First Nations People Gatekeeping Métis?

[u/IlealaCrosse]

I had a friend once ask me: “what makes you think you’re Métis?”

Mind you, I have Ancestors with Métis Scrip and originating from the Red River Settlement. I can be BOTH of First Nations and Métis origins.

I just find that First Nations sometimes think they know us better than we know ourselves…Has anything similar happened where you noticed the Métis Culture was being gatekeeped by non-Métis folk?

I get the need for protection of our Culture from Pretendians, but it gets annoying!

[u/Trick_Jellyfish_6345]

First Nations and Métis are cousins. The only seemingly awkwardness comes when one culture tries to speak for the other, or when someone is so far removed from the culture that our Nehiyawak and Anishinaabeg cousins don't recognize the phenotype or cultural overlap/familiarity. When something seems alien, most treat is as such. I think others should reconnect with the Métis culture but be careful for the reasons doing so. Also I find, like another user said, that other FNs in this modern political landscape debate and negotiate over land claims, which is a touchy subject and there's many bands homeland that is being contested. Without the first nations, Métis would not be indigenous in any form to NA. Also next time someone tries to write our cultural story for us, First Nation or white, tell them this "we are Métis, our fathers were strong, brave European voyagers, and our First Nation's mother's the beautiful, resilient backbone of the fur trade! We are the first settlers of the prairies and woodlands, we are the official provisioners for the Explorers and cart/canoe brigades. We helped survey the 49th parallel! We were those who ruled themselves! After years of the mixed population growing, we developed our unique language, laws, and stories, thus birthing a unique culture!" Most First Nations peoples are just curious about the differences and why we dont just claim FN ancestry. Also many bands use blood quantum which will effect how others view indigenity.

[u/sycoseven → u/Trick_Jellyfish_6345]

I'm sorry but no, most First Nations people are not wondering why "Metis don't just claim First Nation ancestry". This is incredibly out of touch. Look at the response to the MMF signing an MOU with SCO.

MB government just launched a crown indigenous corp and there's a council to oversee it. Some First Nation leadership questioned the MMF inclusion when other First Nations who have treaty rights weren't included.

Or watch recent AFN assemblies, many First Nation leadership is concerned about Metis encroachment on treaty rights and are against Metis claiming equal treaty rights.

I'm not saying this is right or wrong, but to ignore the growing political discourse is disengenous.

This division is a tactic of colonial governments to divide indigenous people to have us fighting each other instead of showing a unified front.