In the 1990’s, my family was given access to Manitoba Metis membership through the Manitoba Métis Federation. I don’t know how or why we were invited to apply, and I didn’t question it.
It was assumed that because of my mother’s French Canadian lineage – her father was Henri Simard & her mother Martine Coté – there must have been Métis ancestors. I assumed the MMF would have verified our ancestry using historical archives, in these pre-internet days, since they were the ones giving out the memberships.
Along with others in my family, I applied for and received membership in 1993. They welcomed me, and I was proud to be part of the Métis community. For more than 25 years I remained on the MMF registry, and identified as Métis. Until just a few years ago, when the MMF cancelled all memberships and requested anyone wanting to renew to provide proof of Indigenous ancestry.
During all my years of membership, I was never asked for proof of ancestry. And to be honest, I never thought about it. This began to raise questions in my immediate family, and among our Simard/Cote cousins. Were we Métis? Had anyone done a search? Did anyone even know for sure??
Looking to family tree for answers
Since nobody knew for certain if we had Indigenous heritage… one of my sisters decided to initiate a genealogical search. It took nearly a year to complete, undertaken by the St. Boniface Historical Society. Revealing our lineage all the way back to Quebec, and further still – tracing my mother’s family back to the 1700s in France. Confirming that we are very, very French. With zero Indigenous ancestors in my family tree.
Knowing this now, I cannot in good faith or good conscience continue to say that I am Métis. It also poses questions for the Manitoba Métis Federation, as to why we were given membership cards in the first place. It makes me wonder how many other families were wrongfully granted membership during the same era.
Finding myself compelled to speak the truth about this today, I’m publicly rescinding previous claims made to being Métis. From the bottom of my heart, I am deeply sorry. I never intended to hurt anyone, or to take anything from anyone. My belief was that I had Indigenous ancestors, and felt connected to the culture. I was proud to call myself part of the Manitoba Metis membership and community. I wanted to help make a difference.
Big part of my life
During my studies at Red River College, and time spent as the Vice President Student Affairs in 1994, I helped start the school’s first Aboriginal Education Advisory Committee. As a young entrepreneur starting my own company, I joined the Aboriginal Chamber of Commerce and served on the marketing committee.
I assisted with efforts to get Indigenous events off the ground, like the inaugural national Aboriginal Peoples’ Choice Music Awards, and Winnipeg’s Manito Ahbee Festival. I am proud to have been part of many Indigenous initiatives, and to help drive and encourage change.
Learning now that I am not Métis is devastating. It has caused me to question what I believed about myself, after claiming a community that was not mine. It has hurt a lot of people, and continues to create divide in my family.
While I cannot change the past (as much as I wish I could) all I can do is make my own difference however I can. To speak up and share the truth, and provide restitution in my own ways. Help create opportunities for others, and support a few initiatives. I am committing to using my future to make amends for past wrongs.
I will continue to be an ally, a helper, a supporter, a colleague, and a friend, to Indigenous people. But I will no longer call myself Métis. Because what was once a lingering question in my life has now been definitively answered.
