Genocide In Canada

Beautiful!

Everything I Need To Know I Learned From Gabriel Dumont

1. Stay loyal to your people.
2. Help those who cannot help themselves.
3. Always face your enemies.
4. Take action.
5. Live life to the fullest.
6. Work hard when you need to, play hard when you can.
7. Lead when it's time to lead.
8. Follow when it's time to follow.
9. Sometimes you have to fight.
10. Sometimes you have to flee.
11. If you stray, you must eventually return to your roots.
12. Live with courage and honour.

For Those Who May Not Know

Who are the Métis?

The Métis are a distinct nation of Canada’s Aboriginal Peoples born of a mixture of European and native bloodlines. The Métis are primarily located on the Prairies but also live in Ontario, British Columbia and the Northwest Territories. Census data estimate that approximately 200,000 individuals continue to self-identify with the historic Métis Nation today.

Originally, “Métis” was used to describe the children of native women and French fur traders. As the fur trade expanded, English, Scandinavian and Irish bloodlines also became part of the Métis nation.

During the early history of Métis settlements, the Métis acted as intermediaries between European and Indian cultures. Working as interpreters, guides and mediators for forts and trading companies, they came to establish distinct settlements across the northern Prairie provinces. Louis Riel, seen by many as the founder of Manitoba, was a Métis born in the Red River Settlement, located near present-day Winnipeg.

Since Manitoba became part of Confederation in 1870, negotiated by a Métis leader, the Métis have continued to endure more than 100 years of struggle for recognition as a legally distinct nation. It wasn’t until the Constitution Act of 1982 that they were recognized, along with Indian and Inuit, as one of the three Aboriginal Peoples of Canada.

Metis me?

This blog has been along time coming. I have been trying to come up with an interesting premise for the writings that will appear here. I have finally settled on 'Honest Stream Of Consciousness'.
As this is my first post I will try to be brief and leave some of the more in depth musings I have for another time.
I am 43 years old and did not know I was Metis until the day of my father's funeral two and a half years ago. Since that pivotal moment I have been on journey of discovery. Sometimes rushing headlong into new worlds and at other times being reluctantly dragged along behind some of the more unsavory aspects of being aboriginal in Canada.
In this space over the coming weeks and months I hope to inspire, entertain, infuriate and generally make a record of the things I discover along the path. I will share personal experiences, discuss politics relating to aboriginal issues, learn and share Metis culture (Michif IS HARD!) and hopefully begin to build a community of Metis voices around these subjects.
For now, I am the Bladerunner and I am Metis. Tanshi!