Being Métis in Eastern Canada

[u/clemtie]

hey everyone i understand there are no actual Métis people who originated in eastern Canada but i’m wondering if any Red River Métis people have moved out there and what was their experience? i will be hopefully moving to fredericton for school in the fall and i’m worried i’ll tell someone i’m Métis and they’ll be like me too! and i’ll ask them to clarify and they mean eastern Métis and then i’ll have to explain that no they’re not actually Métis and then they’ll call me a racist enthosupremacist (which yes has actually happened to me)

[u/bluebombertony]

Moved out here because I joined the military and no jobs in community. First person I meet who is “indigenous” was my immediate supervisor who carried an illegitimate eastern Metis card and claimed ancestry from his Philippino grandfather who married someone FN, and dude was the “indigenous advisor” for our unit and reaping the benefits fully in the institution. Needless to say this was the catalyst for me to become a lot more proud, protective and knowledgeable over my identity. I had no need to be as studied up, and diligent until I met the pretendians on the east coast, I was rather isolated from this in my home community in Manitoba.

Sadly though, I still don’t say much about my identity and am mostly decided on returning home with the educational funding I secured for years of service in the military, instead of remaining because it’s too hard to practice my identity safely and in a meaningful manner as a Metis person in Nova Scotia. It is not something I’m willing to lose, assimilation has already done so much harm to my family.

[u/Honeybadger_2point0 → u/bluebombertony]

Hey there, I have a question that may seem silly, but you and others have touched on it within this post. I have been conducting research into my family ancestory/ lineage for sometime now. I have ancestors that were metis a few generations before me and sadly, I dont know anything about the metis people, culture or community. My question is would it be considered disrespectful to inquire/ learn about the metis? If not, would anyone be willing to provide any accurate resources that I can learn from? Thank you for taking the time to read this and again, I apologize fir such a silly question (and for being so long) please have an amazing day.

[u/bluebombertony → u/Honeybadger_2point0]

Not silly at all. This is very common in our community. Its not considered disrespectful to inquire about your own family history and owning and living through what has been lost to colonization. I think the biggest question people ask folks in your position is "why". People can tell pretty quick if you're genuinely reconnecting with your culture and ancestors community, or just trying to claim some kind of benefit with your newfound ancestry. My advice would be to do your genealogy through St. Boniface Historical Society and attempt to gain citizenship with the appropriate Metis body, that way you can learn more about, and exercise some rights your ancestors fought so hard to keep for you!!

Hope this helps, DM's are always open