We know who we are: five generations of Métis resilience | Emerald UnRuh

We know who we are: five generations of Métis resilience | Emerald UnRuh | TEDxSFU

Рет қаралды 13,468

3 жыл бұрын

“We are known by so many names. Métis. Half-Breed. Michif. Otipemisiwak. Bois-Brûlés. The Free People. The People Who Own Themselves. The Flower Beadwork People. Half-Burnt Men. The Road Allowance People. The Forgotten People. All of these names speak to the fact that we are a strong People. We are a people in charge of ourselves. We are a resilient people. We are still here. We know who we are.”
In her TEDxSFU Talk, Emerald explores the nuance of Métis identity, following the arc her family stories across space and time to share an experience that is distinctly Métis, emphasizing the commonality, kinship, and values held in and shared by Métis stories. Emerald is a fourth year undergraduate student from Pitt Meadows, British Columbia, who is currently studying Indigenous Studies and Political Science at Simon Fraser University as a Terry Fox Humanitarian Scholar. She is a proud Cree-Métis woman, and is passionate about progressive politics, decolonization, and social change. In the past, Emerald has applied her passion and commitment to reconciliation and Indigenous empowerment to her work within Natural Resources Canada, the Vancity Community Foundation, the City of Surrey, the Māori Law Review, and several Métis communities across Canada. In addition to holding the 2015 Si:Yam Cultural leadership award, Emerald was recently named a 2020 Métis Youth Role Model by the Métis Nation of British Columbia. This talk was given at a TEDx event using the TED conference format but independently organized by a local community. Learn more at www.ted.com/tedx

Пікірлер: 97

@jodibremner4786 3 ай бұрын

Maarsi Emerald for your words!!! So happy to watch this, and I am crying tears for my ancestors (as I so often do). Kinanaskomitin ♥️

@cathiegostelow1343 3 жыл бұрын

Thank you for sharing with us Emerald......and continuing to teach us who the Metis are.

@domg.1011 Жыл бұрын

Glad to hear the mention of hidden Métis. People who hushed the big parts of their culture to hide among the majority but kept the small things that could easily be hidden. The Métis who only have the quiet parts of their culture. Who are now able to rediscover the bigger parts of their culture even though they did not grow up with it.

@latenitetubing Жыл бұрын

Lovely description thank you 🙏

@domg.1011 Жыл бұрын

@@latenitetubing Santé

@cmwish Жыл бұрын

Beautiful beautiful talk! Thank you so much. My late father was "white passing" Metis. His ancestors were from the Orkneys.

@lorritaylor5575 2 жыл бұрын

Thank you Emerald for your generosity in sharing your story and educating us on who we are as Métis amd to be proud of who we are❤️

@jaysoncowan5763 Жыл бұрын

As always Metis are pretty much all related. Cool talk cousin. (Sanderson side of the family). Some of us have stories of being called Indian in school and having to fight every day. OTIPEMISIWAK's proper translation is "the unruly". We had to fight because the white people called us Indian and the Indian called us half-breed.

@rsutton06 7 ай бұрын

I agree with almost everything. We are cousins 😂 I’m from the Bellehumeur part of the family. The government is the one who called us half-breed. That’s how they officially referred to us. They also told us we were not welcomed by our Indigenous cousins. This is not true. The Métis were considered cousins or half-siblings by Indigenous peoples. We were part of the Iron Confederacy along with the Cree, Assiniboine, Saulteaux and Haudenosaunee. I ask you to consider that the story of rejection on all sides is one made by those who want you to fee separate and alone because it would suit their goals. We were rejected by white culture certainly, but not by Indigenous people.

@Redpony669 6 ай бұрын

True unless ur on the lighter side sometimes

@dianagagne1536 9 ай бұрын

maarsii , kishkayhta , rispay lii zoot , bonn ouvraazh!!🌻🌻🌻

@SaltySteff Жыл бұрын

Very cool. I'm from the Dusome-Clermont, Cadotte/Giroux and Labatte/Solomon lines. 4 distinct Metis root ancestors who were part of the 1828 Drummond Island Migration to Penetanguishene in Ontario. My 4th great grandfather Francois was born in Fort Garry in 1822, the year it became Red River. My family had left Manitoba decades before Louis Riel and Batoche, but we developed an important Metis community in Penetang that continues today. My 3rd great grandfather Pierre Spenard was a signatory in the 1840 Metis Petition in Penetang, and his wife received a land grant from the government due to her Ottawa parentage, along with hundreds of other Metis and First Nations throughout the 1840s. My great grandmother was deeply connected to her roots, although she died when I was young so I didnt know her well. The Metis are a fascinating group and it's a shame there's still so much misinformation and erasure of Metis culture and identity. I'm tired of being called "fake Indians". First of all, my grandmothers in the 1800s who were Menominee, Cree, Salteaux, Sioux and Ojibwe would severely object to that assertion. Also, I'm not an Indian, nor do I identify as one. I identify as Metis, which I am. We have a mixture of Indian and European roots that developed into a distinct culture. Their children, my great grandfathers, retained most of the culture of their mothers; they spoke Michif/French until they had to learn English as a necessity to survive in an increasingly European society. They retained the cultural practices of their ancestors for generations, until they were sent to Residential Schools and any connection to their heritage was lost forever. Now, as a new generation of people who are reclaiming our history that was lost, it's our duty as Metis to reclaim our culture. Relearn our languages, and bring back the customs of our families.

@janeyrowland3642 2 жыл бұрын

Maarsii for your good work, my friend! Beautifully done.

@stevemorrison5551 2 жыл бұрын

Tawnshi Cousin, It makes me happy to hear our stories and see a strong Metis woman. Head high and may Creator watch over you. Pishshapmishko/Take Care

@lorenzwinterhoff8049 3 жыл бұрын

Emerald, thank you for sharing your story.

@MsPassionate01 2 жыл бұрын

Thank you for sharing your story, Emerald.

@SEESEP Жыл бұрын

Thank you for your stories. I am a Cree man and your story has opened my eyes. My wife is an herbalist and she shared with me recently how important dandelions are to our ecosystem. They are way more predominant than people realize. They don't show up out of nowhere for no reason, they serve a far greater purpose., yet everyone just brushes them off as worthless. The story you ended with has far more significance and is a perfect way to describe the Métis people and every person in general. Thank you again.

@hhhhhhhhhhheee 3 жыл бұрын

I am metis, and unfortunately I do not have enough information about my culture or family which I have been struggling to discover recently. I am always explaining my status and how I could possibly be indigenous because I am clearly white skinned. This was very insightful. Thank you!

@justinfendelet8675 3 жыл бұрын

if you are METIS NATION a parent(s) would have and always been Metis Nation if your talking you have 4 Ukrainian or German grandparents then you "Herd you have a,long ago ansestry from 1650s no no no.....if your from the red River should be a,easy deal as your mom or dad know your gramps or gramma would be from....

@hhhhhhhhhhheee 3 жыл бұрын

@@justinfendelet8675 my family is from the red river. Just because I have family alive, doesn’t mean they know a lot about their culture.

@justinfendelet8675 2 жыл бұрын

if your Metis there's a Census anyone can look up on any internet search if you cant look at your parent and know hes Metis Nation ...its not Hard and it alll on record...you have a Metis Parent well he/she comes from a Metis Nation Parent himself ?and on the census of the late1800s and 1902 census so on that census will be you Grampa or Great Grampa good luck....

@samanthamitchellprete5646 2 жыл бұрын

@@justinfendelet8675 there are thousands of indigenous people who dont know anything about there culture and or people....especially if they have been adopted out...

@niamtxiv 2 жыл бұрын

You're white

@roxannhawley3583 2 жыл бұрын

I just connected the dots of who my Metis ancestors were. Because of my genealogy, by looking at the dates, locations spoken about my ancestors by my grandmother's mother, etc... My life has been one of a constant theme of dualities. I am nearly 70 winters now, and have l found many answers in my journey this far. Crossing into adulthood I had to answer the question of identity --since I am both white looking, but raised tribally (all my sibs are beautifully skinned-- no mistaking their ethnicity)!! --Which way was I going to go? First Nations or White? Today, I know that many like me face a similar crisis crossing into adulthood... For me, (being "traditional") the answers found me through prayer and vision quest, --and it was this:.--- I am both! And I do not have to "choose". The Great Spirit brought me here to bless The People. You have blessed me, today.❤️

@UwU-Crew 5 ай бұрын

Emerald just reached into my soul Gabor Maté style. I feel so validated and now I’m crying like a big baby. Thank you, Emerald. I will never forget what you said.💙♾️❤

@indigenousin-couragement9891 2 жыл бұрын

Thank you for posting this encouraging message!

@typhanychoinard2887 3 жыл бұрын

I love this. Thank you

@ninaearth4292 3 жыл бұрын

Thank you for this 💓

@IrenePorcu-sw2uk Жыл бұрын

Thank you for sharing it's educating

@adellesium3404 3 жыл бұрын

phenomenally done 👌🏾👌🏾

@justinfendelet8675 3 жыл бұрын

Louis RIEL IS my 5th cousin I'm from the Lajimodiere's Blood line

@adaml5851 Жыл бұрын

No one cares.

@OnwardsUpwards Жыл бұрын

Nice !

@coyoteferns 3 жыл бұрын

I cried!

@juliecarnevali5534 2 жыл бұрын

So cool to know your ancestry that far back!!

@rainadawnlutz 2 жыл бұрын

Thank you for sharing your story. Very impactful. ❤

@crystaleaston2282 3 жыл бұрын

I stand with you! Thank you for a life affirming story... This eases the hurt & insult from seeing Nanaimo public school district host Seb Malette "as an indigenous speaker" last week.

@justinfendelet8675 3 жыл бұрын

that Mallette is a liar pants on fire ...Darryl Leroux has set him straight insulting that he speaks for Metis Nation when hes FETIS NATION ....How can he be invited WTH

@jwh0122 Жыл бұрын

4:56 how Louis Riel is described in Canadian education 12:16 different names

@zanzibarandgrill6484 Жыл бұрын

The Métis here in Manitoba are kind of like Filipinos and Indonesian people in that they prefer a more Caucasian appearance. We were recently in a conversation with some people in the Interlake region and one of the people there said they were Métis. Someone not from the area said 'oh I can see that you might have native blood'. That comment was not well received but all the other Métis in the room laughed their asses off.

@tvismyonlyfriend Жыл бұрын

Manitoba is home of the Métis forsure very unique for that

@santavyg 3 жыл бұрын

I have Bellehumeur 1836, Marguerite Moreau 1797, Louis Flammand 1828 In my line, think we have a connection Crystal maybe we can connect?

@HoosierHmstrdr94 2 жыл бұрын

You verbally punched me in the gut when you said that awful word "squaw". The word today would be referred to in English as "the C-word". It's most derogatory and only to be used when educating non-natives what the word actually means. Good job on your TedX! Keep it up, young one. Miigwetch!

@autumnlheureux4231 Жыл бұрын

Nice. I’m lucky to I was able to trace my family over 3 years. I’m Monette dit Belhumeur Grant & Little Shell I was my 5th great grandfather…,we didn’t know our stories, only that we were native. But no details. I didn’t know our family story was so rich. We had a rumor of being related to a chief, yes we are! I get to chief little Shell I through his daughter my 4th great gram Josephte. And yup it’s a very dimensional identity. Riel is in. my uncle line. I wish I had grown up knowing all this, but I’m glad I know now, and I’ve reconnected to my Monette family…our leadership quality has been passed down in many ways. Military, lawyer, manager, stage manager, and clergy.

@BlackHaus1 11 ай бұрын

I was able to trace my paternal line to Maron dit Lenoir 1785 quebec

@rochellespeare4473 25 күн бұрын

Hello everyone does anybody understand what the sashes for?

@daleparker4207 Жыл бұрын

I am told I am metis. But with my mix being from New Brunswick, I'm told I'm not. Very confusing. Thank you.

@domg.1011 Жыл бұрын

I can help! So the Métis are a specific community from a specific point in time & of a specific culture. You are not Métis, but you are still of mixed heritage & you still deserve your own community as a metissé person. I don't know what word your community would like to call yourselves & I am not of that community so I cannot give you a name. Most mixed people in the east either assimilated into european or native communities, not having made your own community like the Métis nation. Another example of non-Métis Métis people: lots of scotts took their indigenous "wives" back to scotland & there are actually a lot of ppl with native american heritage in scotland. They are also not part of the Métis nation, but still deserve their own community. Like, here's another thing about being Métis: My brother is not Métis. I am. Why? He does not take part in our culture as deeply as I. He has not put in the effort to actively be Métis & he does not self-identify as Métis. I do. That's why I'm Métis. Métis is more than "I have some native blood," it is a **culture**

@daleparker4207 Жыл бұрын

@@domg.1011 very informative. Well said. Thank you.

@domg.1011 Жыл бұрын

@@daleparker4207 No worries. Good luck mon zaamii!

@kabillothelastpawn196 3 жыл бұрын

right

@felipeperez2991 Жыл бұрын

150 million Mexicans in Mexico 30million in the US all mestizos Mexicans intentionally created a population explosion so that the race would not die. Métis must celebrate the culture of life and grow the population. That is an ancient belief of the Aztec/ Mexican people the people might change in complexion but the culture is passed down generation to generation!!!! ☀️ 🌵🇲🇽🌵

@K-9Gar 7 ай бұрын

That sound familiar we may be cousins

@cjgirard121 10 ай бұрын

Yea, Just because someone has no native blood doesn't mean they're not native.

@matthewmann8969 2 жыл бұрын

Metis And Inuits were given advantages that First Nations lacked

@joieesophia9652 2 жыл бұрын

this tedtalk isn't about that, if you want to hear about hardships of a certain tribe, by all means go watch a video about that. metis have been excluded by both full blooded natives and white people alike, inuit have to pay loads for a bag of groceries + their habitat is beginning to shrink w ice melt

@lulaalder8254 2 жыл бұрын

@@joieesophia9652 I was genuinely astounded to find out that despite everything that they went through, the Constitutional Act refused to recognize them for so long! It's so counterintuitive. How can you withhold land from someone until they marry a European settler, and then deny the rights of the children legally? This country has so much explaining to do. I'm seriously upset to find how many atrocities were committed and normalized for far too long.

@matthewmann8969 2 жыл бұрын

@@joieesophia9652 Yeah but First Nations, Inuits, And Metis are all different groups they are of different races or ethnicities just like how The Han Chinese are different from The Taiwanese Aboriginals And Koreans different from Austronesians yeah.

@billyisenor9581 Жыл бұрын

Like what exactly?

@MrCraigBlake Жыл бұрын

Metis is the consequence of European arrival. Metis is recognized as an aboriginal group in Canada, the Inuit, the First Nations, and the Metis. Metis is not aboriginal (original occupiers of the land). To say that Metis is aboriginal is to say that the Europeans were here mixing with First Nations, prior to the European's arrival. It's a logical fallacy. Inuit and First Nations are the only two aboriginal groups in Canada, as they were the only two groups here prior to the European arrival.

@domg.1011 Жыл бұрын

True. But the Métis nation is native to canada & only canada. So while we are not the original occupiers of the land, we are still native to canada. One of the reasons I don't actually like calling myself indigenous. I've heard some ppl use the term "post-contact indigenous people" or smth like that if you think it is a better term

@Redpony669 6 ай бұрын

The metis predates canada it was called ruperts land in manitoba and my ancestors used to go into the what's is now the United States. I am proud to say we the manitoba metis federation is taking that into consideration with its 'beyond borders' members. That I am a member of

@stephennelson4964 5 ай бұрын

My dad is Scottish and my mother is cree and Métis, my father’s great grandma was coast Salish while not mixing again till my mother (he identities as white and carries the same thought as you though he tans like a plains man and his dad shared some features with his native grandmother) I am First Nations and I have ties to the red River settlement as a direct descendent of Gabriel Dumont, my grand father (mother side) almost exclusively spoke cree and my grandmother (his wife) grew up on a Métis settlement. I sometimes get upset with Métis people who scream they deserve more hunting rights than status First Nations have, I appreciate the culture and I do not see white fathers canceling out native mothers while choosing to live off the land and respect their ways. I think identity and culture doesn’t have to be validated by anyone but family and that culture when it comes to Métis rights and everything it’s a mess I view the Métis card in Canada as the “my family paid for this or I use my great great grandma and have 0 connection” it’s a hard one but you seeing them as a consequence is exactly why they’re a people I guess, if it’s a consequence for anyone is a consequence for the colonizer haha.

@gonzalovalencia7866 Жыл бұрын

In Latin America 90% of the population we are Metis

@yusefnegao 8 ай бұрын

Exactly lol

@sweiland75 2 жыл бұрын

If you don't know what Métis means as a collective then why adopt the label?

@parapoliticos52 7 ай бұрын

Native Americans.. Sure ..

@maximeschmitt2094 Жыл бұрын

Métis who speak neither Mitchif nor French are just ENGLISH Canadians.

@domg.1011 Жыл бұрын

(Scottish Métis & English Métis lookin like) But legit, to a degree you are correct. Métis is a culture & language is a huge part of culture. It is, however, not the only part of culture. I honestly really see a division between ethnically "Métis" & *culturally* Métis people.

@latenitetubing Жыл бұрын

It’s called Anglo-Métis actually ❤

@niamtxiv 3 жыл бұрын

Fake natives lol

@MasiukA 2 жыл бұрын

You don't understand what Metis is.

@niamtxiv 2 жыл бұрын

@@MasiukA metis is Mestizos. Being mixed does not make you indigenous. These people are simply white people that hate their white side and gravitate toward indigenous because of their white guilts

@MasiukA 2 жыл бұрын

@@niamtxiv Lol ok bro. Metis is actually an ethnic group and meets all criteria for being one (having a culture, language, history, kinship, homeland, distinct political and economic consciousness, etc). There were Metis historically with as low as 1/32 blood quantum who recognized themselves and were recognized by "full natives" and whites as Indigenous people. Knock it off with this blood quantum, racialized nonsense. A person is Indigenous when recognized by their community and nation.

@niamtxiv 2 жыл бұрын

@@MasiukA like that white lady that came out fraudulent in Canada claiming to be indigenous. Maybe in Canada, you Metis can claim your fraudulent identity but in United States, you're not indigenous.

@MasiukA 2 жыл бұрын

@@niamtxiv Carrie Bourassa had zero indigenous ancestry. How is that a comparison at all when her claim was simply fake? "you aren't Indigenous in the US" - lol many things wrong with that statement. 1. Colonial governments do not define indigeneity 2. Metis traditional territory only includes a few parts of Montana and North Dakota 3. In those communities, Metis are recognized under local Indian tribes: Little Shell Chippewa and Turtle Mountain Ojibwe. Most of those members are actually Metis whose ancestors are from Manitoba.