Metis Struggle for Self Identification
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One of the most contentious issues in Canadas history is that of the Metis. Some people feel this unique group of people does not deserve any sort of recognition, whereas others believe their unique history and culture is something to be recognized and cherished. The history of the Metis people is filled with struggle; not only struggles against other powers, but also a struggle for self-identification. Despite strong opposition, the Metis people of Canada have matured as a political force and have taken great strides towards being recognized as a unique people.
The word Metis is a French word that means: “mixed race”. Today it is often used for anyone who has European Ð- Indian heritage, but when the colonies of Canada were being formed Metis had a specific meaning. The roots for this hybrid race came from French Ð- Indian ancestry. It did not matter how much of each you had in you, as long as there was some of each. At the time, the Metis seemed to be superior in comparison to the individual Indian or Frenchman, because they appeared to possess certain marks of superiority over both parent types or strains . This meant they had all of the good characteristics from each group and left the bad ones behind.
The history of the Metis started with the European colonization of North America. With the arrival of the West European powers, fraternization and trade began between the European settlers and the many First Nations peoples throughout Canada. The French were the first foreign power to realize the potential benefits of allying with the First Nations peoples. Consequently, the French explorer, Samuel de Champlain, proposed a union of the French and First Nations . Champlains, and therefore Frances, goal was to create a mixed-blood race to populate the continent and form a new, thriving colony for France . The offspring of these unions did not live the life Champlain envisioned; instead they often lived exclusively with one group or another. It was not until the years when fur trading became a lucrative, thriving business that children of mixed descent began to realize their own unique place in the world.
When these times arose, these children were the envy of most because they were not only bilingual and bicultural , but they also knew the lifestyles of both the white man and the Indian. These Metis children were also important because with the help of Indian savvy and white technology became a dominant force in the opening of the Canadian West . The most sought after reason for the envy was because of the jobs they were offered. If they were able to read and write, they were in huge demand at one of the trading companies. Some would follow in their fathers footsteps and become trappers and traders, a few Metis would even become chiefs of Indian tribes , because of their knowledge of the white man.
The circumstances that existed at this time encouraged the Metis people to begin to formulate their own identity. In the early parts of the 17th century, France created the Voyageur system . Voyageurs were labourers who would transport trade goods between First Nations peoples and the French trading posts . They functioned under very strict French and Church law. Eventually, several European and Metis individuals and groups began to trade without the French states approval. These traders were called couriers de bois and were vilified by both France and the Church . Since the couriers de bois acted as free agents, France, and later England, could not profit from transactions made by the couriers. To counteract the loss in potential revenue, strict measures were created to prevent the couriers de bois from doing any business. These strict measures were called the “conge” system, this was a licensing system where by not more than seventy-five traders would go to the west each year . Many traders were arrested, and often, were saved only because of strong ties with their First Nations allies. Often these couriers de bois would take First Nations wives, and so the Metis population began to grow.
In the year 1768, the Northwest Company was founded. This new trading company was primarily made up of French Canadians and its creation was a direct threat to the Hudsons Bay Company, which held an absolute monopoly on the fur trade. In the middle of this conflict were the Metis, who held important positions as traders, labourers and clerks within both trading companies. By the end of the 18th century, many Metis people had begun to congregate around the trading posts at Red River . Many of the clerks working for either trading company were Metis and so the conflict grew in significance. Eventually the harsh methods of the Hudsons Bay Company caused the Metis to become disillusioned and so many joined with the Northwest Company.
With increase in trade activity around the red river valley, there was an increased need for transportation other than the waterways. The ox and cart had been used for many years but the Metis re-vamped this idea by having the first cart tied to the right hand rear of the second Ox , and so on. The driver would be able to be in charge of up to five Ox and cart at the same time . This new version of an old idea was called the Red River Cart”. It allowed the Metis to travel with a larger amount of goods and become more efficient because of the reduced risk of the carts getting stuck due to five cart tracks being set instead of one track, which had been done previously.
The conflict between the two companies came to a head when the Hudsons Bay Company devised a strategy to eliminate its rival. The company claimed it had a legal right to the Red River area. It granted the land to Thomas Scott, Fifth Earl of Scotland, and several hundred European settlers . The Hudsons Bay Company expected these settlers to help police the Metis population that had become involved with, and loyal to, the Northwest Company. As soon as the land transfer took place, the settlers immediately came into conflict with the First Nations and Metis people. They claimed One Hundred and Sixteen Thousand square miles of land that the Metis had used for hunting and trapping . Eventually, the conflict between the two companies was halted as the British government, tired of the lawless struggle, forced the companies to merge in 1821 .
In 1816, the Governor of the European Red River settlement, Semple, gathered a group of men together to enforce his rule and to prevent the Metis from supplying Pemmican to the surrounding forts. The sale of Pemmican had become a major economic tool for the Metis to earn a living . Semple, backed by the Hudsons Bay Company, made the Pemmican Proclamation in 1814 that outlawed the sale of Pemmican by the Metis . At the Seven Oaks ravine, Semple and his band of policemen,