METIS AND NON-STATUS PEOPLE IN BRITISH COLUMBIA

METIS AND NON-STATUS PEOPLE IN BRITISH COLUMBIA

Chapter 11

CHILDREN OF CONTACT• Non-status and Metis are direct result of

contact between First Nations and Europeanso marriages between Aboriginal women

and non-Aboriginal men formed alliances companionship and domestic skills married in the “custom of the

country” referred to as “country

marriages”• marriages created new and significant

segment of populationo feet in both worlds

knowledge and skills of separate cultures

o later generations marginalized and invisible

“half-breed” term of shame and derision

some accepted into First Nations culture, some rejected by both worlds

• “Non-Status Indians” under definition of Indian Acto First Nations women marrying non-Aboriginal men would lose “Status” and denied rights and benefits

Officially – Indians who were not registered under the Indian Act still considered First Nations but without the benefits

o lost status through parents/grandparents voluntary or involuntary enfranchisement

people with university degrees were automatically enfranchised – lost status some restoration of status through Bill C-31

• some regions of Canada, mixed cultures blendedo tracing Metis roots to early colonial days

• a distinct Aboriginal groupo controversial within groupo 1996 Report of the Royal Commission discusses Metis identity

two key features – ancestry and culture important to Metis community – self-identification and community acceptance

ROOTS OF A METIS NATION• roots Metis culture in fur trade

o Scottish and French traders married First Nations women

o cultural heritage a mix of customs especially influenced by French and First Nations

• during fur trade made an important contributiono intermediaries between

groupso interpreters and guideso provided food for forts

• distinct communities in prairieso unique language – Michif *

blend of languageso unique lifestyle – music, skills and knowledge of land and resourceso social culture – woven sashes as emblemso economy

pemmican as central – trade farming

o political system democraticelected buffalo councils

• Red River Settlement started by HBC and Selkirk in 1811o organized and demanded rights to land when economic actions were taken against export of pemmican

Pemmican Wars Battle of Seven Oaks 1816

unifying event for Metis Nation

RIEL AND THE NORTHWEST REBELLION

• HBC sold land to Canada in 1869 – Metis and First Nations not consulted

• Red River Rebellion led to making of Manitoba and protecting Metis land rights 1870o Riel moved/exiled to USo Metis rights not honoured by

government moved on to

Saskatchewan buffalo gone, people

starving, government not doing anything

• Northwest Rebellion 1885o Riel backo rebellion focused northwest Saskatchewano Riel arrested and hangedo Government’s responsibility of the rebellion?

indifference and contempt of the First Nations and Metis not honouring treaties or responsibilities towards First Nations/Metis

THE LONG STRUGGLE FOR RECOGNITION

• after 1885, Metis families migrated west into BCo founded Kelly Lake, only

Metis community in BCo after WWII, thousands of

Metis from Prairies into BC faced similar social and

economic conditions as indigenous Non-Status people in BC

• Metis and Non-Status coped with lack of acknowledgemento overt racism had most

keeping Aboriginal heritage a secret

the “lost generation” who hid their identity

• drive to organize for political action in 1968o created British Columbia Association of Non-Status Indians (BCANSI)

main goal to improve opportunities for Non-Status and Metis in BC increasing access to education through efforts of H.A. “Butch” Smitheran

o Union of British Columbia Indian Chiefs startedo both dominant voices of Aboriginal politics in BCo held conventions at same timeo both received funding from BC’s First Citizens’ Fund

fund to assist Aboriginal groups• mid-1970s BCANSI evolved to unite status and non-status people

o name change to United Native Nations in 1976• Congress of Aboriginal Peoples

o acts as advocate for Metis and Non-Status people

UNITED NATIVE NATIONS SOCIETY• motto “Working Together for

Our Children”o organized in local chapters

throughout BCo locals managed

independently o work with

members on and off reserve

local bands and tribal councils

friendship centres local Aboriginal

organizations and Metis locals

• undertaken important initiatives to improve conditionso provided housing through BC Native Housing Corp.

also assist in home improvements and renoso Reunification Program

regain contact with families (after adoption and foster care)o Nu-Sayla (My Vision) training program

career planning and job search

ORGANIZING THE METIS• recognized as distinct Aboriginal

people in Constitution Act 1982o still did not define Metiso discussions on definition

controversial• Metis National Council 1983

o recognized as national representation of Metis

o represents 5 provincial groups

• Metis Provincial Council of British Columbia (MPCBC)o elected governing

organization for Metiso acts as political

representative to governments and funding agencies

• after 1982, organized work to establish locals in communities and build awareness of Metis issues

o many people rediscovered Metis identityo able to connect with others like them

renewed sense of identity and self-prideo able to register as Metis

main criteria considered1. self identification2. community acceptance3. genealogical proof of Aboriginal ancestors

• seeking Metis rights1. land and resource

land base in Prairies or compensation for land once owned2. self-governing

greater control over own lives within Cdn societyo meeting 2002 of Metis National Council led to national definition of Metis

democratic rights – voting for Council unified voice in political, economic, social and cultural realms