The 1982 Canadian Constitution recognizes the Aboriginal and treaty rights of three Aboriginal groups in Canada: First Nations, Inuit and Métis. The latter term is confusing because it refers to both the historic Métis Nation in the West and to communities of mixed European and Aboriginal origin in Canada.
In the Constitution, it refers to the descendants of the French and Scottish coureurs des bois who settled in the Canadian northwest for the fur trade, mainly in Manitoba. They are called the Red River Métis. Métis communities of mixed origin are recognized in Ontario, Newfoundland Labrador and the western provinces, but not in Quebec…
Although not recognized as a nation by the provincial government, the Métis of Quebec are actively involved in the renewal of traditions and play an important role in the history of the First Nations. Currently, they represent 587,545 Canadian citizens according to the 2016 census, a number that has been growing since the 1985 amendments to the Indian Act and those passed with Bill S3 that will end gender discrimination in 2019. By restoring rights to non-status women as well as their children, a large number of Métis people have been legally recognized.
This is a sensitive issue that still causes much disagreement given the vague definition of Métis identity in the terms of the Constitution and the blood criteria required. While the self-proclamation of some as “non-status” may seem inappropriate, emphasized by a distant link to Aboriginal ancestors sometimes dating back to the 17th century, it is the lifestyle and beliefs of Métis people steeped in First Nations culture that make the difference.
“Identity? It’s the original language that makes the native and the respect of the traditions. “We, in the pow wow, recognize them by their dance and the language of the nation they are supposed to know,” says Gilles Moar, “not the color of the skin.” There are exceptions, however, with the loss of Aboriginal languages increasing in many communities. Despite the spirit of tolerance that marks pow wows, the inclusive discourse is not always unanimous, and status fraud by dancers, when found, is suppressed by the masters of ceremony.
Métis organizations in Canada and the United States adopted the flag symbolizing an “infinity sign” on a blue or red background, the colors of the North West Company.