WHO OR WHAT IS A METIS?

The question of who or what is a metis is the $1,440,000 question.

A lot has been said of the Metis and even put on paper through dealing with the foreign governments. These definitions serve some purpose yet lack the indigenous origins and boundaries of self definition from which all Metis must stem. Our original families are the only true source of boundaries from which we can properly form a definition.

My attempt here is to cut through the political fiduciary based definitions used for dealing with government agencies and create an indigenous family based definition. This may not please everyone yet what I may also add may surprise many Metis and other interested people.

*Metis definition*

A Metis is a blood descendant of the original Indigenous Sovereign families of Turtle Island and a blood descendant of the original allied families.

Prior to 1817 our families were descended from and united as allies to the Indigenous Sovereign Families under the identifying names such as Bois Brule, Coureur de Bois, Otipemisiwak, The Free people, Metis, Voyageur, Norwesters, Great Plains Michif, Michif speakers, Louisianna Metis, Acadians, Cajuns, Creoles, the flower bead people, half breeds, breeds and others. Following 1817 our families united as the Metis Nation with a blue flag and white infinity symbol.

All who desire to identify as a member of the Metis Nation may do so from direct Metis descent or from allied family descent. Allied families include the Sovereign Indigenous Nations - refered to alternately as North American Indians, South American Indians, Native Americans, Natives, Aboriginals etc. and families related by kinship to the original allied families.

The original allied families are those families not originally from the region of Turtle Island (Greater North and South America ) who within the last millenium joined their families as allies with the families of the Sovereign Indigenous Nations and who identify as being of Metis descent.

Following the definition and living within indigenous traditions places the Metis in a very responsible position. As allies to our families of origin we hold a reciprocal responsibility to help and support them as family. When we are in our original family territories our traditions bind us to deal honourably with our extended family and work with them as allies. As such we do not own the land - we are responsible to the land and to the peoples (four leggeds and two) within the territories we choose to reside. We hold sovereign indigenous title to the shared territory in joint responsibility with our cousins. Only by working together as joint sovereigns with all of our cousins do we keep within our traditions.

Defining who or what our original families are is an additional question I put forward here. The understanding of the origins of sovereignty in the other lands of origin are also of importance to the Metis. Many of the branches of our family stem from certain Norman, French, Celtic, Danish, Spanish, Italian and other families who hold inalienable sovereign rights in their own lands of origin. As Metis we inherit this sovereignty and responsibility to the other lands of the world. As such we are truly responsible for the health of the world on both sides of the ocean.

What we choose to do with our responsibilities is up to each of us and every action we take affects all of us and our future descendants. Walking together peacefully with our allied families is the one sure way we can guarantee a future world based on peace, love and friendship for our children to grow within. Balancing what we do in this world with the women of our nation is the true indigenous way. When our women are strong and sit in the council behind the men who must consider our impact on the world and how our children will look on what we have done, is when we truly become Metis and sovereign in the land.

If families have questions please forward them to My Two Beads Worth. Questions for Martini Carriere

Respectfully

Martin Carriere
Red River/Acadian Metis

For further reading and study:

Canadian Metis

If you are interested in other viewpoints visit:

Atlantic Conference