Who are these people who call themselves The Forgotten People?

The first exploration of the new world (North America) occurred in the 14th and 15th centuries when the Norse tried settling in Newfoundland. In later centuries explorers returned to their homelands reporting stories of blue eyed Indians. The distinctive nation and culture of the Metis solidified later in the history of North America ... after the first wave of explorers returned with stories of the untold wealth of the new land and claimed the territory for their respective monarchs and countries; and settlement of North America by Europeans was begun.

The word "METIS" comes from the Latin miscere, meaning "to mix"; and was used originally to describe the children of Indian mothers and European fathers. Another term for the Metis is derived from the Ojibwa (Indians) word wissakodewinmi, which means "half-burnt woodsmen", describing their lighter complexion in comparison to that of full-blood Indians. The French picked up the translation and often used the term Bois Brule, or "burnt-wood" for the Metis. They were also called by various other names including: Country-born, Black Scots, Métis anglaise, The Flower Bead Work People, The Buffalo People, Breeds and Half-breeds. One consistent characteristic that describes the Metis is implicit in the name the Cree gave them o-tee-paym-soo-wuk, which means "their own boss" or "people who own themselves".

The Metis call themselves "The Forgotten People".

The Metis are a mixed blood people, the joining of two worlds ... the old world (Europeans) and the new world (North American Indians) ... creating a totally new nation or race of people. There is a criteria necessary to be recognized as a distinct nation of people ... from food, clothing, flag, history, political movement. All the criteria and more were met by the Metis people long before the creation of Canada and the United States. However, historic records show that the Metis were often overlooked, exploited, exterminated or marginalized out of their rights. Shunned and ostracized by both the Indians and Whites, the Metis people were distinct in their behaviour, their attitudes and their choice of defining themselves. A continuity of who a Metis person was showed itself long before they or Canada were organized into political forces. North American history is rich with the involvement of Metis People (particularly Canada) and yet to this day, the Metis are without a land base and are recognized in principle only by just the Canadian Government. Without the Metis, Canada would look much different than it does today.

Historically, the Metis shared the entirety of the Canadian Northwest running from the northern forests of Newfoundland, Quebec and Ontario; throughout the present day Prairie provinces and into British Columbia; from below the United States/Canada border as far south as Louisiana; as far west as the Oregon Territory and well into the current day Northwest Territories. They existed with the other Indigenous People long before either Canada or the United States were organized into countries. The Metis share a claim to Aboriginal Title with many Indian Nations in Canada and the United States. That claim is re-affirmed in Canada through the Manitoba Act of 1870; the Dominion Lands Act; and the Canada Act of 1982. Although the Canadian Government's contempt of the rights of the Metis Nation were demonstrated in 1870 and 1885 in a manner paralleled by events occurring today in Palestine, Kuwait and South Africa; those rights continue to exist as affirmed and defined by recent Supreme Court of Canada decisions. (Map of range.)

The Metis should be recognized as Canada's Aboriginal people: they are the only nation of Aboriginal people indigenous to the formation of Canada and are the true spirit of Canada and a huge source of Canadian identity. Other Aboriginal Nations migrated to North America and are not indigenous, but previous owners of the land of North America. The Metis are a creation of the history of North American. They came into being from the clash and mixing of two distinct cultures when the New World came into being. The Metis nation was instrumental in the formation of Canada and deserves special recognition for their huge contribution to the evolvement of our wonderful country. The recognition of mixed blood people is not unknown in our world. The Scandinavian countries long ago recognized the importance and involvement of their mixed blood people: The Sami.

Metis culture is as distinct a culture as any others found in the world. Some of the interesting things the Metis contributed to our world and that continue to be a part of the Canadian culture and identity are listed on my Interesting facts page.

The Metis' struggle for recognition and protection of their rights is the history of Canada. Every phase of Canadian history touched upon the Metis and in turn the Metis left their mark on most major historical events:

• the rivalry between France and Britain for mastery of the continent,
• the struggle of the Catholic Church for a place in a Protestant country,
• the battle between rival groups for dominance of the fur trade in Western Canada,
• the 1870 and 1885 rebellions and growth of settlement in the Prairie Provinces,
• the formation of the Province of Manitoba,
• the formation of the world famous Royal Canadian Mounted Police
• arising again during the devastating years of the Great Depression on the Canadian Prairies
• and the campaign for a new constitution in the 1980's.

The Metis were the trail-blazers who led explorers, missionaries and traders westward and inland. They acted as middlemen between advancing European settlement and the Indian bands. They acted as interpreters when treaties with Indians were negotiated. They brought the Province of Manitoba into being. Fought against the annexation of the North West Territories to the United States. All of these contributions have often been ignored. Today, all the Metis seek is restitution and the recognition due to them for their role in building this nation.

I have tried to write a chronological exploration of the formation of the Metis Nation in the following pages and have tried to simplify it as much as possible, without losing the important impact the Metis had on Canada's evolvement.

So who are these Forgotten People?