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.
The Métis adapted and borrowed from both the cultures they had been introduced to. Over a period of time they developed their own distinct culture and communities, different from the European or First Nations. Métis women played a very important role in assimilating both the cultures.
Buffalo hunting provided the Métis their source of livelihood. The Métis were expert in buffalo hunting and hence, were employed by the Europeans for buffalo fur trade. Hudson Bay Company and Northwest Company, the two main fur trading companies, were the chief employers of the Métis.
Most of the Métis settlements were established near the Red River Valley, as the location was perfect for buffalo hunting and fur trading and rivers were useful to transport the fur. In the 19th century many immigrants (majorly Scottish) moved to the Red River Valley. The Hudson Bay Company allocated the land to these immigrants. These allocations lead to conflicts between the original settlers of the land and the immigrants. In mid 19th century, the Government of Canada acquired the land from Hudson Bay Company. The Métis and First Nations united and revolted against the government for their rights and to protect their land. The government forced them to sign treaties which gave the government the right to the western plains. Louis Riel, a leader of the Métis rebelled against the government. The Red River Rebellion took place in 1869 and Riel was exiled to America. The Métis then formed a coalition, the Métis Provisional Government, with the help of First Nations Chiefs Big Bear and Poundmaker brought Riel back to Canada. A series of conflicts, Northwest rebellions (Riel rebellions) took place after which Riel, Big Bear and Poundmaker surrendered to the government. In 1885, Riel was executed and the Chiefs received 3 year sentences.
In 1930s, political uprising against the government, over land rights, rose in Alberta and Saskatchewan. The Métis Nation of Alberta was established in 1932 representing all the Métis, to pressurize the government. The Métis were finally recognized as Aboriginals in the constitutional talks of 1989 and in 1990, the Métis communities got the land titles from the government through the Métis Settlement Act.
