Brown, Jennifer S. H. “Métis.” The Canadian Encyclopedia. Ed. Adam Gaudry. Historica Canada, 01 July 2009. Web. 10 Aug. 2015.

Jennifer S. H. Brown’s article for the Canadian Encyclopedia, titled simply “Métis” is a starting point for our investigations into Métis stories and writing. The Canadian Encyclopedia is an encyclopedia which allows everyone to learn about Canada, its people, and its history. Jennifer S. H. Brown is a Professor of History at the University of Winnipeg and was the Canada Research Chair for Aboriginal Peoples and Histories in 2004. The articles was revised by Adam Gaudry, an Assistant Professor at the University of Sasatchewan who is also Métis. Due to the unique pairing of Brown and Gaudry this article is not only indicative of Métis history and identity from the perception of a non-Métis individual, but also that of a Métis individual.

While Brown begins by defining Métis as “people of mixed European and Indigenous ancestry” the article shows us more than simple definitions by going systematically through history. Brown and Gaudry look at different Métis communities, for example the Great Lakes Communities and the Western Métis and their individual histories. The article emphasizes that “Métis identity is not simply the result of a dual heritage, but rather a matter of possessing a singular cultural heritage of dual origins”. Thus highlighting that there is no single definition of Métis, that it is a more “fluid” (Peressini 87) definition depending on one’s history and identity. To be Métis means to have “Métis heritage” even if one is of Cree and French-Canadian descent. In order to look at Métis stories it is important to understand this kind of information especially for someone who may not have previous knowledge of the Métis community and its history. The article not only outlines Métis history but draws the reader into the present with the Daniels v. Canada case – an appeal by Métis leader, Harry Daniels – and its potential far reaching consequences with regards to modern day Métis organizations. The historical narrative provided by this article

This article is integral to beginning research about Métis writings by giving the reader a summarized but descriptive overview of Métis history. It also helps one realize that Métis history and identity is complex and intricate and, as evidenced by the comments, cannot be defined in one way. It helps one to understand the idea of “belonging in more than one place, time, memory, and body” (McCall 38) by showing the many aspects of Canada. As communities move, disperse, and change so do peoples’ experiences and this article allows us a view of different Métis communities. The addition of comments at the bottom of the article also allow the reader to see the differences in Métis identity and its definition. In order to understand where stories and writings come from it is important to first understand the history and identity of the people who write them.

Works Cited

Chartrand, Larry N., Tricia E. Logan, and Judy D. Daniels. Métis History and Experience and Residential Schools in Canada. Ottawa: Aboriginal Healing Foundation, 2006. Print.

Peressini, Sabrina. “From ‘Great Lakes Metis’ to ‘Aboriginal People of Canada’: The Changing Identity of Canadian Metis During the Eighteenth, Nineteenth and Twentieth Centuries.” The Canadian Student Journal of Anthropology 14.1 (2000): 87-107. Print.

Vowel, Chelsea. “You’re Métis? So Which of Your Parents Is an Indian?” Web log post. âpihtawikosisân. WordPress, 20 Dec. 2011. Web. 10 Aug. 2015.

This blog post encapsulates the idea of Métis identity through the eyes of a Métis person. Her blog post answers questions – that people have asked her and that she has answered herself – about the complexities of Métis identity and the distinctions between different perceptions of Métis which allow us a clearer idea of what it means to be Métis.