Métis

Métis

Indigenous nation of Canada that has combined Native American and European cultural practices since at least the 17th century. The first Métis were the offspring of local Indian women and European fur traders in the Red River area of what is now southern Manitoba. They call themselves the Forgotten People. Their language, Michif, is a French and Cree trade language. The Métis cultivated a distinctive way of life; their culture, particularly their clothing, artwork, music, and dance, can be characterized as colourful and unique. They resisted the Canadian takeover of the Northwest in 1869, established a provisional government under the leadership of Louis Riel, and in 1870 negotiated a union with Canada that resulted in the establishment of the province of Manitoba. In 2003 Canada granted the Métis legal recognition as a native group, with the same broad hunting rights as other First Nations. By the early 21st century the estimated number of Métis in western Canada was more than 290,000.