Métis people
mixed indigenous ethnic group of Canada and the US / From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
The Métis (pronounced 'maey-TEE' in English and 'may-tis' in French), also known historically as Bois Brule, mixed-bloods, or Countryborn (Anglo-Métis), are one of the three divisions of Aboriginal peoples in Canada. Their home land is part of Eastern British Columbia, Alberta, Saskatchewan, Manitoba, North Western Ontario, as well as the Northwest Territories. The Métis Homeland also includes parts of the northern United States (specifically Montana, North Dakota, and northwest Minnesota).
Total population | |
---|---|
307,848 1.041% of the Canadian population [1] regions=Canada, United States | |
Languages | |
English, French, Michif, Bungee (extinct) | |
Religion | |
Mostly Roman Catholic, Protestant [2] | |
Related ethnic groups | |
French, Cree, Ojibwa, Scots |
The Métis Nation are descendants the marriages of mainly Cree and Ojibwe Indigenous peoples with French, Scottish or English settlers. Their history starts in the 18th century in the Western Canada. Historically, many western Métis spoke a mixed language called Michif. Michif is the Métis pronunciation of Métis. The Métis today mostly speak English, with French as a strong second language, as well as many native languages. The use of Michif is growing again thanks to the work of the provincial Métis councils.
The word métis is a French word derived from métisser, and is slightly related to the Spanish word mestizo.