Community and Culture
Community and Culture
Métis Culture
The Red River Métis, often referred to as the “Heart of the Métis Nation,” are an Indigenous people with a unique history and culture born of the union between First Nations women and European fur traders in the 18th and 19th centuries.
Their cultural identity crystallized along the waterways of the Red and Assiniboine Rivers, where they developed vibrant communities that blended Indigenous and European traditions into something distinctly their own.
Historical Foundations
The Métis emerged as a distinct people during the fur trade era, when their ancestors played vital roles as interpreters, traders, and voyageurs.
The Métis Nation became most prominent in the Red River Settlement, located in what is now Manitoba.
This settlement was a hub for trade, culture, and political action, forming the foundation of Métis self-determination.
The Red River Métis are perhaps best known for their fierce defense of their rights and territory. In the 19th century, under the leadership of Louis Riel, the Métis fought to protect their land, language, and culture during events like the Red River Resistance (1869–1870) and the Northwest Resistance (1885). These uprisings, while leading to significant losses, also secured Manitoba’s entry into Confederation as Canada’s fifth province, with the Métis at its core.
Culture and Identity
The Red River Métis culture is a rich tapestry of traditions that reflect their dual heritage. Language plays a central role, with Michif—a unique blend of Cree, Ojibwe, French, and English—serving as a linguistic symbol of their blended identity.
Art, music, and dance are deeply woven into the Métis way of life. The fiddle and the Red River Jig are iconic elements of Métis celebrations, showcasing their joy and resilience. Beadwork, often inspired by floral designs, reflects both First Nations and European artistic influences.
Métis culture is also grounded in a deep connection to the land. Hunting, trapping, and harvesting are not only economic activities but also ways of sustaining traditional knowledge and fostering community.
Contemporary Identity
Today, the Red River Métis are recognized as a distinct Indigenous people with rights protected under the Canadian Constitution. The Manitoba Métis Federation (MMF) serves as the official democratic government of the Métis Nation in Manitoba, advocating for the preservation of Métis culture, language, and traditions while addressing contemporary challenges.
The Red River Métis remain a resilient people, proud of their history and committed to preserving their culture for future generations. Their story is one of resistance, adaptation, and unity—a testament to their enduring place in the history and fabric of Canada.
Cultural Competency (training)
Coming soon
Métis Resources
Read:
From the Ashes “A story of being Metis, Homeless, and finding my way” – Written by: Jesse Thistle
Red River Girl: The Life and Death of Tina Fontaine – Written by: JoannaJolly
Betty: The Helen Betty Osborne Story – Written by: David Robertson
Highway of Tears: A True Story of Racism, Indifference and the Pursuit of Justice for Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women and Girls – Written by: Jessica McDiarmid
Returning to Ceremony – Written by Chantal Fiola.
This book looks at spirituality in Manitoba Metis communities.
Métis Christmas Mittens – Written by Leah Marie Dorion.
In Métis Christmas Mittens by Leah Marie Dorion, a Métis artist, the holiday season has always been a very special time for Métis families. A family-oriented people, the Métis often didn’t have money to buy expensive presents, but instead made practical items with much love. In this spirit, award-winning author and illustrator, Leah Marie Dorion takes readers back to the Métis tradition of making mittens for loved ones. Métis Christmas Mittens is a touching ode to Métis family life is accompanied by Leah’s distinctive and evocative art.
Watch:
Check out this video by the Manitoba Metis Federation on the Red River Cart:
MMF Victory of Frog Plain Commemoration
This River:
This short documentary offers an Indigenous perspective on the devastating experience of searching for a loved one who has disappeared. Volunteer activist Kyle Kematch and award-winning writer Katherena Vermette have both survived this heartbreak and share their histories with each other and the audience. While their stories are different, they both exemplify the beauty, grace, resilience, and activism born out of the need to do something.
Listen:
Muddied Waters’ podcast, Hosted by Métis Journalist Stephanie Cram.
This podcast explores the history of Metis people in Manitoba
This Place – Podcast by Rosanna Deerchild.
This Place is a 10-part journey through one-hundred and fifty years of Indigenous resistance and resilience. Through dramatizations and interviews, the series reveals the heroes, battles, triumphs and traditions which live outside and beyond the national story we have been told.
Jigging Dance Groups
Thanks to funding provided by the MMF, our agency has been able to offer fiddling and jigging lessons to children under our care. We provide fiddles to children and youth , who participate in lessons. These lessons can accommodate up to 10 children and youth, either virtually or in person on Thursday evenings.
Jigging lessons were successfully adapted to a virtual format during the Covid-19 pandemic and have since transitioned back into in-person sessions. We continue to offer virtual options to ensure accessibility, enabling children aged five (5) to seventeen (17) years old to learn these essential aspects of Métis culture regardless of their location.