Buffalo Spirit

The Métis are considered to be the first children of Canada and are one of the three major groups of Canadian indigenous people. The Métis descent can be traced to the First Nations and the Europeans lineage. Although the term ‘Métis’ itself means mixed and was used to describe the offspring’s of such unions, there was a gradual establishment of the Métis communities outside the European and First Nations settlements. These Métis men and women eventually married thus, leading to the birth of a new group of Aboriginals- Métis.

The Métis evolved during the 18th and 19th century as a result of marriages between the European fur traders and First Nation women. They originated in the central and eastern Canada and gradually moved to other parts of the country. During the peak of Fur trade many Europeans settlements had established in Canada. These Europeans mainly French, Scots and British married the First Nations (Cree, Ojibwa and Salteaux) women. The children born out of these unions were blessed with both the European and Native culture giving rise to the evolution of a new culture- Métis.

Over many centuries, the Métis adopted and learnt from the First Nations and Europeans, to develop their unique and distinct culture. Traditionally, the Métis lived a nomadic way of life like the First Nations. But they soon became the mediators between the native people and the Europeans by working as interpreters, guides and favored as employees by the fur traders due to their extensive knowledge of the land, buffalo hunting and for being skillful voyageurs.

The languages spoken by the Métis are the most illustrious example of the cultural transformation achieved by the Métis. They were probably the most multilingual people in Canada’s history, acquainted with a host of First Nations and European languages. The Métis invented Michif, Métis French and Bunjee languages which were a blend of two or three languages. Amongst these three languages, Michif (also called as Mitchif, Mechif, Michif-Cree, Métif, Métchif, French Cree) was the most spoken language.