The Métis culture is practiced by a section of people who originate or reside in Canada. They form a group with its traditions and cultural practices, which many history and anthropology scholars have had a long debate over their existence. While some argue that the Métis culture is unique, others claim that this culture is comprised of events or activities that were borrowed from both the European nations or cultures and First Nation or cultures. Nonetheless, from the course readings on Métis culture, the statement, “Métis music, material culture, and literature are neither European nor First Nations – but uniquely Metis" is not accurate.
It is clear that the Métis culture manifests in many aspects across cultural settings in both the European nations and First Nations. The following discussion seeks to disprove the statement that Métis music, material culture, and literature are neither European nor First Nations. The Métis people spoke various native languages, for example, Anishinaabemowin, Mi'kmaq, Denésoliné, and Cree 1 (Study Guide Metis History - An Overview , 2019) . Another segment of this group spoke a language referred to as Métis French, which was majorly characterized by vowels of the French language. In some regions, French and Cree verbs were combined to form a language known as Michif. However, the contemporary society of the Métis group primarily speaks Canadian English and Canadian French. From the above findings, it is clear that Métis culture with regards to language is not exclusive to the Métis society since this community has digressed to use other languages within the European nations, in this case, French and English. It is worth noting that some areas such as the Dakota region in the United States speak the Métis language of Michif. Most residents of Métis cultural background advocate for schools to teach this language. The prairies regions harbor inhabitants that predominantly use First Nation languages. This revelation further underscores the commonality of the Métis people with regards to their use of a culture that is not unique to them. Out of the many Métis people, one can speak the aboriginal languages in addition to the foreign languages, which are either English or French. The Métis residing in Alberta, Saskatchewan, and Manitoba used aboriginal languages excessively. However, a huge segment of this population used either French or English in their official communication. The fact that other languages apart from the aboriginal ones were used by members of the Métis community implies that this group of society is not unique to other society members across the European nations as well as the Fast Nations.
Delegate your assignment to our experts and they will do the rest.
Canada and its Métis group of inhabitants use the flag as a symbol of unity. The flag, among the Métis group, was established to exhibit possession of the Canadian land. The Métis have two types of flags that have a similar central infinity mark, but their colors are different. The red flag is characterized by antiquity, and the Métis still use as a symbol of nationalism. In 1815, the North West Company delivered this flag to Cuthbert Grant, whereby in 1816, he used it during the Seven Oaks battle 2 (Study Guide, Unit 4- Metis Culture 2019). It is worth noting that the Métis, just like other European nations and First Nations inhabitants, use flags as symbols of unity. They regard flags as a center of authority over a given jurisdiction. The approach is synonymous to countries like Germany and the United States, which use flags as symbols of unity. Besides, these countries hoist their flags on their land as a sign of ownership. Therefore, this finding also dispels the notion that Métis culture is exclusive to other European and First Nations’ cultural settings.
With regards to music and dance, the Métis heritage is made up of fiddle and dance. Musicians did not engage much in other forms of music. More so, researchers and writers of music did little on writings related to other forms of music. It was until 2002 when federal funding encouraged researchers to go deeper in looking for other forms of Métis music. The pilgrimage music, for example, Lac Ste, which praised Mary, the mother of Jesus Christ, attracted other communities to associate with the Métis music. The most influenced are members of communities within the First Nations. Fiddle music among the Métis society was so embraced that families had their trained fiddle players 3 (Study Guide, Unit 4- Metis Culture 2019). Besides, travelers made long journeys in search of fiddle players to listen to their music. Traders also made long-distance journeys when accompanied by fiddle players. The culture of making music and using it on pilgrimages and for general entertainment is common in European nations as well as First Nations. In light of these revelations, it is untrue to claim that Métis culture is unique to other cultures.
Traditional arts and crafts characterize the Métis members of society. This group of inhabitants is known for quillwork, embroidery, needlework, and toys, among other art and craft works. However, a considerable segment of the old generation has shelved the art and craft works while young members of the generation heavily indulge in these activities. They build their homes using wooden materials obtained from the Quebec post-on-sill (Study Guide Metis History - An Overview , 2019) . The dresses were designed traditionally to protect people from the chilly conditions while maintaining the beauty that Métis people adored. The embroidery produced dresses that were made of Capote and brass buttons. 4 Men wear shirts made of buff-leather moccasins while the females wear dresses with shawls that cover their heads. Catholic missionaries also use these kinds of dresses. Since Catholic is a universal religion, it implies that this culture spread across European and First Nations that practice catholic religious activities. Consequently, an individual can deduce that Métis culture is not unique, but it cuts across other nations.
Métis culture entails spirituality and religion just like many cultural settings in the First Nations and the European nations. The cardinal reason why the Métis people indulge in spiritual and religious practices is to enhance the holistic health and general well-being of their bodies. When they get spiritual nourishment, the Métis believe that their problems can get solved by their specific spiritual leaders. The Métis proclaim two major denominations, which are Catholicism and Aboriginal Spiritualism 5 (Study Guide Metis History - An Overview , 2019) . Their spiritual activities include meditation whereby people find silent places to think about their spiritual connection. Other Métis go to churches, especially those who subscribe to Catholicism. 6 A crop of Métis people participates in pilgrimages as a way of worshiping their spiritual and religious figures. From the evidence, there is no doubt that the Métis culture of worship and religious practices are similar to what most inhabitants of European nations partake. Catholicism, for instance, is practiced in many nations. In consequence, the Métis culture with regards to spirituality and religion is not slated for the Métis people alone.
The Métis society engaged in a wide range of economic activities, for example, hunting, gathering, fishing, and trading, among other forms of making a living. The trading activities of the Métis group date back to the days when they engaged the French in the fur trade (Study Guide Metis History - an Overview , 2019) . This trade thrived during the era of King Luis XI who reigned from 1643 to 1715. 7 Fishing was another activity common among the Métis people owing to their proximity to the lakes. While a segment of people fished for food, some members of this society engaged in fishing as a form of leisure. Others were involved in hunting for food and leisure. Trapping was another common economic activity that the Métis people took part as a form of economic activity. Young people participated in this activity compared to those from the old generation. Trading, hunting, fishing, and trapping are common cultural activities that cut across societies from many European and First Nations.
The Métis society had another form of entertainment, which entailed storytelling and folklore. Others applied oral communication through poetry. 8 Many poets emerged in this society, and a prominent example is Pierre Falcon, who influenced this society through his amazing poems. Maria Campbell’s Halfbreed tells a story of the Métis society 9 (Study Guide, Unit 4- Metis Culture, 2019). The story remains relevant to date, as far as the history of the Métis society is concerned. In particular, Maria Campbell’s authorship delves in expounding on the identity of the Métis society by examining some of the current literature that focuses on the Métis people. Through her written works, the social order and traditional practices of the Métis people are passed from one generation to another. 10
In conclusion, the Métis people were all-round persons who took part in various errands. Religiously, they established churches and engaged in forms of worship. Economically, these people took part in daily activities that would help them earn a living. For instance, they participated in trading activities. It is worth noting that these people were good at art and crafts activities, which resulted in various designs that were attractive. Their music, which was majorly used as a form of entertainment and for pilgrimage played an integral role in the society. All their activities are synonymous to what other communities carry out in their specific nations. In light of this, it is undoubtedly true that the Métis culture is not unique but has characteristics of cultures across European countries and First Nations.
References
Study Guide. (2019). Unit 4- Metis Culture , 1-22.
Study Guide. (2019). Metis History- An Overview , 1-23.
1 Study Guide Metis History - An Overview , 2019 (p.19)
2 Study Guide, Unit 4- Metis Culture 2019
3 Study Guide, Unit 4- Metis Culture 2019
4 Study Guide Metis History - An Overview , 2019
5 Study Guide Metis History - An Overview , 2019
6 Study Guide Metis History - An Overview , 2019
7 Study Guide Metis History - An Overview , 2019
8 Study Guide, Unit 4- Metis Culture 2019
9 Study Guide Metis History - An Overview , 2019
10 Study Guide, Unit 4- Metis Culture 2019
