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The Metis Nation

HISTORY AND EVOLUTION OF THE NATIVE AMERICAN IN THE PROVISO AREA C. 1850.

At the time of the arrival of the German farmers to the Franzosenbusch area in the early 1850's, the Native Americans they would have encountered were called "Metis". (A French term meaning "mixed, or of mixed blood). Many of the Metis were located in encampments along Salt Creek in the winter and gathered into larger camps in what is now "Mayslake" in the summer. By 1850, almost every pure- blooded Indian of the Potawattami tribe had been driven west of the Mississippi by government treaties. After the departure of the pure-bloods the remaining "Metis" were more accepted by the white settlers because they were not feared, having intermarried with the original white traders, explorers, and early pioneers. The following is an excellent description of the history of what became known as the Metis Nation - a unique nation of Native Americans, changed forever by merging with white men of European descent.

--Lana Gits

The following material is from the http://www.metisnation.org/culture/history/home.html site.  Much more information can be found there.

"Who are these people who call themselves The Forgotten People?

"It was necessary for not only the coureur des bois, {voyaguers}... but every European traveling in the wilds to connect with members of various Indian Nations. These men needed permanent and trust ties so they often married or cohabitated with Indian Women to achieve an alliance with the tribe. In order to survive in the wilds, the men needed Indian Women.  These women provided the knowledge and skills necessary to live in the new rather hostile land. The women of the fur trade were the necessary link between the coureur des bois and the Indian Nations. These wandering men needed Indian Women to fend for them in the wilds: to cook, forage for food, craft their clothes, hunt and fish, and most importantly to make moccasins. It is said that without a woman who has the knowledge to make snowshoes, a man will die before the first spring break. Without these much needed footwear travel would be almost impossible. These women taught their men how to survive in the wilds, which foods could be eaten, the languages of the Indian Nations, healed their wounds and were the mothers of their children, children who became the Metis Nation.

"The impact on Native culture when trade with Europe began cannot be understated. A significant lifestyle change occurred when European tools and weapons replaced those made of stone, pottery and horn. Glass beads replaced porcupine quills and natural dyes. New religions replaced Indian spirituality and customs. Trading became a significant focus, and though it did not cause the downfall of Native culture, it was the precursor to the expansion of settlement in North America. Settlement, more than anything else, altered irrevocably the lifestyle of North American Aboriginal people".

"The word 'METIS' comes from the Latin miscere, meaning "to mix"; and was used originally to describe the children of Indian mothers and European fathers. Another term for the Metis is derived from the Ojibwa (Indians) word wissakodewinmi, which means "half-burnt woodsmen", describing their lighter complexion in comparison to that of full-blood Indians. The French picked up the translation and often used the term Bois Brule, or "burnt-wood" for the Metis. They were also called by various other names including: Country-born, Black Scots, Métis anglaise, The Flower Bead Work People, The Buffalo People, Breeds and Half-breeds. One consistent characteristic that describes the Metis is implicit in the name the Cree gave them o-tee-paym-soo-wuk, which means "their own boss" or "people who own themselves".

"The Metis are a mixed blood people, the joining of two worlds ... the old world (Europeans) and the new world (North American Indians) ... creating a totally new nation or race of people. There is a criteria necessary to be recognized as a distinct nation of people ... from food, clothing, flag, history, political movement. All the criteria and more were met by the Metis people long before the creation of Canada and the United States. However, historic records show that the Metis were often overlooked, exploited, exterminated or marginalized out of their rights. Shunned and ostracized by both the Indians and Whites, the Metis people were distinct in their behavior, their attitudes and their choice of defining themselves. ...Metis culture is as distinct a culture as any others found in the world...

"Often known as children of the fur-trade, the Métis participated as trappers, guides, interpreters, factors, dock and warehouse workers, voyageurs, coureurs des bois, canoe and York boat paddlers, and Red River cart teamsters.

"Before cattle were abundant enough to become a food source, Métis hunted buffalo to make pemmican to provide a meat source to feed the outlying communities and trading posts. Wild berries and wild vegetables were gathered and sold along with the pemmican.

"Métis people assisted new settlers adapting to the harsh conditions of this country. Métis worked as farm laborers, clearing land and planting crops.

"Métis women taught newly arrived European women the preparation and preservation of wild game and other foods needed to survive the long harsh winters.

"Before the establishment of the mounted police in the west, the Métis organized themselves in a military style that proved useful in the creation of border patrols that discouraged invasion by both the American Fenians and the Sioux.

"The York boat was invented by the Métis for use on larger bodies of water and to carry more freight than the freighter canoes. It also required less maintenance and had a sail.

"The Métis were responsible for the development of the versatile Red River cart used to transport goods over both land and water (See Red River cart for more information)".

08/18/2003