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'Once upon a time, in a land close to here, began a healing of a historic nation. For those who may not know, this Aboriginal or indigenous nation helped define the foundation of Canada, as we all know and love it today.
These indigenous people seldom slept and rested little, due to a insensitive north american society filled with denial.
A society which denied half-caste or half-breed persons their hunting, fishing and treaty rights for several years. Then something happened.
Finally, after almost 300 years, the world has a universal definition to describe this historic nation - the Metis. Alas, their spirits soared like the eagles and the vision of Louis David Riel was realized - for benefit of all humankind ---- for infinity.
Sounds like a great way to share with you, what I did one weekend, eh? For those interested, I was honoured to be a delegate of the Red River Local for a meeting where a historic resolution was passed. The resolution was put to the Manitoba Metis Federation delegates to redefine the membership terminology used by M.M.F. constitution.
The following is from the Resolution.
Be it resolved that the local By-Law of the Manitoba Metis Federation Inc. (MMF) be amended by enacting the following:
1. Definition of Metis
(a) "Metis" means a person who self-identifies as Metis, is of historic Metis nation ancestry, is distinct from other Aboriginal peoples and is accepted by the Metis Nation.
(b) "Historic Metis Nation" means the Aboriginal people then known as Metis or Half-breeds who resided in the historic Metis Nation homeland;
(c) "Historic Metis Nation homeland" means the area of land in west central North America used and occupied as the traditional territory of the Metis or Half-breeds as they were known then;
(d) "Metis nation" means the Aboriginal people descended from the historic Metis Nation, which is now comprised of all Metis Nation citizens and is one of the "aboriginal peoples of Canada" within s.35 of the Constitution act of 1982;
(e) "Distinct from other aboriginal peoples" means distinct for cultural and nationhood purposes.
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Note: During the assembly, I posed a question regarding the selection of an acceptable entity (i.e. MB. Historical Society, Saint Boniface Historical Society, etc) which will act as the final authority, for proof of Metis ancestry. The disappointing and official response from our elected leaders at the time, was 'that is a good question.'
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2000 Added September 18, 2003 - Updated Feb. 2008