| n often be said that the cultural effects of the | | | | people’s and communities – that of |
| “Métis people” often go | | | | “First Nation” Aboriginal |
| unnoticed and oft unappreciated in total and | | | | motherhoods and “White” |
| totality. Yet the Métis people are a speck | | | | European fathers are both “First Nation |
| and a drop in the lake of the proverbial oceans of | | | | Aboriginal” and “European |
| the world. Yet the impact of this nation spreads | | | | “in origin yet are entirely unique and |
| far and wide. | | | | distinct both as a people and culture from their |
| Across the breadth of the expansive | | | | “Indian” Aboriginal First Nations |
| Métis homeland and homelands there are | | | | mothers and White European male ancestors. |
| more than a few – if not many emblems | | | | Entirely on their own and perhaps due the rugged |
| themselves of the enduring emblematic reminders | | | | means and manner of living the Metis developed |
| of the historic Metis presence, and of the Metis | | | | entirely separately. One must remember for a |
| nation and nations.c | | | | French courier de bois, or a Scottish Hudson Bay |
| Take for example the Montana “Buffalo | | | | Company factor to live a life in these isolated |
| Skull Logo”, the Buffalo symbol on the | | | | climes and rugged geography – that is to |
| province of Manitoba Canada's officialdom | | | | live off the land – they can be considered |
| government of Manitoba “Coat of | | | | to be of even a more adventurous type and |
| Arms”, the seal of the Manitoba | | | | leading lives more daring than 20’Th |
| Métis Federation, the blue colored | | | | century astronauts on a moon landing mission. |
| Métis infinity flag, the ubiquitous fiddle and | | | | True these Frenchman as well as the Scots from |
| sash, the world famous and known “Red | | | | such out flung rugged spots as the Orkney Island |
| River Cart”. In addition worldwide and | | | | of the Scottish isles were characters no doubt |
| throughout North America – Canada and | | | | – yet they were the most adventurous |
| the USA, you will no doubt find numerous streets | | | | and daring of souls so that these traits are an |
| and landmarks named after Métis | | | | integral part of Métis culture and pride. No |
| patriarchs and founders. | | | | doubt about this in any manner shape or form. A |
| Indeed streets and landmarks named after | | | | Métis was not a French-Canadian, nor a |
| famous Métis participants can be both | | | | Canadian, nor a Scot. Neither was they |
| readily and easily found in such varied geographic | | | | “First Nations” nor Inuit (Older |
| locales from as far and wide in the lands of North | | | | term now considered pejorative is the term |
| America as Kansas City , Edmonton to as far | | | | Eskimo which graphically translates as |
| north as Yellowknife North West Territories NWT | | | | “raw fish eater or eaters). |
| Canada. | | | | Métis created for themselves, and future |
| Lastly the Metis language – Mishif – | | | | generations a unique culture, a group identity and |
| is still spoken to this day in fully four states and | | | | thus declared themselves a “New |
| five provinces of the Dominion of Canada. | | | | Nation”. The Métis forged treaties |
| What is the history of the Métis nation | | | | and declared a Bill of Rights that marked their |
| and the Métis people? Indeed while it can | | | | identity and identities as a “New |
| be stated emphatically that the Metis while being | | | | Nation”. |
| descendants and a merger of two | | | | |