Métis people in Canada Métis

the specific meaning of métis in canada varies depending on context. canadian encyclopedia indicates there no complete consensus on definition of métis in canada. uses following definition:

it important define specific meanings term used in discussion, while cautioning writers past , present have not achieved consensus on matter. written small m, métis old french word meaning mixed , , used here in general sense people of dual indian-white ancestry. capitalized, métis used not universally accepted generic term persons of biracial descent. may variously refer distinctive socio cultural heritage, means of ethnic self-identification, , political , legal category, more or less narrowly defined.

history of métis in canada

the métis people s history begins in 17th century unions of various french colonists, typically trappers , traders, , algonquian women, including not limited mi kmaq, algonquin, ojibwe, , cree peoples. these unions began in east, extending atlantic coast great lakes. fur trade , colonial development drew french voyageurs , coureurs de bois west, along later hudson s bay company employees. wintering partners of fur trading companies typically took country wives months away eastern cities.

after fall of new france in 1763, many métis populations continued establish themselves, specializing in fur trade , related hunting. served interpreters fluent in both indigenous , european languages. english , scottish traders married indigenous women, daughters of high-ranking chiefs, forming elite mixed society. eighteenth century ended, fur trade moved westwards plains. in 1812, cuthbert grant led battle in pemmican war, flying métis flag. many treaties throughout canada being negotiated in nineteenth century, including in ontario robinson–huron treaty. in 1870 métis @ red river, led louis riel, resisted colonial efforts of canada, , negotiated entry canada province of manitoba promises protect rights. in 1885, métis resisting canadian colonialism northwest rebellion. métis defeated , riel hanged traitor canada, role in history controversial.

métis in western provinces faced scrip after 1885, , many considered road allowance people . racism towards métis peoples in west large part of late nineteenth , twentieth centuries. in east, many métis continued live lifestyles , considered invisible.

in 1982, métis included indigenous people in canadian constitution. defined ethnic group own culture, distinct first nations , inuit peoples. métis peoples have formed variety of political organizations promote interests, including métis national council (mnc), canadian métis council (cmc), métis federation of canada (mfc) , métis nation of canada name few.

in 2003, r. v. powley 2003 scc 43 ruled family of métis people in ontario had right hunt moose part of métis aboriginal rights. case funded métis nation of ontario (mno), provincial affiliate of mnc. case established métis history in ontario, long debated many people. case established powley test, helps define métis, , therefore eligible rights aboriginal person.

on april 14, 2016, supreme court in daniels v canada (indian affairs , northern development) 2016 scc 12 reached landmark decision giving full indigenous rights approximately 700,000 métis.