1. Metis Culture

2. Who are the Métis?
“Métis means a person who self-identifies as a Métis, is distinct from other aboriginal peoples, is of historic Métis Nation ancestry, and is accepted by the Métis Nation.”
Some references you may see or hear are:
Métisse Country born michif
Halfbreed black scotts
Bois brûlé mixed blood
Road allowance People chicot
References by metis themselves or by others I can show my card with the statement on it…

3. Common Symbols

4. There are two flags that are most commonly identified as métis flags
the flag is the most common one seen and used
Some say it’s colour is based on the French flag, NWC flag
The was flown on June 19, 1816 at the Battle of Seven Oaks under the leadership of Cuthbert Grant Jr
Is sometimes talked about as the scottished influenced flag, or the one tied to the HBC
During buffalo hunting expeditions, this flag belonged to the guide of the day. On some of these hunting expeditions, great battles occurred, like the battle of Grand Coteau in 1851
THE INFINITY SYMBOL
Represents the merging of two nations, a reminder of the past and future, once Métis always Métis.
Various groups identify with various flags. Eg: Alberta and Manitoba Metis have adopted the red flag to represent them. BC the blue.

5. Types of sashes and uses
métis sashes are commonly worn as part of the Métis regalia, at Métis festivals, and special events. Métis Men usually wear their sash tied around the waist and generally métis women will wear their sash across the body from left to right covering the heart.
L'Assomption Sash (Ceinture flêchée) Charleviox sash Acadienne sash Varous coloured sashes
Temps noir sash/
grandmother’s sash
Some uses: Belt, Tumpline, Sewing kit, Rope , wash cloth, First aid kit, Dog harness
Regalia vs costume some families own their own patterns and colour combinations

6. Métis Sash The finger-weaving technique was used to make sashes.
sashes were made by placing one end of threads attached to a ceiling beam. the other end attached to a nail on the floor. Two wooden sticks would be fastened to the middle of the threads to hold them in place. The weaving is started in the middle of the length of threads and worked towards one end. then it is all turned around and worked towards the other end
A good quality sash could be made using 300 to 400 fine waxed woolen threads and usually took about 200 hours to complete and were up to 3 meters long
Métis women were hired by the NWC to make sashes
The women would Work over 12 hours per day and were compensated with less than 30 cents per day
Show my finger weaving book and the sashes.

7. Colours of the sash
Red – traditional colour used represents the blood shed for Métis rights
blue - endless sky and endless people .. Depth of métis spirit
Yellow - remembrance of people we honour and have honoured in our lives
white - representing the infinity sign in the Métis flag(s) and connection to the creator (as in the medicine wheel teachings)
Green - represents growth, prosperity and success
black - signifies the dark period of Métis history where Métis people suffered dispossession and suppression
Nowadays it is said, The weaving of the threads in a sash represent the intertwined lives and blended cultures that make up the métis people
The original threads used were a waxed linen which made them water tight. While the later and current sashes were made from wool

8. Red River Cart
“It is simply a light box with a pair of shafts, mounted on an axle connecting two enormous wheels. There is no concession made to the aversion of the human frame to sudden violent changes of level; there is no weakness of luxury about this vehicle. The wheels are broad in the felloes (rims), so as not to cut through the prairie sod. They are long in the spokes, so as to pass safely through fords and mud-holes. They are very much dished so that they can be strapped together and rawhide stretched over them to make a boat. The whole cart is made of wood; there is not a bit of metal about it, so that, if anything breaks, the material to repair it is easily found. The axles are never greased and they furnish an incessant answer to the old conundrum: "What makes more noise than a pig in a poke?” ‪Harper's Magazine Company, 1880‬
The carts were first reported to be seen and use in Pembina (just south of the USA border below Fort Gary or today’s Winnipeg) in the report was made in an NWC journal by Henry Alexander the younger.
Larry has a ppt. and now shows it

9. Capote Made from a hudson’s bay woolen blanket.
The blanket was traded for pelts.
Each point on the blanket was worth 1 beaver pelt.
Explain the parts of the capote and why they are there

10. Not as Commonly known facts
Encouraged the government to create Treaties
Buffalo hunts
Democractic system
Unique language – michif
pemmican

11. Michif In canada The unique language used by the métis people
Originated from A mixture of Cree and french languages
In canada
the more geographically west you are the more cree used in michif
The farther east you are, the more french influences are in the language

12. Buffalo Hunt
The hunt involved organizing hundreds of men, women, children, Red River carts and horses
usually two organized hunts each year: one in the Spring and one in the Autumn In consisting of 1,240 carts and 1,630 Métis
a President would be selected. A number of captains were nominated by the President and the people jointly.
captains appointed their own policemen, the number assigned to each not exceeding ten.
Policemen’s duty was to see that the Laws of the Hunt were strictly carried out.
end of the day the captains took charge.
It was the duty of the captains and their policemen to see that things were rightly done.
No one would proceed with the hunt until the President gave the signal

13. THE BUFFALO HIDE - blankets, BONE - Clubs, arrowheads, SINEW / MUSCLE
robes, whips, saddles,
Clothing, moccasins.
BONE - Clubs, arrowheads,
foods, knives, ornaments.
SINEW / MUSCLE
Thread, Bow strings..
HAIR - Halters,
Padding, head dress,
ornaments.
FAT - soap.
BUFFALO
CHIPS -fuel.
HORN - Clubs,
spoons, ornaments,
Powder horns.
TAIL - ceremonial
ornamental.
SKULL
- ceremonial.
BRAIN - used
for tanning.
BLADDER
- Bags, pouches.
TEETH - necklas
ornaments.
SCROTUM
- rattles.
TONGUE
Meat.
MEAT- Roasted
- Boiled, dried.
HOOF/FOOT
Rattles, glue,
spoons.
BEARD
Ornaments.
INTERNAL ORGANS
- food, containers.
MARROW
- Food, Soup.

14. Making Pemmican
Once the pemmican was made and placed in A hide it would be buried in the ground as a Cache for future use on reoccurring trips In later years, it was sold to the NWC and The hbc

15. Music and Dance
Fiddles played a large role in Métis music because They were portable and didn’t take up much room
they were easy for a mobile lifestyle. Scottish and irish reels and dance also deeply influenced both the music and dance.
Another instrument commonly used were spoons. A quick and handy instrument.
Play you tube clip

16. The flower beadwork people

18. Sources  
kimolynyk.ca/ICM%20Fur%20Trade%20PP.ppt