The U.S. Metis Alliance Welcomes You!

Metis is a French word meaning "mixed-blood," "half-breed" or "mongrel." The term has been used for hundreds of years by persons whose ancestry includes the indigenous peoples of the Western Hemisphere and Europeans. In the area now known as the United States, mixed-bloods were most often called half-breeds. In the area of Canada and south along the fur trading routes, the French word Metis gained prominence. Many people of mixed aboriginal and European blood south of the Canadian/U.S. border adopted the term as a means of self-identification that has less "negative" undertones than the term "breed." Metis is most often pronounced "may-TEE."

Many of the Metis and Mestizo in the United States have looked to the north at the changes in Canada as that nation takes the needed steps to formally recognize the existance of the Metis in that country. To the south, In Mexico and most Latin American countries, the Metis have been recognized for hundreds of years, (i.e. the term Mexican originally referred to the offspring of Spanish men and native women.) Although the term "Mexican" is appropriately applied to anyone with citizenship in that country, those people of mixed ancestry are more properly identified by the term "mestizo" which can be literally translated as Metis.

The Southern Metis, those people, groups and nations in the United States and below the Canadian border who identify themselves in terms of their mixed-blood ancestry, have begun to band together to share the history of their unique cultures and to prepare a path for future generations to follow as they look to their own ancestry.

These Metis have formed the U.S. Metis Alliance (USMA). The USMA hopes to provide accurate information regarding Metis history --- possibly your history as well. We recommend you review our history page for our view on the history of mixed-blood aboriginals. If your Metis organization would be interested in participating in this alliance, please contact the webmaster and someone will be in touch with you as soon as possible.

Membership change results in the loss of one charter member.