Development And Cultural Ethnogenesis Of The Metis On The Canadian Prairies

The story of the development and cultural ethnogenesis of the Metis on the Canadian prairies is one that is rich and has a diverse history. It is a story of resilience, and one of many trails and tribulations. Ultimately is a story that has forever changed the narrative on what was to become Western Canada. The Metis people have undoubtedly played a pivotal role in the development of the Canadian prairies. We can see clearly the effects that the Metis have had in the prairies economically, politically, and culturally. The Metis played a large part in the westward expansion of the Fur trade. During the Metis’ ethnogenesis in the Red River Basin they developed their own culture, language and customs. Had it not been for the Metis, perhaps Canada

The North American Fur Trade was developing at an exponential rate. The demand for furs in Europe was to be the determining factor as to why the European presence was to be maintained in the west. Europeans were moving westward as an act of economic development rather that colonization. As the demand grew more, the supplies in the region around the great lakes became scarcer and thus gave reason the fur trade to move further west. The French settlers who were part of the North West Company travelled out from the St. Lawrence River system and go inland in search of new furs. With the decline of the beaver in the areas surrounding the St. Lawrence the French began to move toward a system of trading posts that would eventually be one of the contributing factors for the birth of the

“The French [fur traders] discovered that the Indians were quite prepared to participate regularly in the trade and, indeed, to use the Europeans to further their own ends” (Friesen, 2010). This demonstrates that the Aboriginals were also using the Europeans as a way of helping secure themselves economically. “The marriage of one of their band to a trader could provide them with credit and help in tough times; it could give them an advantage in trade negotiations; it might mean that enemy bands did not secure European weapons” (Friesen, 2010). Indeed both parties would benefit greatly from such marriages.

These marriages were a way for both to French and the First Nations people to secure for themselves allies as well as trading partnerships. These relationships were not an act of colonization, but one of economic development and of diplomacy. Both groups were benefitting in many different ways: “marriage between that daughter of a prominent Indian and a European fur company man might cement a trade relationship and outflank the opposition in a way that was otherwise impossible” (Friesen, 2010). These marriages would set the conditions as to how the Metis nation would develop as a distinct people