1. METIS AND NON-STATUS PEOPLE IN BRITISH COLUMBIA Chapter 11

2. CHILDREN OF CONTACT Non-status and Metis are direct result of contact between First Nations and Europeans o 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 population o 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

3. “ Non-Status Indians ” under definition of Indian Act o 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

4. some regions of Canada, mixed cultures blended o tracing Metis roots to early colonial days a distinct Aboriginal group o controversial within group o 1996 Report of the Royal Commission discusses Metis identity  two key features – ancestry and culture  important to Metis community – self-identification and community acceptance

5. 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 contribution o intermediaries between groups o interpreters and guides o provided food for forts

6. distinct communities in prairies o unique language – Michif *  blend of languages o unique lifestyle – music, skills and knowledge of land and resources o social culture – woven sashes as emblems o economy  pemmican as central – trade  farming o political system  democratic  elected buffalo councils Red River Settlement started by HBC and Selkirk in 1811 o 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

7. 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 1870 o Riel moved/exiled to US o Metis rights not honoured by government  moved on to Saskatchewan  buffalo gone, people starving, government not doing anything

8. Northwest Rebellion 1885 o Riel back o rebellion focused northwest Saskatchewan o Riel arrested and hanged o Government ’ s responsibility of the rebellion?  indifference and contempt of the First Nations and Metis  not honouring treaties or responsibilities towards First Nations/Metis

9. THE LONG STRUGGLE FOR RECOGNITION after 1885, Metis families migrated west into BC o founded Kelly Lake, only Metis community in BC o 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 acknowledgement o overt racism had most keeping Aboriginal heritage a secret  the “lost generation” who hid their identity

10. drive to organize for political action in 1968 o 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 started o both dominant voices of Aboriginal politics in BC o held conventions at same time o 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

11. UNITED NATIVE NATIONS SOCIETY motto “Working Together for Our Children” o organized in local chapters throughout BC o locals managed independently o work with  members on and off reserve  local bands and tribal councils  friendship centres  local Aboriginal organizations and Metis locals

12. undertaken important initiatives to improve conditions o provided housing through BC Native Housing Corp.  also assist in home improvements and renos o Reunification Program  regain contact with families (after adoption and foster care) o Nu-Sayla (My Vision) training program  career planning and job search

13. ORGANIZING THE METIS recognized as distinct Aboriginal people in Constitution Act 1982 o still did not define Metis o 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 Metis o acts as political representative to governments and funding agencies

14. after 1982, organized work to establish locals in communities and build awareness of Metis issues o many people rediscovered Metis identity o able to connect with others like them  renewed sense of identity and self-pride o able to register as Metis  main criteria considered 1.self identification 2.community acceptance 3.genealogical proof of Aboriginal ancestors seeking Metis rights 1. land and resource  land base in Prairies or compensation for land once owned 2.self-governing  greater control over own lives within Cdn society o 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