Métis Nationalism - Let's Move Forward

The history of the Métis is often being defined by others and it is a consistent battle that Métis have been challenged with for generations. We need to continue to be defined by ourselves – “Otipemisiwak” - our work; our words; our vision; our dreams and where we want to be. In stating that – we are putting out a request to continue with that work.

Signs of Métis Nationalism began in the 1700’s and carried on to the Battle of Seven Oaks in the early 1800’s. Our forefathers worked on Nationalism on their own terms; their own resources and based on their own passion and will. We want to try and begin looking at the true nature of those principles and work to move our “Nationalism” forward.

As contemporary Métis – where are we going? As our new generations of Métis continue to grow in a very vibrant multi-cultural country – it is our responsibility to work on the forward thinking of moving our culture and heritage forward. Our Métis Nationalism will be based on the legacy that we leave for those Métis generations of the future.

Here is the challenge:

Our forefathers did some integral and detailed acts without government resources or funding to move Nationalism forward for us – I believe that in doing that they were able to control their own destiny and set the direction that we today still remind people of when we challenge courts for our Métis rights. A Métis Agenda can only be defined by the Métis. We want to coordinate a meeting – with our own contributions and resources – to begin working on defining where Métis Nationalism is going in the future,

The purpose of the meeting will be to brainstorm and bring forward ideas and concepts that can be taken forward to all Métis from the grassroots – including the Métis leaders.

We are looking for Métis individuals who are willing to get together in a National meeting – at a central location – probably somewhere in Saskatchewan – to brainstorm and bring forward ideas on how to move Métis Nationalism forward. There will be no government funding but we will work on coordinating the meeting based on contributing what we have. There are many individuals that have a great deal to contribute in knowledge, experience and in the political will to move us forward. We encourage all of them to come forward and look at joining together to assist us in coming up with some concepts that help our leaders and the leaders of the future in moving forward our nation.

Now before I go much further – I will answer a question that will be in most of your minds – what is in it for me? I can only answer this based on my thoughts and that is – what was in it for our fore fathers? The only thing that is in it for me is that as a Métis woman – it is my responsibility to leave my culture, heritage and future of the nation for my descendents. It will cost me personally to be involved both financially and personally – but my reward will be the young people who will come after us and work toward a vision of the Métis Nation in the future.

In the present, I am hoping that it will also work towards bringing today’s Métis leaders focus back to the challenges in front of us – not challenging each other. I would like to see a grassroots movement bring the passion back to our Nation and have the will of the grassroots people be what brings us out of the present quagmire that we have been watching for the past two years. I like to be the eternal optimist – and maybe that is what I am being – either way being a part of a solution is better then being a part of the problem.

Anyone who is interested is invited to put forward their names so that we can begin the coordination of a meeting. Send an email to metismama@gmail.com and we will begin building a list of names and resources that will help us coordinate such a gathering. We will work on gathering available resources and keep everyone informed of the event through this blog as we have more details. We are hoping to have the meeting before the end of this coming summer.

Everyone’s ideas and concepts will be valued and welcomed. No one of us has all the answers and we need to work together to succeed.