The History of the Metis Essay Sample

Metis are a post-contact Indigenous people derived from European males and First Nations women, having a distinct culture, language, history, and other traits. The Metis Peoples are a mix of European and Indigenous people that fought against North American civilization. Their culture is extremely similar to European traditions, yet it has adapted to include Indigenous customs as well. The clash of cultures stems from their French, English, First Nation, and Celtic ancestors, and it has been an important element in shaping them. They were first referred to as "mixed bloods." Those who had French fathers and Indigenous mothers were called "Metis," while those who had English fathers and Indigenous mothers were called "half-breeds," "country-boms," or "Rupert slanders." Post-contact Throughout the years, Metis people have tried to win independence from colonizers via battles. In this article, I will discuss battles such as The Battle of Seven Oaks and The Battle of Grand Coteau, which were recognized as Metis successes, as well as how one of the major battles, the Northwest Resistance, was not a victory for the Metis people.

When the Confederation period began in Manitoba in 1870, persons having English ancestry were also referred to as Metis. During the time when the fur trade was active, the Metis were also referred to as "boi-brules" or "michif." Now the term "The term "Metis" refers to people who have a mix of Aboriginal and European heritage; nevertheless, because the Metis were just recently acknowledged by the Canadian government, it is unclear what legal rights they have. There is a significant risk in referring to the Metis as ""mixed," as there may be negative connotations linked with that term, which can jeopardize the persons' status. The Metis have developed a unified culture and their own way of life, and as a result, they should have a unique culture that is to be respected. The Metis are a distinct ethnic group that should be appreciated for their uniqueness. The Metis are an Indigenous nationhood that has been denied recognition while fighting severe racial discriminations. For instance, instead of the term "mixed," the term "Metis" should be highlighted and recognized as a separate entity.

The Battle of Seven Oaks and the Battle of Grand Coteau were at Metis victory. By the nineteenth century, tensions between Métis and newer European settlers were rising (the Selkirk settlers). The HBC was relocating the settlers to the Red River area. The Hudson's Bay Company was known for their fur trading at the time of colonization of North America.  They barter fur for knives, kettles, beads, blankets, and needles. Founded in 1670 by the British. HBC brought the British into contact with many other people such as Indigenous peoples and the French. The Battle of Seven Oaks was fought between the Métis, headed by Cuthbert Grant, and a force of HBC troops and settlers led by the colony's governor, Robert Semple for control of the fur trade in the Northwest. The argument was about the sale of pemmican. The pemmican trade was dominated by Métis, but the HBC was aiming to curtail it. The Métis declared themselves "a new nation" and flew their flag during this time. The Hudson's Bay Company sought, but failed, to take over the Northwest Company. Additionally, by 1851 the Métis won a battle against the Lakota (Sioux) over land and buffalo in 1851, known as the Battle of Grand Coteau. It was fought between Métis buffalo hunters of Red River and the Sioux in North Dakota. As the Metis people stated that they were often harassed by the Sioux when they practice hunting or take care of their crops ritually. This led to the Battle of Grand Coteau which resulted in the Metis people gaining control over their lands back. This bolstered Métis pride, identity, and organization over the Sioux.

The North-West Rebellion was led by Louis Riel and Gabriel Dumont which was a defeat for the Metis people. Unfortunately, this battle was not a success, unlike the Battle of Seven Oaks and the Battle of Grand Coteau. Louis Riel Catholic, French, Metis man Leader of Metis Nation, founder of province of Manitoba, central figure in Red River and North-West resistances, believed that the Metis of Red River were a “New Nation”. He was elected President of Metis National Committee after HBC agreed to sell Rupert’s Land to Dominion of Canada without consulting the Indigenous Peoples who lived there. The Metis people asked Riel if he would be able to help them gain their lands back by 1884 with the help of A Buffalo hunter (or Bison Hunt Captain), Metis chief, and military strategist, Gabriel Dumont. Dumont was Louis Riel’s military commander during the Northwest Rebellion. He led a group to colonize an area which included: a stretch of The South Saskatchewan River and Duck Lake. He set up a governing body of St. Laurent Metis, which elected him president. Both Gabriel and Louis enacted 28 laws that governed the Bison Hunt. The regulations covered topics such as labor conditions and settling of disputes. Dumont went south and encouraged other communities to do the same, but this did not happen. Later a party of “Free-Hunters” arrived in the area but Dumont and his men had told them they were trespassing and breaking the law. This later led the HBC to send out North-West Mounted Police to assess Dumont’s hunting laws. In 1877, the North-West Council enacted hunting laws, but it wasn’t soon enough to save the herd. This resulted in the decline of Bisons, leading to food insecurity and land rights. The Metis people then decided to protest (The Battle of Batoche) and it led Riel to be Found guilty of treason and executed in 1885. The defeat of the Métis and the capture of Riel in the North-West Rebellion resulted in the Provisional Government's demise. The outcome was the permanent implementation of Canadian law in the West, which was the polar opposite of what the Metis aspired for and fought for.

To summarize, the Metis People were vital to the success of the western fur trade. They were skilled trappers and hunters who had been taught to revere both Aboriginal and European traditions. The significance of the Metis people is quite unique in Indigenous culture. They've been through a lot of battles. They won certain battles, such as the Battle of Seven Oaks and the Battle of Grand Coteau, as a consequence of food insecurity and a desire to dominate the fur trade. Both fights were victories for the Métis, bolstering their pride, identity, and organization over the Lakota (Sioux) and The Hudson's Bay Company. Despite the fact that the combat of the North-West Rebellion (the Battle of Batoche) did not result in a Metis triumph, it had the opposite effect.