton commentaire
Bonne chance mon vieux
Cher Bill Lapointe Pourquoi demander in membership au Manitoba la citoyennete de la Nation Metis c’est pas une demande a in club social Aie cela fait tres longtemps que je suis metis, de quoi vous m’accuser plus precisement ? Wow parle moi don’t d’appropriation culturel Repond moi en Michif pour le fun on vas sen dire deux mots ou trois
En bon Entendeur salut
No… it was Ontario. I have my card.. québécois want to try to get everything . I hate that province.
Natalie , Having a card does not mean the Metis was born in Ontario There are Metis in the East just like in the Ouest but the Govt refused to recognize the metis from the East.The true Metis were born in Quebec then they migrate to the ouest .Please read the true definition of a metis and learn your history before judging other provinces because you obviously do not know what you are talking about.
Natalie ,you have a card and so do i and the Govt wont recognize a true Metis. Metis were born in Quebec look it up and do youre homework .Having a card from Ontario does not mean anything at all . There are Metis everywhere in Canada but the Metis of the ouest wont recognize us and so the Govt.
Gino-Damasse Carrier 1885 Batoche Riel closed friend …
The metis was created to destroy the Indian and it’s working to benefit the white government as they planned. Louis Riel was 1/10th. DENE and his wife was a French white woman….they were Catholic by religion….”You can’t go to church on Sunday and be an Indian on monday”.
No… it was Ontario. I have my card.. québécois want to try to get everything . I hate that province.
Natalie , Having a card does not mean the Metis was born in Ontario There are Metis in the East just like in the Ouest but the Govt refused to recognize the metis from the East.The true Metis were born in Quebec then they migrate to the ouest .Please read the true definition of a metis and learn your history before judging other provinces because you obviously do not know what you are talking about.
Natalie ,you have a card and so do i and the Govt wont recognize a true Metis. Metis were born in Quebec look it up and do youre homework .Having a card from Ontario does not mean anything at all . There are Metis everywhere in Canada but the Metis of the ouest wont recognize us and so the Govt.
Gino-Damasse Carrier 1885 Batoche Riel closed friend …
There is major confusion on what the Metis Nation even is. Many think Metis is just anyone of mixed or half white and half Indig. ancestry. Most people from the Metis Nation are not half & half in the simplest sense. The Metis Nation is identified by a group originating in the west via a small group of Indigenous women and their descendants who can trace their families fairly easily (Scrip records are well documented).
The introduction of the Euro blood (French mostly) for most Metis came in the 1600s & 1700s. From these lines, the majority married other Metis & First Nations, mainly the Cree. They created their own cultural norms/customs. They are a distinct nation apart from non-status &/or mixed Indigenous people. Some Metis moved to different parts of the continent and deserve recognition, but they did not create new “Metis Nation” settlements across the country. If you are mixed, but not Metis Nation, you can claim Indigenous, (proudly hold up your nation), but it’d be non-status – for now. This is part of what needs repair in national recognition issues across the country – including even those of Metis Nation ancestry.
One last thing, even for Metis recognition by a Metis Association requires proof of ancestry along with one’s claim of self-ID. Most require a documented record of 5 immediate generations of Indigenous relationship to the Metis. Gov’t records are available for this.
Lauren has it pretty dead on. There is no such thing as Métis “status” and we never want there to be. The Indian Registry is something that was created by the government of Canada and will always be controlled by the government of Canada whether First Nations decide to take back control of their own band membership or not. We are not bands and we don’t have members. We are a nation and we have citizens. Did you know that the Metis are the only Indigenous peoples in Canada who have always controlled their own citizenship? Don’t expect a few mixed blood persons with no historic Metis community ties to change that. Most Canadians will never understand that being Metis has virtually nothing to do with genetics or rights, and everything to do with ties to both a modern and a historic Metis community. I don’t see any Human Rights Commission messing with that. P.S. It would be nice if people stopped referring to non-rights bearing non-Indigenous people as “white”. We are, by far and away, Caucasian people and always have been.
Stupid, the first Metis were in Ontario
WRONG Colette: The first Metis was André Lasnier, born in 1620 in Port Latour, Nova Scotia
There is major confusion on what the Metis Nation even is. Many think Metis is just anyone of mixed or half white and half Indig. ancestry. Most people from the Metis Nation are not half & half in the simplest sense. The Metis Nation is identified by a group originating in the west via a small group of Indigenous women and their descendants who can trace their families fairly easily (Scrip records are well documented).
The introduction of the Euro blood (French mostly) for most Metis came in the 1600s & 1700s. From these lines, the majority married other Metis & First Nations, mainly the Cree. They created their own cultural norms/customs. They are a distinct nation apart from non-status &/or mixed Indigenous people. Some Metis moved to different parts of the continent and deserve recognition, but they did not create new “Metis Nation” settlements across the country. If you are mixed, but not Metis Nation, you can claim Indigenous, (proudly hold up your nation), but it’d be non-status – for now. This is part of what needs repair in national recognition issues across the country – including even those of Metis Nation ancestry.
One last thing, even for Metis recognition by a Metis Association requires proof of ancestry along with one’s claim of self-ID. Most require a documented record of 5 immediate generations of Indigenous relationship to the Metis. Gov’t records are available for this.
Let’s get this straight, there is no status when it comes to us Métis. You’re either a citizen or you’re not. Status is a term created under the Indian act. Our cards do not say status. That’s a fight for those defined as Indians, they have a blood quantum tier – we do not. If you do not descend from a historic Métis settlement, you are not Métis. You are a mixed-blood, aka non-status. Don’t hate us for defending our unique culture, hate the government for creating this division and continuing it in the first place.
So my wife, descendant of Louis Riel, is Metis, by your rules, and blaming the government for something that the Metis created is disingenuous. Why would you not embrace all the people who are as Metis as you, despite geography?
Well said Lauren
No you have they ones that NEVER wonted to be Indian. They should not be recognized as metis .
Dear Lauren
sorry to make you sad but the metis registry is under the control of the department of aboriginal affairs now
Check this out
Qweebekers want to be Metis as soon as the Metis get a couple of right! Typical white people. And this guy looks as far from native as anyone as I’ve ever see !
This is not new. My roots are metis from Atlantic Canada and Quebec. To say our neechie blood was not spilled on this land for many milleniums would be a lie.
You are also white
Looks have nothing to do with being Métis. It’s in the blood and the generations going back to our ancestors. We’re not asking for property rights only other rights given to other Metis nations. We want to be recognized for what we are!
With all the respect you give for Quebec metis I think you forgot a lot of your history. First when Riel wanted to take fort Garry he had to wait for the ”voyageurs” then he was able to for a 400 metis army with them .After he went to fort Garry and took it without any fight as our ancestors were there to create the army, This was November 1869 then he formed his first government of what is so called now Manitoba. The fact that the ” voyageurs ” were moving and sometimes were signing contract to stay there for winter make them choose to have a second and a third wife because they were adapted to the life there. Some of my family were here at fort Maurepas and fort Edmonton as early as 1750.Some of my family stayed in the west but some came back after Riels was hanged . My grand father was born North Dakota and the family was already metis before they were in the west .After seeing their Indians friends and metis chief hanged and also struggling for living with child’s they decided to come back in Quebec in 1887. Some of my family stayed in Dakota and some came back to Canada and others search for safe places for their family.Some were at milichimakinak, others went Oregon others went at saint-Paul of the metis (south Edmonton). Some are recognised as Indians and my family lived on a reserve which they were suddenly forced to quit due to an internal fight and rules against native women. Well sir I think that you guys from west sometimes speak faster then you think ? Now take a rest and think and I wish you will think faster then you talk at the very next time my friend ! I never lost my language and can manage a little in English Italian and Russian this due to my genes. Je suis Métis et je parle le Français.Have a very nice day !
Dear Mr. Marois
Excellent comment Very often we forget oral tradition, Oral tradition is a very important part of our Metis history Very often peoples whom claim to be Professor expert on Metis history never been expose to oral history. They are contented with using their influence to mis-informing the peoples. I was invited few time in university to share knowledge at a conference of Higher learning They call me EXPERT I did not like it made me forget who I am Just a Metis that like to learn from my folks
Thanks again for you comments
Rock
Je suis d’accord avec vous Mr. Marois et beaucoup d’autres dans ces reply’s. Il y a des gents de l’Ouest qui oublient leur histoire du Canada sur les Indiens et Métis. Les Métis ont commencé dans l’Est du Pays (Canada maintenant) par les voyageurs de la traite des fourures. Les Métis de L’Ouest sont venu de l’Est, ils n’ont pas été parachuté dans l’Ouest du ciel. Soyez plus réaliste et retournez à l’école pour apprendre votre histoire du Canada (je parle pour les supposéments professeurs d’universités). Ce sont les gouvernements fédéral et provincial qui ont voulu détruire les autochtones et regardez aujourd’hui, ils gagnent leur cause à la Cour Suprême du Canada. Mais notre gouvernement fédéral doive faire les réconciliations avec les Métis de L’Est comme ils l’ ont fait avec ceux de l’Ouest. Ce qui est bon pour un est bon pour tous les Métis. Alors Mr. J. Trudeau et Mme C. Bennett n’attendez pas au printemps faite le des maintenant vos réconciliations et accords avec nous les Métis de l’Est et montrez le aussi avec ceux du Québec, vous avez faite une promesse électoral alors respectez là. La province du Québec fait parti du Canada alors ils doivent respecté les Lois fédéral du Parlement du Canada comme notre Loi constitutionnelle de 1982 Article 35 et 15. Si non, ils sont des contrevenants à une ” Désobéissance à une loi ” sous article 126 (1,2) du code criminel qui est une désobéissance à une Loi fédéral et notre Charte Canadienne des droits et liberté est une Loi fédéral du Parlement du Canada. C’est pour ainsi dire respectez les Lois du pays le Canada. Est-ce que vous avez compris le message le gouvernement provincial du Québec. Respectez vos Métis et Indiens non statués.
Quebecquers were Metis 200 years before any white man ever went west….. it is the people of the west who took that name from the eastern Metis. Gaudry is the worst idiot and racist of the bunch along with a few others who still think that the earth is flat
Oh Karole Beckett. What a gross comment – that betrays how little you actually understand about Metis people and Metisness – and racism for that matter. It is RICH that a white woman throws out accusations of racism with nary a clue as to how problematic it is. How tired.
So prove that claim… Reg Le Claire
So do all the Metis who are were in this interview. Your attitude that one has to look a certain way is very a white thing to do.
Lauren has it pretty dead on. There is no such thing as Métis “status” and we never want there to be. The Indian Registry is something that was created by the government of Canada and will always be controlled by the government of Canada whether First Nations decide to take back control of their own band membership or not. We are not bands and we don’t have members. We are a nation and we have citizens. Did you know that the Metis are the only Indigenous peoples in Canada who have always controlled their own citizenship? Don’t expect a few mixed blood persons with no historic Metis community ties to change that. Most Canadians will never understand that being Metis has virtually nothing to do with genetics or rights, and everything to do with ties to both a modern and a historic Metis community. I don’t see any Human Rights Commission messing with that. P.S. It would be nice if people stopped referring to non-rights bearing non-Indigenous people as “white”. We are, by far and away, Caucasian people and always have been.
More info needed on this article -?
Dear Naomi
Thank you very much for taking the time for your comment It is absolutely true that more info is needed as it is an issue that is complex as well been there for quite a while, In the most recent development dates from the constitutional conference on section 25 and 35 of the constitution. held from 1984 to 1987. At the time all aboriginal leaders gathered and tried to figure out the approach to deal with those articles that would guaranty some rights, A group of Metis from the prairie decided to break rank from the main group. The Metis in the east choose to remain with the Native council of Canada in spirit of solidarity. This group ever since pull their agenda at the expenses of the majority of Metis in Canada. They represent only few peoples very few and operate in a fashion that is very far from democratic.
I encourage you to seek the truth
Thanks Rocky
Stupid, the first Metis were in Ontario
WRONG Colette: The first Metis was André Lasnier, born in 1620 in Port Latour, Nova Scotia
Let’s get this straight, there is no status when it comes to us Métis. You’re either a citizen or you’re not. Status is a term created under the Indian act. Our cards do not say status. That’s a fight for those defined as Indians, they have a blood quantum tier – we do not. If you do not descend from a historic Métis settlement, you are not Métis. You are a mixed-blood, aka non-status. Don’t hate us for defending our unique culture, hate the government for creating this division and continuing it in the first place.
So my wife, descendant of Louis Riel, is Metis, by your rules, and blaming the government for something that the Metis created is disingenuous. Why would you not embrace all the people who are as Metis as you, despite geography?
Well said Lauren
No you have they ones that NEVER wonted to be Indian. They should not be recognized as metis .
Dear Lauren
sorry to make you sad but the metis registry is under the control of the department of aboriginal affairs now
Check this out
Qweebekers want to be Metis as soon as the Metis get a couple of right! Typical white people. And this guy looks as far from native as anyone as I’ve ever see !
This is not new. My roots are metis from Atlantic Canada and Quebec. To say our neechie blood was not spilled on this land for many milleniums would be a lie.
You are also white
Looks have nothing to do with being Métis. It’s in the blood and the generations going back to our ancestors. We’re not asking for property rights only other rights given to other Metis nations. We want to be recognized for what we are!
With all the respect you give for Quebec metis I think you forgot a lot of your history. First when Riel wanted to take fort Garry he had to wait for the ”voyageurs” then he was able to for a 400 metis army with them .After he went to fort Garry and took it without any fight as our ancestors were there to create the army, This was November 1869 then he formed his first government of what is so called now Manitoba. The fact that the ” voyageurs ” were moving and sometimes were signing contract to stay there for winter make them choose to have a second and a third wife because they were adapted to the life there. Some of my family were here at fort Maurepas and fort Edmonton as early as 1750.Some of my family stayed in the west but some came back after Riels was hanged . My grand father was born North Dakota and the family was already metis before they were in the west .After seeing their Indians friends and metis chief hanged and also struggling for living with child’s they decided to come back in Quebec in 1887. Some of my family stayed in Dakota and some came back to Canada and others search for safe places for their family.Some were at milichimakinak, others went Oregon others went at saint-Paul of the metis (south Edmonton). Some are recognised as Indians and my family lived on a reserve which they were suddenly forced to quit due to an internal fight and rules against native women. Well sir I think that you guys from west sometimes speak faster then you think ? Now take a rest and think and I wish you will think faster then you talk at the very next time my friend ! I never lost my language and can manage a little in English Italian and Russian this due to my genes. Je suis Métis et je parle le Français.Have a very nice day !
Dear Mr. Marois
Excellent comment Very often we forget oral tradition, Oral tradition is a very important part of our Metis history Very often peoples whom claim to be Professor expert on Metis history never been expose to oral history. They are contented with using their influence to mis-informing the peoples. I was invited few time in university to share knowledge at a conference of Higher learning They call me EXPERT I did not like it made me forget who I am Just a Metis that like to learn from my folks
Thanks again for you comments
Rock
Je suis d’accord avec vous Mr. Marois et beaucoup d’autres dans ces reply’s. Il y a des gents de l’Ouest qui oublient leur histoire du Canada sur les Indiens et Métis. Les Métis ont commencé dans l’Est du Pays (Canada maintenant) par les voyageurs de la traite des fourures. Les Métis de L’Ouest sont venu de l’Est, ils n’ont pas été parachuté dans l’Ouest du ciel. Soyez plus réaliste et retournez à l’école pour apprendre votre histoire du Canada (je parle pour les supposéments professeurs d’universités). Ce sont les gouvernements fédéral et provincial qui ont voulu détruire les autochtones et regardez aujourd’hui, ils gagnent leur cause à la Cour Suprême du Canada. Mais notre gouvernement fédéral doive faire les réconciliations avec les Métis de L’Est comme ils l’ ont fait avec ceux de l’Ouest. Ce qui est bon pour un est bon pour tous les Métis. Alors Mr. J. Trudeau et Mme C. Bennett n’attendez pas au printemps faite le des maintenant vos réconciliations et accords avec nous les Métis de l’Est et montrez le aussi avec ceux du Québec, vous avez faite une promesse électoral alors respectez là. La province du Québec fait parti du Canada alors ils doivent respecté les Lois fédéral du Parlement du Canada comme notre Loi constitutionnelle de 1982 Article 35 et 15. Si non, ils sont des contrevenants à une ” Désobéissance à une loi ” sous article 126 (1,2) du code criminel qui est une désobéissance à une Loi fédéral et notre Charte Canadienne des droits et liberté est une Loi fédéral du Parlement du Canada. C’est pour ainsi dire respectez les Lois du pays le Canada. Est-ce que vous avez compris le message le gouvernement provincial du Québec. Respectez vos Métis et Indiens non statués.
Quebecquers were Metis 200 years before any white man ever went west….. it is the people of the west who took that name from the eastern Metis. Gaudry is the worst idiot and racist of the bunch along with a few others who still think that the earth is flat
Oh Karole Beckett. What a gross comment – that betrays how little you actually understand about Metis people and Metisness – and racism for that matter. It is RICH that a white woman throws out accusations of racism with nary a clue as to how problematic it is. How tired.
So prove that claim… Reg Le Claire
So do all the Metis who are were in this interview. Your attitude that one has to look a certain way is very a white thing to do.
More info needed on this article -?
Dear Naomi
Thank you very much for taking the time for your comment It is absolutely true that more info is needed as it is an issue that is complex as well been there for quite a while, In the most recent development dates from the constitutional conference on section 25 and 35 of the constitution. held from 1984 to 1987. At the time all aboriginal leaders gathered and tried to figure out the approach to deal with those articles that would guaranty some rights, A group of Metis from the prairie decided to break rank from the main group. The Metis in the east choose to remain with the Native council of Canada in spirit of solidarity. This group ever since pull their agenda at the expenses of the majority of Metis in Canada. They represent only few peoples very few and operate in a fashion that is very far from democratic.
I encourage you to seek the truth
Thanks Rocky