As the title of this site implies, the emphasis ofthe information presented here will be related to those Métis whoare not represented by the better known Canadian prairie Métis organizationsand their national organization, the Metis National Council. It is these"other" Métis who most need the opportunity to present theircase. For a brief explanation of this terminology see SiteTitle

Since its inception almost five years ago, The OtherMetis site has become a focal point for wide range of people who are usingthe site at a rate of up to 85,000 hits per month.  Most are individualsof Aboriginal ancestry looking for information that will help them makesense of that fact in their lives.  Many are researchers -- academic,political, government and media -- who are looking for background materials. And some are from other Métis organizations who are wondering whatwe are up to.  All are welcome.

The most unexpected users -- in terms of numbers --have been American mixed blood people who are descended from Canadian Métiswho moved to the U.S. in the thousands over the last two hundred years.They look with admiration and not a little envy at their Canadian counsinswho, from the American point of view, seem to have achieved so much interms of recognition as an Aboriginal people.  They are also lookingfor support and advice as to how they can achieve that recognition fromtheir own state and federal governments.

The site has grown in a pretty topsy-turvy way andhas become way too complex to be easily explored in an intuitive way soa revised help page , a separate contentspage  a what's new page  and asite search engine is now provided. Between the three utilities I hope it is possible to find what you arelooking for more easily.  The original indexscreen is still available for those who prefer a single screen accesspoint.

If some links on the site don't work or you can't findsomething you think should  be here, dropme a line and I'll do my best to respond.
 

I was reminded recently that the phrase The "Other"Métis" also played a significant role in the 1992 Charlottetown Agreement process.  The Metis National Council (MNC) delegation wasproposing a Metis Nation Accord which included a restrictive definitionof Métis.  The Native Council of Canada delegation opposedthe Accord unless a non-derogation clause was included.   TheMNC produced a clause which prevented the Accord from affecting the rightsof other Aboriginal people.The NCC insisted that the phrase be extendedto say "including other Métis."  The MNC delegate adamantlyrefused, and the Accord subsequently did not achieve the government votes (the Federal Government and seven Provincial governments) necessary to become part of the Charlottetown Agreement.

I've noticed people from Saskatchewanare more likely to say "mitiss", or MET-iss" or "mi-TISS. I have been warnedthat "mitiss," in one Northern Saskatchewan dialect, also refers to a portionof the human anatomy where the sun never shines.

During the First Ministers Conferenceson Aboriginal Matters some people from the Maritimes pronounced it "May-Tay,"asif it were two words.

A Short Questionnaire -Results NOT Recorded

You might be suprised at the results of this shortquiz! 

There arethreemajor factorsor requirements which most Canadian Aboriginal groupsagree should be met by anyone who identifies himself or herself as a Métisperson. 

This questionnaireattemptsto walk you through that process. Whether or not you actually meet anyof the criteria, we hope it will give you a better understanding of someof the issues involved in determining Métis identity.