Metis

The Michif Historical & Cultural Preservation Society hosts the only Michif Métis Museum of its kind in BC and is solely dedicated to the preservation of the Michif Métis culture and traditions. The Cultural Centre is proud to display a few of their artifacts at our main location. 

The Métis are one of 3 Aboriginal Peoples recognized by the Canadian Constitution.  They are a mix of First Nations and people of European ancestry and are

distinct from First Nations, Inuit or non-Aboriginal peoples. The Métis history and culture draws on diverse ancestral

origins such as Ojibway and Cree, Scottish, Irish, and French. They are a proud nation whose history and traditions date back to the 1600’s. Their culture is a rich and vigorous one. The only Metis museum in BC is located in the Lower Mainland and the Aboriginal Cultural Centre is honoured to showcase a small part of the Metis Museum. Contact  for the museum is Mr. Dale Haggerty and Rev. Dale Haggerty, 250.676.0096 or e-mail: metismuseum@yahoo.ca

Metis People

In British Columbia, 232,290 people had an Aboriginal identity, representing 16.6% of the total Aboriginal population. 69,475 Métis in British Columbia (15.4%)   In The North Thompson Valley the Metis people make up (4.3%) .We are proud of our Culture and love to share our stories, knowledge, and traditions with all who are interested in learning more about the Metis Culture. We would love to share this with you at the Cultural Centre.

The Métis are recognized by the government as one of the recognized Aboriginal peoples in Canada. They developed as the mixed-race descendants of unions between, generally, First Nations women and European men, but over time there were more intermarriages within the group. The term historically described all mixed-race people of First Nations and European ancestry. Within generations in the 19th century, particularly in central and western Canada, a distinct Métis culture developed. Since the late 20th century, the Metis people have been recognized as an Aboriginal people, with formal recognition equal to that given to the Inuit and First Nations peoples.

The early mothers were usually Mi'kmaq, Algonquin, Saulteaux, Cree, Ojibwe, Menominee, or Maliseet, or of mixed descent from these peoples and Europeans. After New France was ceded to Great Britain's control, at one time there was an important distinction between French Métis born of francophone voyageur fathers, and the Anglo-Métis (known as "countryborn"') descended from English or Scottish fathers. Today these two cultures have essentially coalesced into one Métis tradition. Such mixed-race people were referred to by other terms, many of which are now considered to be offensive, such as Mixed-bloods, Half-breeds, Bois-Brûlés, Bungi, Black Scots, and Jackatars