Sydney Hamilton

There is a commonly accepted notion that Canada has two founding nations, forgetting to incorporate the people that were before and still are Métis. It is a complex term with an even more complex history. The Métis, along with the other Aboriginal peoples that have either lived or currently live in Canada represent an important aspect of Canada’s identity, but many of these cultures have been dismissed. When one identifies themselves as Métis, many questions about their ancestry follow, disputing that person’s sense of their own convoluted identity. A large…read more

Genocide is a word that wasn’t created till the 1700’s but had occurred long before the word was ever used. Genocide is defined as the deliberate killing of a large group of people, especially those of a particular ethnic group or nation. Many people relate this term to what occurred in the Holocaust but forget that this term also applies to the Aboriginal peoples of both Canada and the United States. I learned that both the American and Canadian government systematically tried to exterminate the Aboriginal culture from existents- for…read more

First Nations and Indigenous Studies 100 is an introductory level course where you learn about the historical, cultural, political, economic and legal issues that realtime to the Aboriginal people of Canada. Within this course we learned more about the Metis peoples and the complexities that surround the definition itself. My big idea is based on the complexities of Metis people and how that correlates to the numerous definitions. The most influential factor in choosing my big idea was my ancestry because I am Metis myself with Cree and Blackfoot background….read more

Metis.  There are so many complex questions that continually circulate around what Metis is and who should be considered Metis. Some people question whether there is a difference between the big M and little m Metis people.  People wonder if only the Red River descendants should be allowed to address themselves as Metis. Others suggest that individuals of European and Aboriginal ancestry should be allowed to call themselves Metis.  There are so many questions that go into trying to define these unique people under one definition forgetting to recognize the…read more

In recent years, defining Metis peoples has become an ever increasing issue, due to the recent court decision, -in the Daniels vs. Canada case- that now defines Metis and non-status Indians as “Indians”. Rosalie Abella-  a judge that is a part of the Supreme Court of Canada- believes that; “Metis” can refer to the historic Metis community in Manitoba’s Red River  Settlements  or it can be used as a general term for anyone with mixed European and Aboriginal heritage…There is no consensus on who is considered Metis or non-status Indian,…read more

The haunting poem The Devils Language, by Marilyn Dumont,  explores the way something as mundane as language has been used to categorize a group of people, “one wrong sound and you’re shelved in the Native Literature section”.  This poem is located in Marilyn Dumont’s book The Really Good Brown Girl which explores the multiple boundaries imposed by society on the self to fit within the “white” ideal. Marilyn Dumont interested me in particular because she is a Metis from Alberta with Cree ancestry that openly addresses issues that Indigenous people…read more

Stolen The reason that this drawing is titled Stolen is because of me copying the basic design from another artist. With Aboriginal art, each piece holds it’s own meaning and is unique to the artist. By copying this design of the whale I am considered a thief. Especially in west coast artwork, every aspect is specifically chosen to show what the artist considers significant to their culture. This was intentional, I copied a part of this design to show how many of the “whites” have stolen everything from the Aboriginal people….read more

Where do I stand?  Throughout my life there was as single definition for being Metis. That one unifying definition I thought existed between all Metis people was, someone that is a descendent of both European and Aboriginal heritage. Previously, I knew there was some prejudice towards Metis individuals, but didn’t quite realize how deep it actually went. Before expanding on my Big Idea, I must explain my family and where I am coming from when I speak about the Metis.  The knowledge I have about being Metis was only obtained…read more

Potential Big Ideas #1 Hidden  The Aboriginal artwork within British Columbia is everywhere and recognizable whereas within Alberta it’s hidden. People may see Aboriginal artwork within Alberta but don’t recognize it as being Aboriginal. Living in Alberta then moving to British Columbia I experienced a culture shock about how visual the Aboriginal culture is here. I want to understand how it can be so different even though Alberta and British Columbia are neighbours. Why is there more visible Aboriginal identity with in  British Columbia then with in  Alberta? #2 Is…read more