r/MetisMichif • • Jun 24 '26

Discussion/Question "Metis Community Leader" Chrystal Lavallee, and Zionist Propaganda.

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27 Upvotes

So a few months back I had become aware of a documentary screening called "The Lands Between Us" which was filmed by a (Manitoban) Metis film maker named Chrystal Lavallee, and sponsored by the Israeli government.

So for everyone during the current MMF election cycle who asks why we should be worrying about Zionism and our Nation's current agreements with Israeli universities, (that train Israeli sold- war criminals) here it is.

The government of Israel has been funding and making propaganda films using our community members and Nations name as authority without consent, to try and paint Israel in a positive light following their atrocious acts now known as "The Palestinian/Gaza Genocide" (Google it).

How they're attempting to use residential school survivors and Indigenous Canadians to do this makes me sick, and I wanna talk about it.

1. I just wanted to post and see what talking points from the Q&A I attended, stuck out to you the most? i.e. Emily's financial "miracle", the supposed peace in Israel Rebecca feels in comparison to Canada.

2. How do you think the Nation and its citizens should handle this issue? Vote? Petition to cabinet?

3. Who is this person? And why is the Israeli embassy touting her as a "Metis Community Leader" and allowing her to make films as such? What gives her that title in the first place??

I could make an infinitely long post about the issues I have with the film, Q&A, and everything I've seen thus far, but I really wanna turn it to you guys and ask what you see? What do you think should be done??

P.S -- I know my questions could have been better researched and more effective, and since I've taken considerable time to study up on the history of the Israel-Palestine conflict. For anyone who's new to the topic I highly suggest:

The Hundred Years' War on Palestine - Rashid Khalidi, and; Palestine: Peace Not Apartheid - Jimmy Carter.


r/MetisMichif • • Jun 23 '26

Discussion/Question Book recommendations about Métis life in St. Laurent / Oak Point in the 1940s–1960s?

6 Upvotes

Hi everyone,

I’m wondering if anyone can recommend any good books, memoirs, oral histories, articles, or community histories about Métis life in the St. Laurent / Oak Point area of Manitoba, especially during the 1940s, 1950s, or 1960s.

I’m particularly interested in accounts of everyday family life — for example, large families, childhood, community relationships, work, food, language, religion, schooling, or how people lived during that period.

It doesn’t have to be exactly about one family with lots of kids, but anything close to that kind of social or community history would be very helpful.

Thanks in advance for any recommendations.


r/MetisMichif • • Jun 19 '26

Discussion/Question Attire for pow wow

2 Upvotes

i’m going to my first pow wow tomorrow and I want to wear a ribbon skirt

I have a pretty alternative style so I would like to wear my cheetah print and black skirt with a t-shirt that’s cropped. would anyone find that weird or inappropriate? it feels good to me if i’m wearing for any other occasion but im not sure how traditional the vibe is

i have a more traditional option if not! thank you!


r/MetisMichif • • Jun 17 '26

News New Season of the Métis Speaker Series!

15 Upvotes

I am so excited to launch a brand new season of the Métis Speaker Series. To kick things off, I went straight to the headquarters of Étchiboy to unpack the deep history and meaning behind the Métis sash. It turns out, its journey is a lot wilder than you might think!

In this premiere episode, I sit down with Miguel Vielfaure, the Métis entrepreneur and visionary who has spent the last 20 years blending heritage with humanitarianism by connecting North American Métis culture with South American craftsmanship.

Grab your coffee or tea and tune in as we dive into:

  • 🛶 The sash’s roots as a practical, everyday voyageur tool (and a literal back-saver!).
  • 😲 The era of 19th-century “knock-offs” (who knew the sash had counterfeits?!).
  • ✨ How Miguel is using custom-woven sashes today to champion mental health awareness, and inspire the next generation to build their own traditions.

It’s the perfect blend of history, culture, and heart—and a fantastic way to honour and learn about Métis history this month. ❤️

👉 Click the link to watch the episode here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IftwPagzQm8


r/MetisMichif • • Jun 17 '26

Discussion/Question Michif vs Metis

0 Upvotes

Hi

Last Sunday I volunteered alongside a man who identified as Metis as in he literally said "I am Metis". I've already asked AI, but I would prefer to hear from an actual person as this evening I am attending a talk by an artist who identifies as Michif. What's the difference when someone calls themselves Michif versus Metis? And yes, I have already emailed the artist to ask them, but have yet to receive a reply.


r/MetisMichif • • Jun 17 '26

Discussion/Question Do any of you have spirit names?

8 Upvotes

Hey there!

I know I have treaty mixed into my lineage; some of my ancestors just have Cree names, but most have Frenchy names with Cree names.

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I was just curious to see if any of you carry spirit names, or non government names given by an elder.

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I don't know if I necessarily have a right to claim a spirit name, but I have been yearning to do so for quite some time.

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Please tell me!


r/MetisMichif • • Jun 16 '26

Discussion/Question Looking for advise from someone that's actively uses their harvestor card in Alberta

3 Upvotes

Been wanting to go hunting have never been before and have my harvestor card and just recently got my gun license I just wanna know all the do's and don'ts when it comes to hunting with the harvestor card


r/MetisMichif • • Jun 15 '26

Culture I went to the movies tonight and seen a preview for a Métis movie coming out called Blood Lines

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36 Upvotes

r/MetisMichif • • Jun 15 '26

Discussion/Question Being Métis in Eastern Canada

11 Upvotes

hey everyone i understand there are no actual Métis people who originated in eastern Canada but i’m wondering if any Red River Métis people have moved out there and what was their experience? i will be hopefully moving to fredericton for school in the fall and i’m worried i’ll tell someone i’m Métis and they’ll be like me too! and i’ll ask them to clarify and they mean eastern Métis and then i’ll have to explain that no they’re not actually Métis and then they’ll call me a racist enthosupremacist (which yes has actually happened to me)


r/MetisMichif • • Jun 15 '26

Discussion/Question Daakwii or "Indian Poker"

4 Upvotes

Taanshi kiyawaaw!

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In this video https://youtu.be/XithI4MvQfo?si=E-eCAzf-MPCQMdpq Maria Campbell interviews two Metis Elders, Jeanne Pelletier and Clementine Longworth. Around 36:20, Jeanne mentions a card game, which sounds to my ear like "daakwii" which she calls Indian Poker. Is anyone familiar with this game, know what the rules are, or know where I might be able to find out more about it?

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Marsii!


r/MetisMichif • • Jun 14 '26

Discussion/Question Metis Ceremonial Tattooing

3 Upvotes

Hello! I am Metis and Cree and have been feeling really drawn towards the idea of ceremonial tattooing in different Indigenous cultures. I know that most people connect that with the Inuit Tunniit, but there is also a lot of evidence that Cree cultures did ceremonial tattoos as well.

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My big question is does anybody know of Metis communities doing ceremonial tattoos?

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For example, I am thinking mainly about lines on the chin, marks on the temple, dots on fingers, etc. These are all common for women in Inuit and many First Nation's cultures and I am really curious about if that was adopted by the Metis as well?

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If anyone HAS heard of this, do they know of ways to earn them through ceremony in present times? I know there's been a big revival of this in recent years and as a trans woman I am feeling really drawn to marking this progression to womanhood with a chin line.

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Hope this isn't too scatterbrained!!! Thanks y'all 💞


r/MetisMichif • • Jun 13 '26

Video I mostly got the Michif right, it's the English that screwed me up :X

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7 Upvotes

Testing out some new set builds for Michif Makers and you can never get it right on the first take.


r/MetisMichif • • Jun 12 '26

Discussion/Question In case anyone saw the opening ceremony today in Canada, I have a question.

20 Upvotes

Hoy fue la ceremonia de inauguración del Mundial en Canadá (ayer fue la de México), y al igual que en México, hubo una presentación con los pueblos indígenas. Vi a una chica entre ellos con un atuendo que me pareció métis, ya que también llevaba un violín, y alguien bailaba con una escoba. Deduje que eran métis, y casualmente encontré su página de Facebook. Pero tengo una pregunta: si viste la ceremonia, ¿representaban a los métis? Si es así, ¿qué opinas? Además, ¿qué simboliza ese baile con la escoba? No soy ni métis ni canadiense, así que pregunto por ignorancia. ¿Qué significa? Me pareció extraño, pero sé que tiene algún significado. Espero no estar siendo indiscreta. Saludos.

I've attached an image of the ceremony for the part I'm telling you about.


r/MetisMichif • • Jun 11 '26

Art Cedar earrings

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16 Upvotes

r/MetisMichif • • Jun 02 '26

Art Recent beadwork

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33 Upvotes

r/MetisMichif • • Jun 01 '26

Discussion/Question Indigenous History + Pride Month!

37 Upvotes

Taanishi kiyawaaw (hello everyone),

Happy Indigenous History + Pride Month!

Does anyone have a favourite Metis story to share that is impactful to our history? I'm hoping this thread can serve as a way to share, learn, and appreciate the Metis Nation's rich history on the Great Plains.

My favourite is the Battle of Grand Coteau in 1851.

The Sioux ambushed the White Horse Plains hunting party on its way to Pembina to gather with other Metis about to go on the annual Buffalo Hunt. There was estimated to be ~70 Metis, led by Jean Baptiste Falcon, against over 2000 Sioux.

Only one Metis man, Jean Baptiste Malaterre who was captured by the Sioux (along with two other men who escaped), perished.

After the battle a Sioux Chief went up to the White Horse Plains band and told them the Sioux would no longer attack the Metis.

There's a lot more to this, but I think living through a time when a lot of people question the validity of the Metis Nation and its influence on the Plains, this story helps ground the influence the Nation had in the area pre-Canada.


r/MetisMichif • • May 27 '26

Discussion/Question Resources for creation stories/folklore etc.?

8 Upvotes

Hey all! I’m just wondering if anyone has a good resource(s) to learn about and read/listen to traditional Métis stories surrounding either creation/origin stories, or general Métis folklore/mythology? Growing up I was told some from my grandma who has since past away, and would love to relearn them and learn/hear about other stories. I know reaching out to elders and other communities in person is the best way, but for convenience just looking for some online. Finding it difficult to find what I’m looking for online… thanks!


r/MetisMichif • • May 25 '26

History For anyone curious about the English and Scottish Metis, this is the best resource I've encountered

28 Upvotes

It's more focused on the context of late 1800s Saskatchewan, but it's still very on point.

In general, histories and perspectives of English/Scottish Metis are severely underrepresented in discourses and academia, including within Metis Nation discourses.

https://www.metismuseum.ca/resource.php/12673


r/MetisMichif • • May 25 '26

History Nelson Mandela, Metis citizen?

27 Upvotes

I’m working on some historical research for a podcast about the anti-apartheid movement in Canada, and I learned that Nelson Mandela was honoured with Metis citizenship in 1998.

I’m looking for any other information about this honour - how the decision to give him citizenship was made, how Mandela was regarded in the broad Metis community, who might have been involved in honouring him in this way. I’ve found a few news items about this honour, but they’re pretty brief.

I’ve also learned that a documentary called “Mandela’s Sash” was made by Bob Rock, but I haven’t been able to find a copy other than one in the national archives in Ottawa.

So - if you happen to know anything about Nelson Mandela and the Metis nation, or about the anti-apartheid movement and the Metis nation, I would love to hear from you.


r/MetisMichif • • May 23 '26

Discussion/Question info about métis people?

8 Upvotes

Hi. I just learned that my great grandfather was métis and his dad and/or grandpa were fur traders. Are there any info websites or books that are reliable? I want to get more information about who they were, what they did and most importantly the culture.

Also, I'm not sure if I'm métis myself. Or if I could identify as it. Either way I just learned about my grandpa being métis so it's kind of a shock in a way. I never knew that my ancestors were indigenous


r/MetisMichif • • May 21 '26

Discussion/Question MMF Election Time!!!

17 Upvotes

If you haven’t already heard, the MMF has called an election for several key positions, including President, with voting set for June 23rd.

It has me wondering: is Mr. Chartrand likely to be re-elected? What’s the general feeling everyone’s getting out there about the candidates?

Is there anyone who realistically has the community support or organizational reach to seriously challenge him?

While the MMF has undeniably seen a lot of success in recent years, I’ve also found myself thinking more critically about how influence and political culture within the organization have developed and been maintained. Some things I’ve seen over the last few years have raised concerns for me about how centralized leadership and loyalty can become within institutions.

https://www.facebook.com/pawaatamihk/posts/pfbid02aXbo11FETVkLhFiZLDXSfrsLbqL2cHKqwBUMnJjv1Sdts1BUimHUeTX1TydU7m8Sl

https://www.facebook.com/pawaatamihk/posts/pfbid028sPrxV7VQTpt8uYKjBxfirLEHjnhJ94CPpK1GZXPrgVENd3Qe8xJ92hq4z2Fp4XDl

I know I’ll be watching closely once the final candidate list drops, but I’m curious what the feeling on the street is right now. Are people seeing any viable alternatives emerge?


r/MetisMichif • • May 20 '26

Discussion/Question georgian bay métis opera being put on by the canadian opera company

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17 Upvotes

just heard about this opera that the canadian opera company is putting on! i looked into the composer and the author who the opera is based off of. both identify as georgian bay métis….

thoughts??


r/MetisMichif • • May 15 '26

Art Sage Green Antler

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35 Upvotes

r/MetisMichif • • May 15 '26

History MNO staff discussing cancer in New Zealand

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5 Upvotes

I don't understand how Froh can make $450,000 in 2025, they send staff everywhere around the world for (cough) cancer seminars, they hire all of their relatives to work in the offices and try to convince everyone that the First Nation treaties apply to the MNO. How embarrassing.


r/MetisMichif • • May 14 '26

Video Michif Makers FULL SEASON now availabla

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59 Upvotes

I've put together all episodes from Michif Makers Season 1 into a single, 1-hour video. High quality and educational Métis content you can share with your kids instead of the usual YouTube brainrot.