Metis

History

Metis Flag

The Métis Flag is one of the olds flags in North America. Its origin is disputed. The flag was first documented use was by Métis resistance fighters prior to the Battle of Seven Oaks in 1816. It is the oldest Canadian patriotic flag indigenous to Canada. The Union Jack and the Royal Standard of New France bearing the fleur-de-lis are older, but these flags were first flown in Europe. As a symbol of nationhood, the Métis flag predates Canada's Maple Leaf flag by about 150 years! The flag bears a horizontal figure eight, or infinity symbol. The infinity symbol represents the coming together of two distinct and vibrant cultures, those of European and indigenous North America, to produce a distinctly new culture, the Métis. The flag symbolizes the creation of a new society with roots in both Aboriginal and European cultures and traditions. The sky blue background of the flag emphasizes the infinity symbol and suggests that the Métis people will exist forever.

The Métis flag has two variants: the more popular blue flag, and the red flag. Nobody knows why the early Métis chose these two color patterns for their flags. However, conjecture seems to indicate that the Métis created the blue and white infinity flag because these were the colors of the North West Company, the fur trading firm which employed most of the French Michif speaking Métis. The blue Métis infinity flag bears a striking resemblance to the blue and white flag of St. Andrew, the national flag of Scotland. The blue and white colors of the Métis flag are also the traditional colors of French Canada, as seen on the provincial of Quebec. That the creators of the infinity flag may have had some Scottish and French Canadian input when creating their flag is not surprising, because these two groups dominated the North West Company and had the most Métis descendants. However, the flag was uniquely Métis and was recognized as such.

The red Métis flag may have been created by Métis employees of the Hudson's Bay Company. The traditional colors of the fur trade giant were red and white. Neither the blue and white, nor the red and white flag was used by the Métis during the two great resistance movements of 1869-70 and 1885. During this period the Métis used flags which contained French Canadian and Catholic religious symbols. The Métis infinity flag was temporarily forgotten, and remembered only in oral tradition. With the rebirth of Métis pride and consciousness the flag was brought back. Today the flag remains a potent symbol of Métis heritage.

The United Métis Tribe uses the blue and white version of the flag. We more closely align with the heritage of the Métis of the North West Company.

Metis Sash

The Sash is a finger woven belt made of wool approximately three meters long. Traditionally it was tied at the waist to hold a coat closed, including being used as a scarf or rope.

Here are some excerpts from a Métis priest's prayer. "Métis people, God, have been wearing the sash proudly for many years. When I look at it, I notice that it is composed of many interconnected threads, many strands, many patterns, many colors contribute to the overall design of the sash. Our Métis culture God is like the sash. The lives of the Métis have been woven together from a variety of cultures, traditions and beliefs ... For example, God, we are the descendants of the English, of the French, of the Indian-Cree and Ojibwe and Scots to name a few. We speak a variety of languages: English, Canadian French, Michif French, Michif Cree and Mashkegon. Look at the sash: it is a composite. It is a mixture. It is Métis. It is made of a variety of elements, like the lives of the Métis. Look at its pattern, its fabric, its colors. Nonetheless, these disparate elements form an integrated whole. Similarly, the different ethnic backgrounds and different languages to the Métis blend into one another to form a rich tapestry like the lives and culture of the Métis."

Today, the sash is still worn by the Métis people. Métis women occasionally wear it over the shoulder, while others wear it the traditional way, around the waist & tied in the middle, with the fringes hanging down. The Manitoba Métis Senate started a tradition of draping the sash over the table wherever Métis people are gathered for discussion. The Manitoba Métis Federation at their last Assembly, adopted a new sash with the color variations of ; Red, which is the historical depicted color for the Métis Sash; Blue & White symbolizing the colors of the Métis Nation flag;