Moving toward Metis 'Recognition' -- Article 5

EDITOR'S NOTE: This is the fifth article in a periodic series looking at the movement toward international recognition of the Metis (mixed blood) People. This article is a commentary by Michael Rondot. If you have not yet read Part 1 of "Who are We?, we recommend you do so prior to reading Part 2.

Who are We? Part 2

Which brings us back to the original question - "Who are we?" The answer, it seems, depends upon whom you ask.

* According to the 'new' tribal powers that be, the Metis are wannabes.

Many, if not most, are not. They are easy to spot, if one only looks. They are the ones whose words and deeds are in accordance with traditional tribal values. Their day-to-day lives reflect a respect for both the sacred and the mundane, most often without any form of education in the specific culture of a tribe. They are guided by their own hearts and spirits, one of the foundational elements found in all traditional tribal cultures.

On the other hand, some are. There are those out there who are looking to make a buck or two or thousands by exploiting the native culture. Even if the culture they teach is a bunch of made up mumbo jumbo or use sacred teachings, tools, and materials in false, self-serving ways. Worse yet are enrolled tribal members who, relying solely on their age as a basis for the title, are self-proclaimed 'Elders' busily selling out their own culture for personal gain, and all the while screaming about wannabes --- failing to separate those that are following a true course from the fakes because both are eating into their profits.

For the real wannabes, the Metis are a good cover --- it is hard to prove a negative, so it is difficult if not impossible to prove that they are not tribally descended. On the other hand, there are the large numbers of true Metis breeds who can not positively 'prove' their lineage because of sealed adoption records, inaccurate rolls, hidden family histories, etc. There are too many tribal officials working to prevent links to be established that might result in new tribal members that may take away some of the casino profits from the 'select few.' So they actively block any means by which long hidden truths may emerge.

* According to Washington, and therefore to most of the world, in the U.S. at least, we do not exist, period.

* According to some Metis, we are the people that own themselves, and we do. This is a truth in common for all people in all time. Ultimately, as human beings we must all decide who we are, what we believe in, and what courses of action we are going to take. Another make take another hostage or enslave the body of another, but they can not take or enslave that part of us that truly makes us what we are, unless we agree to allow it.

According to some Metis, we are a truly separate and distinct native people --- and in many ways we are. Having been rejected on all sides by the various cultures of our ancestors, we pretty much have had no choice but to continue to exist as we have found ourselves --- culturally alone. BUT, make no mistake about it --- we ARE the sum of the cultural parts of our origins. The roots of every cultural aspect of the Metis can be found in one or more of the cultures of our original ancestors.

The solutions to the dilemmas posed by the above views:

• Tribes need to return to their cultural roots ... and in doing so, bring home their "Lost Birds." The pretenders will weed themselves out. "By their words and deeds, the truth will become self-evident." If the tribal nations will not do so, the Metis need to:
• be recognized as being what they have been forced to evolve into, an indigenous People who are a Living Bridge between cultures;
• be given the rights and privileges that accompany that recognition, the freedom to culturally be who and what they are; and,
• accept all of the responsibilities that accompany it, including, but not limited to, self-policing against the intrusion of pretenders; maintaining respect and dignity for traditional culture (especially in regards to sacred objects, materials, and spiritual rites, rituals, and ceremonies); and in always remaining true to our roots and origins, never forgetting where we came from, and always seeking the best for the seventh generation after us.

In the final analysis, the answer to the question "Who are we? is in fact so simple, it has been overlooked. We are! The details will, as with all other things on this planet, continue to change over time.