Metis

During the height of the fur trade, between the 17th and 19th centuries, a new frontier society arose from the marriage of European fur trappers and First Nations women. Skilled in the ways of both European and Aboriginal societies and formidable hunters, these people - who came to be known as the Métis - were instrumental in opening the vast Canadian interior to general trade and especially the fur industry. In so doing, they became a recognizable nation in their own right, speaking their own languages (principally Métis-French and a hybrid Franco-Aboriginal language called Michif) and possessing a rich cultural life symbolized by their tradition of fiddle music, richly embroidered clothes, the Métis sash and the infinity symbol-shaped Métis flag.

The Métis are one of three distinct groups of indigenous peoples recognized within Section 35 of the Canadian Constitution (1982).

Today, there are approximately 500,000 people in Canada who identify themselves as Métis, living primarily in five provinces: British Columbia, Alberta, Saskatchewan, Manitoba and Ontario. They are represented nationally by the Métis National Council.

In 2007, the Métis signed a memorandum of understanding with the Four Host First Nations formalizing their joint commitment to work in partnership to maximize opportunities for Métis participation in the 2010 Winter Games.

For more information about the Métis, please visit Métis Nation British Columbia or the Métis National Council.