Tid Bits

Tidbits are interesting and lesser known facts in three categories here; The Métis people, Residential Schools and Aboriginal Language.

Tid Bits about the Métis Nation

• The Cree gave the Métis people the name “oteepaymsoowuk,” which means “their own boss” or “people who own themselves.”

• At Instead of treaty agreements, the government provided the Métis with scrip. Scrip certificates entitled their owners to claim specified quantities of land. Most scrip certificates wound up in the hands of land speculators. However, the program did show that the government recognized that the Métis did have land rights.

• Most Métis of French descent were devout Catholics, and while those of Scottish or English ancestry were typically Anglicans, Methodists, or Presbyterians.

• A priest would often accompany the Métis on their annual buffalo hunts. Feast days were a time to socialize with other families.

• With the arrival of the Grey Nuns at Red River settlement in 1844, Métis children had access, albeit brief, to religious and secular education.

• The York boat was developed by a Métis, William Sinclair in 1835. The York boat was designed to carrier heavier loads than a birch bark canoe.

• The Métis also created the Red River Cart, which would carry meat, hides, pemmican, and other supplies. The cart was designed with large wheels that would not sink into soft soil and the wheels could easily be removed to create a raft to cross rivers.

• The colourful L’assomption sash worn by Métis served as a first aid kit, washcloth, towel, and even as an emergency horse bridal and saddle blanket.

• The colours of the Métis sash are significant. The blue and white colours woven in the sash represent the Métis flag; green symbolizes growth and fertility of the Métis people, while red represents hunting.

• One of the oldest occupations of the Métis is that of voyageur. Voyageurs often worked 16 to 18 hour days travelling through Canadian wilderness conditions; backpacking an average load of 68 kilograms.

• Métis were also coureurs de bois, canoe and York boat paddlers, Red River cart teamsters, guides, trappers, interpreters, and warehouse and dock workers.

• Almost one quarter of the Métis population of Canada lives in Alberta according to the 2001 census.

• Many Métis people were buffalo hunters who made and sold pemmican.

• The Métis were instrumental in the entry of Manitoba into Confederation.

• Most Métis live in cities, towns, and villages.

• The Métis have had many flag designs over history however the infinity symbol or lazy 8 symbol has retained its presence and is used today as the official flag.

• Louis Riel developed his own flag, which was white with a gold fleur-de-lis to represent that many Métis come from French parents.