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Canadian Cataloguing in Publication Data

Redbird, Duke 1939 We Are Metis, a Metis View of the Development of A Native Canadian People.
ISBN 0-919181-00-7 bd. ISBN 0-919181-01-5 pa.PS FC 109R42 9~1'.00497 C80-094553-0 F1035-M47R42

Published by Ontario Metis & Non Status Indian Association
Manufactured by: Williams-Wallace Productions Int'l Inc. 229 College Street, Toronto, Ontario M5T IR4, Canada
Printed and Bound in Canada.

TABLE OF CONTENTS
INTRODUCTION History of the Metis The Modern Metis Acknowledgements	Chapter 1 THE GENESIS OF THE METIS Who are the Metis? In The Beginning The Frontier Thesis The Metis Challenge	Chapter 2 THE INVISIBLE CIVILIZATION The Genetic Blueprint A Natural Civilization Adaptation to Change
Chapter 3 THE GREAT WHITE SWINDLE The Kingdom of Canada The Selling of a Lifestyle From Self-Identification to Self-Determination The New Nation The Betrayal of a Dream	Chapter 4 THE MODERN METIS The Limbo Years The Decade of the Radical Energy-The New Gold of The North	Chapter 5 ABORIGINAL RIGHTS AND LAND CLAIMS Aboriginal Rights-The Issue Aboriginal Rights-The Facts Aboriginal Metis Claims
Chapter 6 MODERN METIS CONSCIOUSNESS The Cultural Initiative Media and the Role Model Raising Metis Consciousness Base For Tomorrow	CONCLUSIONS Summary of Metis Perspective The Reality of the Metis Myth The Reality of Metis Reality	APPENDIX The Declaration of the People of Rupert's Land Metis Association of Alberta Brief Native Council of Canada Brief Dene Declaration - A Statement of Rights
References	Bibliography	T o Next Homepage Screen

INTRODUCTION

There is a unique native view of history that is absent from white historical writings about the Metis; white historians have had a racist bias that expresses itself in various forms. This book is an examination of Metis history that proves that the Metis are in a strong moralÛand legalÛposition to demand their aboriginal rights and recognition of their major role as a founder of Canadian confederation. The modern-day Metis are developing a self-awareness and self-determination that promises the creation of a new Metis nation in Canada.

HISTORY OF THE METIS

The history of the Metis from the mid-1600's to the present is explored to develop a case against the traditional frontier explanation which states that the Metis people were doomed to extinction because they were a static, primitive society, unable to face the changes of an advancing, sophisticated, white civilization. Partly by reading between the lines of primary sources, and partly by stating events from a native view or perspective, it becomes obvious that the Metis were not only a strong and viable civilization, superior in many respects to that of the eastern whites, but that, in terms of political concepts and organization, they were decades ahead of their time. Their society was dispersed, not by the advance of a superior culture, but by the callous and legalistic exploitation of a people by a small band of fortune-hunting carpetbaggers.

THE MODERN METIS

The book concludes with a description of the development of a new kind of Metis in the 20th century, and their fight to establish their place in Canadian society. The strengths and weaknesses of their organizations and tactics are analyzed, and a program of consciousness raising among the Metis themselves is outlined, both as a method for uniting a people, and as a technique for establishing the recognition of the Metis as one of the founding peoples of modern Canada.

Duke Redbird

We would like to acknowledge the generous support of the Ministry of Culture and Recreation-Government of Ontario.

ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS

This book is the result of the faith, inspiration, energy and dedication of a small group of very special people. Edgar Dosman, who encouraged me to seek the unseekable and opened the possibilities of academic achievement to me. David Bell, who inspired me along every step of the way and whose energy, patience and deep friendship guided me through rough waters. Christopher Innis and Robert Adolph, whose faith in my abilities remained constant . . . and finally to, Marty Dunn, life-long friend and confidant, whose organization and research skills were unstintingly shared during the last crucial months, and to my wife Anita who spent long hours typing and editing the final draft of this thesis.

. . .a very special and heartfelt thanks.

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