Who we are:

Also, these Métis were not just French and Indigenous. Their ancestors are of many European communities like the English and the Scots, who also had country marriages with the local Indigenous women around Red River, such as the Cree and Ojibwa. Many of these Métis are now spread across Canada and some parts of the US and are members or citizens of Provincially and Federally recognized Métis organizations across Canada.

The claim they are us:

Recently, a number of métis are trying to claim they are also Métis and have been enabled by some of these Métis organizations. This is creating great tension among a number of Métis communities and with First Nations. Any legitimate Métis organization should be making sure that all accepted applicants have ancestry leading back to the Red River or a historic Métis community in Canada, verified through genealogy. Any non-Métis métis that can prove their Indigenous lines have the option to go to the nation or band of their ancestor and enroll or ask to be accepted into that First Nations community. Sadly, some of these individuals are not just searching for family connections and a community; they are looking for a way to gain more wealth or power.

The exploiters:

Some exploit education or employment opportunities, and some are looking for benefits from “Indian status.” The ones looking for “Indian status” soon find out that Métis don’t get “Indian status”; we are Métis, not First Nations. They all know that the governments and employers are keen to improve their relations with all Indigenous groups, and they try to exploit it any way they can.

Conclusion:

The best way to combat this exploitation is to educate people and let them know we are not all the same, and there are important distinctions to be made so we can protect our people and our Métis integrity!