List of Métis people

This is a partial list of Canadians who are Métis people.

The Métis are a specific group of people, primarily from Manitoba, Saskatchewan, Ontario, Quebec and Alberta, who have Indigenous (primarily Cree, Ojibwa) and European (primarily French) ancestry.^[1]^[2] They have a shared history and Michif language.

Prominent Métis

Historical

Howard Adams, Métis activist, author, and leader
Andre Beauchemin, Métis; First Member of the Legislative Assembly of Manitoba for St. Vital (French Party) 1870–1874. In November 1872, Beauchemin offered to resign his seat in the Manitoba assembly so that Riel could be elected in a by-election
Pierre Bottineau, Minnesota frontiersman, surveyor, diplomat and translator
Michel "Mitch" Bouyer, Métis of French Canadian and Sioux ancestry; interpreter and guide in the Old West; lead scout with the US Seventh Cavalry; died along with Lt.Col. George Armstrong Custer at the Battle of Little Bighorn on June 25, 1876
James P. Brady, Métis politician and activist
Pierre Delorme, Métis politician and activist. Elected as a Member of Parliament in 1871, defeated in 1874 and re-elected in 1878^[3]
Gabriel Dumont, Métis military leader during the North-West Rebellion
Cuthbert Grant, Métis political and military leader
James Isbister, was a Canadian Métis leader and he is considered to be the founder of the city of Prince Albert, Saskatchewan.
Josette Vieau Juneau, Métis "founding mother" of Milwaukee.
Thomas McKay, was a Metis farmer and political figure who was the first mayor of Prince Albert, Saskatchewan
John Norquay, Métis politician, Premier of Manitoba from 1878 to 1887
Malcolm Norris, Métis politician, activist, and leader. Norris was a founder and the first vice-president of the first Alberta Métis organization (1932) called the Association des Métis d’Alberta et des Territories du Nord-Ouest (Alberta Métis Association). In 1964, he headed the Métis Association of Northern Saskatchewan
Louis Riel, Métis leader who led the Red River Rebellion in 1869 - 1870, the provisional government of Rupert's Land, Manitoba's entry into Confederation in 1870; later led the North-West Rebellion in 1885^[4] Riel was elected three times to the House of Commons for Provencher riding; first, in the general election of 1873, the government subsequently resigned over the Pacific Scandal in November 1873. Riel was reelected in February 1874, then expelled, then ran in the subsequent by-election, was reelected and expelled again^[5]
Guillaume Sayer, a Métis fur trader whose trial was a turning point in the ending of the monopoly of the Hudson's Bay Company (HBC) of the fur trade in North America^[6]
Louis Schmidt, Métis politician, Riel's Secretary and, in their youth, Riel's classmate. Born in 1844 he was known as Louis Laferté until Bishop Taché changed it in 1858. Louis Schmidt made the first of numerous petitions on behalf of the Métis' to the federal government over rights to their lands and their call for proper political representation. See Louis Schmidt: A Forgotten Métis in Riel and the Métis Ed. A.S Lussier (1979) Manitoba Métis Federation Press

Architects

Douglas Cardinal, architect; of Métis and Blackfoot ancestry. He designed the Museum of Canadian History and did the building designs for the Oujé-Bougoumou community of the James Bay Cree. This work won the “We the People” United Nations Community Award^[7]

Artists and writers

Keith Barker, playwright
Katherine Boyer, Métis/Settler artist^[8]
Terril Calder, animator and artist
Joe Fafard (artist), Métis artist from Saskatchewan whose work has been featured across Canada and around the world
Sandra Birdsell, daughter of a Métis man and a Russian Mennonite woman; based her award-winning novel Children of the Day in part on her parents' experiences in Manitoba in the 1920s to 1950s
Robert Boyer (1948–2004); Métis Cree artist, best known for his politically charged "Blanket Statements" series of paintings^[9]
Maria Campbell, Métis writer and filmmaker; born in northern Saskatchewan in 1940; brought the struggles of modern-day Métis and Aboriginal people to the public through her breakthrough book, Halfbreed (1973), and the collaborative play, Jessica (1982); captured the sound and song of traditional stories through her work in dialect, Stories of the Road Allowance People (1996)^[10]
Laura de Jonge, Métis family advocate, corporate social responsibility practitioner, filmmaker and magazine founder
Cherie Dimaline, writer, was awarded the Anskohk Fiction Book of the Year Award in 2013
Danis Goulet, filmmaker
George R. D. Goulet, best-selling Métis author; books include The Trial of Louis Riel: Justice and Mercy Denied, The Metis: Memorable Events and Memorable Personalities, and The Métis in British Columbia: From Fur Trade Outposts to Colony
Matthew MacKenzie, playwright
Dylan Miner, Métis printmaker, writer and conceptual artist^[11]
Rick Rivet (born 1949), painter
Gregory Scofield, acclaimed poet, beadwork artist, dramatist, non-fiction writer, activist and educator^[12]
Jesse Thistle, academic and writer
Kamala Todd, community planner, filmmaker, curator
Loretta Todd, filmmaker, producer, cultural theorist
Venus, drag performer
Katherena Vermette, writer
Rhayne Vermette, filmmaker
Christine Welsh, documentary filmmaker and academic

Musicians

Arlette Alcock, musician, songwriter, and social activist
Celeigh Cardinal, singer-songwriter
iskwē, singer-songwriter^[13]
Berk Jodoin, singer-songwriter
Jani Lauzon, musician
Andrea Menard, actress, playwright, and singer
Amanda Rheaume, singer-songwriter
Sister Ray, singer-songwriter
Laura Vinson, musician
Ruby Waters, musician

Politicians, activists, lawyers, physicians and judges

André Beauchemin, politician in Manitoba
Rod Bruinooge, member of Parliament, Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Indian Affairs & Northern Development, and Federal Interlocutor for Métis and Non-Status Indians
Brian Bowman, mayor of Winnipeg
Thelma J Chalifoux, first Indigenous woman appointed to the Senate of Canada, established Michif Cultural and Resource Institute^[14]
Clément Chartier, president of the World Council of Indigenous Peoples
David Chartrand, leader of the Manitoba Metis Federation^[15]
Bertha Clark-Jones, Cree-Métis activist and Royal Canadian Air Force member
Todd Ducharme, first Métis judge appointed to the Ontario Superior Court of Justice
Shelly Glover, member of Parliament and Parliamentary Secretary for Official Languages
Carole James, leader of the British Columbia New Democratic Party
Rick Laliberte, member of Parliament
Glen McCallum, president of Métis Nation—Saskatchewan^[16]^[17]
Bob McLeod, member of the Legislative Assembly of the Northwest Territories
D'Arcy McNickle, writer, Native American activist, college professor and administrator, and anthropologist
Gerald Morin, president of the Métis National Council and the Métis Nation—Saskatchewan
Derrick O'Keefe, Rabble.ca editor; Canadian anti-war movement leader
Dan Vandal, member of Parliament and Parliamentary Secretary for Indigenous Services

Military

Francis Godon, member of the Royal Winnipeg Rifles during the Second World War

Henry Norwest, First World War sniper

Sports

Calen Addison, professional ice hockey player for the Minnesota Wild
Arron Asham, professional ice hockey player

René Bourque, professional ice hockey player
Sharon Bruneau, bodybuilder and fitness model
Kyle Chipchura, professional ice hockey player
Connor Dewar, professional ice hockey player for the Toronto Maple Leafs
Kerri Einarson, national curling champion
Theoren Fleury, professional ice hockey player
Terry Fox, creator of Marathon of Hope
Travis Hamonic, professional ice hockey player for the Ottawa Senators
Dwight King, professional ice hockey player
Heather Mandoli, Canadian Olympic rower
Anthony Carelli, professional wrestler (known as Santino Marella)
Vic Mercredi, Atlanta Flames first round draft pick
Kevin O'Toole, 1996 North American light heavyweight bodybuilding champion
Wade Redden, NHL defenceman
Sheldon Souray, NHL defenceman
Bryan Trottier, NHL Hall of Fame centre

Others

Siera Bearchell, winner of Miss Universe Canada 2016
Tantoo Cardinal, actress
Roseanne Supernault, actress
Zoe Todd, academic

Notes

^ "Métis Nation". Library Archives Canada. 15 October 2013.
^ "Métis Homeland - Rupertsland Institute". www.rupertsland.org. Retrieved 2021-07-24.
^ Barkwell, Lawrence. https://www.scribd.com/document/324121091/Metis-Members-of-the-Legislative-Assembly-of-Manitoba
^ Reasonable doubts may be raised about whether either of these events was a rebellion. For example, the actions considered rebellious in 1869 were undertaken by Riel as the leader of a government recognized by Canada as in legitimate control of territory that did not belong to Canada; Canada negotiated the Manitoba Act with this government. After these "rebellions", land speculators and other non-Métis effectively deprived the Métis of land by exploiting a government program for its purchase, with the government perhaps turning a blind eye. The province of Alberta distributed land to Métis in 1938 to correct what it believed to be an inequity, but Saskatchewan and Manitoba have not followed Alberta's lead.
^ "Biography – RIEL, LOUIS (1844-85) – Volume XI (1881-1890) – Dictionary of Canadian Biography".
^ "Encyclopedia of the Great Plains | PIERRE-GUILLAUME SAYER TRIAL". plainshumanities.unl.edu. Retrieved 2021-07-10.
^ Douglas Cardinal, Metis Architect
^ "About". Katherine Boyer. Retrieved 2021-07-25.
^ Jacoby-Smith, Jennifer. "The Painterly Life of Bob Boyer." University of Saskatchewan: Green and White. Winter 2005 (retrieved 23 November 2009)
^ Maclean's, September 8, 2005.
^ "Membership." Archived 2006-04-20 at the Wayback Machine Aboriginal Curatorial Collective. (retrieved 13 February 2010)
^ Barkwell, Lawrence. http://www.metismuseum.ca/media/document.php/13481.Gregory%20Scofield.pdf
^ Loo, Olivea (15 December 2023). "The blue sky woman "Iskwē" performs new music live in Toronto". 106.5 ELMNT FM Toronto (CFPT-FM). Retrieved 25 February 2024.
^ Derworiz, Colette (6 October 2017). "Thelma Chalifoux was the first Métis woman to serve in Canada's Senate". The Globe and Mail.
^ "Manitoba government has 'clearly abandoned' Métis people, says federation". CBC News, November 17, 2015.
^ "Newly elected Métis Nation of Sask. president optimistic for future". CTV Saskatoon. Bell Media. 28 May 2017. Retrieved 2 June 2021.
^ D'Andrea, Jeff (30 May 2021). "McCallum re-elected as MN-S president; full election results". paNOW. Pattison Media. Retrieved 2 June 2021.

[1] "Métis Nation". Library Archives Canada. 15 October 2013.

[2] "Métis Homeland - Rupertsland Institute". www.rupertsland.org. Retrieved 2021-07-24.

[3] Barkwell, Lawrence. https://www.scribd.com/document/324121091/Metis-Members-of-the-Legislative-Assembly-of-Manitoba

[4] Reasonable doubts may be raised about whether either of these events was a rebellion. For example, the actions considered rebellious in 1869 were undertaken by Riel as the leader of a government recognized by Canada as in legitimate control of territory that did not belong to Canada; Canada negotiated the Manitoba Act with this government. After these "rebellions", land speculators and other non-Métis effectively deprived the Métis of land by exploiting a government program for its purchase, with the government perhaps turning a blind eye. The province of Alberta distributed land to Métis in 1938 to correct what it believed to be an inequity, but Saskatchewan and Manitoba have not followed Alberta's lead.

[5] "Biography – RIEL, LOUIS (1844-85) – Volume XI (1881-1890) – Dictionary of Canadian Biography".

[6] "Encyclopedia of the Great Plains | PIERRE-GUILLAUME SAYER TRIAL". plainshumanities.unl.edu. Retrieved 2021-07-10.

[7] Douglas Cardinal, Metis Architect

[8] "About". Katherine Boyer. Retrieved 2021-07-25.

[9] Jacoby-Smith, Jennifer. "The Painterly Life of Bob Boyer." University of Saskatchewan: Green and White. Winter 2005 (retrieved 23 November 2009)

[10] Maclean's, September 8, 2005.

[11] "Membership." Archived 2006-04-20 at the Wayback Machine Aboriginal Curatorial Collective. (retrieved 13 February 2010)

[12] Barkwell, Lawrence. http://www.metismuseum.ca/media/document.php/13481.Gregory%20Scofield.pdf

[13] Loo, Olivea (15 December 2023). "The blue sky woman "Iskwē" performs new music live in Toronto". 106.5 ELMNT FM Toronto (CFPT-FM). Retrieved 25 February 2024.

[14] Derworiz, Colette (6 October 2017). "Thelma Chalifoux was the first Métis woman to serve in Canada's Senate". The Globe and Mail.

[15] "Manitoba government has 'clearly abandoned' Métis people, says federation". CBC News, November 17, 2015.

[16] "Newly elected Métis Nation of Sask. president optimistic for future". CTV Saskatoon. Bell Media. 28 May 2017. Retrieved 2 June 2021.

[17] D'Andrea, Jeff (30 May 2021). "McCallum re-elected as MN-S president; full election results". paNOW. Pattison Media. Retrieved 2 June 2021.

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v t e Métis people
Modern Governments	Métis Nation British Columbia Métis Nation of Alberta Métis Nation—Saskatchewan Métis Nation of Ontario Manitoba Métis Federation Northwest Territory Métis Nation Turtle Mountain Band of Chippewa Indians Métis Settlements General Council (Alberta)
Historic Governments	Legislative Assembly of Assiniboia (1870) (Red River Colony) Council of St. Laurent (1873–1878) (Southbranch Settlement) Exovedate (1885) (Southbranch Settlement)
Organizations	Métis National Council (Canada-wide) North Slave Métis Alliance Congress of Aboriginal Peoples (Canada-wide) Alberta Métis Federation Vancouver Métis Community Association Union nationale métisse Saint-Joseph du Manitoba
History	Indian trade Scottish Fur trade Marriage Pemmican War Pemmican Proclamation (1814) Battle of Seven Oaks (1816) The National Committee of the Métis (est. 1864) Red River Rebellion (1869–1870) North-West Rebellion (1885) Southbranch Settlement Half-Breed Tract Nemaha Half-Breed Reservation Powley ruling (2003) Daniels ruling (2016)
Society	Canadian Métis in Alberta US Métis Anglo-Métis Bois-Brûlés People Métis Population Betterment Act List of settlements in Alberta Metis Child and Family Services Society Gabriel Dumont Institute
Culture	Bungi Chinook Jargon Hivernants Métis French Michif Flag Métis fiddle Métis buffalo hunt Red River Jig