METIS AND NON-STATUS PEOPLE IN BRITISH COLUMBIA

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 • 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 • feet in both worlds • knowledge and skills of separate cultures • 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 • 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 • 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 • tracing Metis roots to early colonial days • a distinct Aboriginal group • controversial within group • 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 • Scottish and French traders married First Nations women • cultural heritage a mix of customs especially influenced by French and First Nations • during fur trade made an important contribution • intermediaries between groups • interpreters and guides • provided food for forts

6. distinct communities in prairies • unique language –Michif * • blend of languages • unique lifestyle – music, skills and knowledge of land and resources • social culture – woven sashes as emblems • economy • pemmican as central – trade • farming • political system • democratic • elected buffalo councils • Red River Settlement started by HBC and Selkirk in 1811 • 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 • Riel moved/exiled to US • Metis rights not honoured by government • moved on to Saskatchewan • buffalo gone, people starving, government not doing anything

8. Northwest Rebellion 1885 • Riel back • rebellion focused northwest Saskatchewan • Riel arrested and hanged • 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 • founded Kelly Lake, only Metis community in BC • 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 • 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 • 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 • Union of British Columbia Indian Chiefs started • both dominant voices of Aboriginal politics in BC • held conventions at same time • 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 • name change to United Native Nations in 1976 • Congress of Aboriginal Peoples • acts as advocate for Metis and Non-Status people

11. UNITED NATIVE NATIONS SOCIETY • motto “Working Together for Our Children” • organized in local chapters throughout BC • locals managed independently • 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 • provided housing through BC Native Housing Corp. • also assist in home improvements and renos • Reunification Program • regain contact with families (after adoption and foster care) • Nu-Sayla (My Vision) training program • career planning and job search

13. ORGANIZING THE METIS • recognized as distinct Aboriginal people in Constitution Act 1982 • still did not define Metis • discussions on definition controversial • Metis National Council 1983 • recognized as national representation of Metis • represents 5 provincial groups • Metis Provincial Council of British Columbia (MPCBC) • elected governing organization for Metis • 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 • many people rediscovered Metis identity • able to connect with others like them • renewed sense of identity and self-pride • able to register as Metis • main criteria considered • self identification • community acceptance • genealogical proof of Aboriginal ancestors • seeking Metis rights • land and resource • land base in Prairies or compensation for land once owned • self-governing • greater control over own lives within Cdn society • 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