8: The Métis Flashcards
What is the concept of identity?
The set of characteristics and values used to express who you are.
Identity can vary among individuals and groups within a country.
What are some ways people express their identity?
Through dress, religion, language, and perspectives.
These expressions can differ significantly between individuals and cultural groups.
What was one important result of contact between First Nations and Europeans?
The emergence of the Métis.
The Métis population grew quickly and spread across the land.
By the mid-1800s, where was the largest number of Métis located?
In Red River, Manitoba.
This location became a central community for the Métis population.
How did the different groups of Métis in Red River come together?
As a solid community with a shared identity.
They considered themselves citizens of a Métis Nation.
What distinguishes the Métis from other groups?
Their unique identity as citizens of a Métis Nation, distinct from Europeans, Canadiens, and First Nations.
This distinction is important in understanding their historical and cultural context.
What will this chapter explore regarding the Red River Métis?
Their unique identity and the role they played in the development of the West.
It will also examine the Métis struggle to protect their identity and way of life.
What is the primary focus of the section on the Metis culture in Red River?
The unique culture and identity of the Francophone Metis of Red River
Red River is located where Winnipeg is today.
What is meant by demographics in the context of a place?
Information such as the number of people who live in a town and the ratio of male to female residents
In 1840, how many Francophone Métis were in the Red River region?
About 4000
What religious background did the Francophone Métis primarily follow?
Mainly Catholic
What spiritual beliefs did the Francophone Métis retain?
Some of their First Nations spiritual beliefs
Who were the Country Born Metis?
Children of First Nations women and British traders from the Hudson’s Bay Company
Fill in the blank: The largest Metis community grew in _______.
Manitoba
True or False: The Francophone Métis were the only people living in Red River.
False
What does the term ‘Metis’ refer to in the context of North America?
A group of people with mixed Indigenous and European ancestry
What are the origins of the Metis culture in Red River?
Derived from the interactions between Indigenous peoples and European settlers
What demographic information might be included when discussing a particular place?
Population size, gender ratio, ethnic composition
What role did the Hudson’s Bay Company play in the formation of the Country Born Metis?
Provided British traders who had relationships with First Nations women
Who were the people living near Red River around 1840?
The people living near Red River around 1840 included:
* 4000 Francophone Metis
* Country Born Metis
* Cree and Anishinabe First Nations
* Roman Catholic missionaries
* Canadiens
* British employees of the Hudson’s Bay Company
The Red River area was a diverse community with various ethnic and cultural groups.
What religious group primarily influenced early missionary work in the West starting in 1818?
Roman Catholic missionaries
They built churches and schools, which became centers of Francophone Métis communities.
Which two First Nations groups are mentioned in the context of the Métis?
Cree and Anishinabe
These groups had distinct beliefs and cultural practices.
What was the significance of St. Boniface to the Canadiens?
It was a place where they lived and developed their community
St. Boniface became a cultural center for the Francophone Métis.
What unique culture did the Red River Métis develop in the 1800s?
A culture that shaped their identity through a mix of First Nations and European traditions
This included their own language, traditions, and social practices.
What language did the Métis at Red River primarily speak?
Michif
Michif combines elements of French, English, Cree, and Anishinabe languages.
Fill in the blank: The Red River Métis were raised by parents of both _______ and European descent.
First Nations
This mixed heritage influenced their cultural identity.
True or False: Fewer than a thousand people still speak Michif in Canada today.
True
Michif is a language that links Métis identities but is now spoken by a small number of people.
What role did the Hudson’s Bay Company play in the context of the Red River Métis?
British employees of the Hudson’s Bay Company interacted with and influenced the Métis culture
Their presence contributed to the cultural exchange in the region.
What cultural aspects did the Red River Métis share with First Nations and Canadiens?
Distinct ways of life, language, and traditions
Each group had unique cultural expressions that contributed to the overall identity.
What types of languages were mixed in the Michif language?
French, English, Cree, and Anishinabe
This mixture reflects the Métis’ dual heritage.
What form of artistic expression is mentioned as part of the Métis culture?
Dance
Dance is part of the cultural traditions that helped shape their identity.
What was the unique economy developed by the Metis based on?
The climate of their territory and the resources found in it
The Metis adapted their economy to the specific environmental conditions and resources available in their region.
What types of jobs did the Metis take on?
Jobs in the fur trade and hunting buffalo
The Metis utilized their skills in both the fur trade and hunting to sustain their livelihoods.
How did the Metis engage in agriculture?
They grew crops on narrow river lots, similar to the seigneurial system used in Québec
This agricultural practice allowed the Metis to cultivate land effectively within their environment.
What identities did the Metis express through their economy?
Both their First Nations and European or Canadien identities
The blending of cultural practices was reflected in their economic activities.
Why were the Metis important to the success of the fur trade?
They were employed at every trading post and supplied buffalo meat
Their involvement was crucial for the sustenance and operation of the fur trade.
What role did the Metis often take on due to their diverse skills?
Interpreters
Many Metis knew two or more languages, which made them valuable in communication.
Fill in the blank: The Metis expressed their identities through a mix of _______.
fur trading, hunting, and farming
This combination allowed them to thrive in their environment.
True or False: The Metis only focused on hunting as their primary economic activity.
False
The Metis engaged in multiple economic activities including farming and trading.
What were the main means of transportation used by the Metis to deliver furs?
Large York boats
These boats replaced canoes on western rivers and lakes.
What term did the Cree use to refer to the Metis?
Otipemisiwak
oh-tee-puh-MIH soo-ak
This term means ‘the people who see themselves as independent.’
What was the focus of the Metis’ way of life from Red River?
The buffalo hunt
The hunt was central to their lifestyle.
What did the Metis do before setting out for the buffalo hunt?
Chose a council and a set of captains
This organization was crucial for leading the hunt.
What was pemmican and how was it made?
A food made from shredded meat mixed with fat
The women cut up the meat, dried it, pounded it into shreds, and then combined it with fat.
What role did pemmican play for explorers and fur traders?
Essential food item
No explorer or fur trader would venture onto the plains without it.
Who was Lord Selkirk?
A Scottish nobleman who bought land from the Hudson’s Bay Company in the early 1800s
What did Lord Selkirk hope to achieve with the land at Red River?
He hoped to turn it into a great farming colony
From where did Lord Selkirk bring families to Red River?
From the Highlands of Scotland
Why were families forced off their farms in Scotland?
To make room for sheep pastures
What was the status of the land at Red River before colonization?
It was already inhabited by a large Métis community
What was the reaction of the Métis to the arrival of colonists?
They feared being pushed off their farms and losing their way of life
Did the Métis have legal papers for the land they farmed?
No, they had no legal papers
What two rivers meet at the location of the Assiniboia (Red River Colony)?
The Red and Assiniboine Rivers
Which company was in competition with the North West Company?
The Hudson’s Bay Company
What was the concern of the North West Company employees regarding the colonists?
They believed the Hudson’s Bay Company sent the colonists to disrupt their trade
True or False: The Métis were concerned that British culture would overrun their way of life.
True
Fill in the blank: The North West Company employees were called _______.
Nor Westers
What was the primary fear of the Métis regarding the land they had farmed for over 100 years?
That colonists would try to push them off their farms
Who was Lord Selkirk?
A Scottish nobleman who bought land from the Hudson’s Bay Company in the early 1800s
What did Lord Selkirk hope to achieve with the land at Red River?
He hoped to turn it into a great farming colony
From where did Lord Selkirk bring families to Red River?
From the Highlands of Scotland
Why were families forced off their farms in Scotland?
To make room for sheep pastures
What was the status of the land at Red River before colonization?
It was already inhabited by a large Métis community
What was the reaction of the Métis to the arrival of colonists?
They feared being pushed off their farms and losing their way of life
Did the Métis have legal papers for the land they farmed?
No, they had no legal papers
What two rivers meet at the location of the Assiniboia (Red River Colony)?
The Red and Assiniboine Rivers
Which company was in competition with the North West Company?
The Hudson’s Bay Company
What was the concern of the North West Company employees regarding the colonists?
They believed the Hudson’s Bay Company sent the colonists to disrupt their trade
True or False: The Métis were concerned that British culture would overrun their way of life.
True
Fill in the blank: The North West Company employees were called _______.
Nor Westers
What was the primary fear of the Métis regarding the land they had farmed for over 100 years?
That colonists would try to push them off their farms
What was the official name of the Red River Colony?
Assinibola
The name ‘Assinibola’ is pronounced [uh-sih-nih-80Y-uh].
What territory was known as Rupert’s Land?
Hudson’s Bay Company territory in Western Canada
This territory was significant during the colonial period.
Why was the location and size of the Assinibola colony a concern for the Métis?
It could disrupt their trade
The Métis relied on trade for their livelihood.
What did the governor of the colony ban in 1814?
The export of any meat, fish, or vegetables from Red River
This ban was part of the Pemmican Proclamation.
What was the Pemmican Proclamation?
An order banning the Métis from exporting food from Red River
This proclamation was aimed at preventing starvation among colonists.
Who were outraged by the Pemmican Proclamation?
The Nor Westers and the Red River Métis
The proclamation affected the Métis economy and identity.
What role did buffalo meat play in Métis culture?
It was an important part of their identity and economy
Buffalo meat was a staple in the Métis diet and trade.
What actions did the Nor Westers and the Métis take in response to the colonists?
They set about driving the Selkirk colonists from the area
This was a direct response to the disruption of their trade and livelihood.
What actions did the Scottish colonists face from the local group?
Stole farm equipment and horses, shot guns to frighten settlers
These actions contributed to heightened tensions in the area.
What natural disaster affected the Scottish colonists in 1815?
Locust infestation
This disaster worsened the already difficult conditions for the colonists.
What significant event occurred in the summer of 1815 involving many Scottish colonists?
Many loaded their belongings into canoes and left
This mass departure was a response to the challenges they faced.
Who led the armed group that challenged Gran?
Governor Robert Semple
His leadership was pivotal in the conflict that erupted.
What was the outcome of the confrontation between the Scottish colonists and the Métis?
A fierce fight ensued, resulting in the deaths of a Métis and 21 colonists
This marked a significant escalation in the conflict.
What was the name of the battle where the first organized Métis resistance occurred?
Battle of Seven Oaks
This battle was crucial in establishing Métis unity against the colonists.
What group joined the Métis to defend their common interests in June 1816?
Francophone Métis
This alliance was important for collective defense against external pressures.
What marked the beginning of the Métis nation?
The events surrounding the Battle of Seven Oaks
The battle united the Métis and led to a stronger identity.
What happened to many key individuals involved in the incidents following the Battle of Seven Oaks?
They were arrested and put on trial
This legal action highlighted the tensions and conflicts in the region.
Who was found to have opened fire first at the Battle of Seven Oaks?
One of the settlers
This finding shifted some blame and highlighted the chaotic nature of the conflict.
What were the primary issues dividing the colonists and the Métis?
Land rights and fur-trading interests
These issues fueled ongoing tensions in the Red River Colony.
Which company was prominent in the fur trade during this period?
Hudson’s Bay Company
This company played a significant role in the economic and social dynamics of the Red River Colony.
Fill in the blank: The tensions between the Scottish colonists and the Metis remained _______.
high
This tension was a precursor to further conflicts in the region.
What important business for the Red River Metis involved buffalo?
The buffalo robe trade
The Metis had long hunted buffalo, and during the 1840s, there was increased demand for buffalo hides, which were made into blankets and coats.
During which decade did the demand for buffalo hides increase?
The 1840s
This period marked a significant rise in the demand for buffalo fur, particularly during the coldest months.
What factor made buffalo fur thickest?
The coldest months
The Metis hunters targeted this time for hunting to obtain the best quality fur.
How did the decline of buffalo affect the Metis hunters?
Hunters had to travel very far from the Red River Colony
This resulted in many Metis being away from their homes for most of the year.
What did some Metis give up in favor of hunting buffalo?
Farming
As buffalo became scarce, some Metis chose to prioritize hunting over agricultural activities.
