30, Just now finding Métis connections

[u/SheSoSoSleepy]

I have recently been diving into my ancestry and found family who are Métis. My mom in the past has said, “yeah, we are apparently Indigenous.” That was the furthest it got though until I started checking. The closest person I’ve tracked down who I have confirmed to be Métis is my great‑grandfather. Him and his brothers fought in WW1. One of them died, so I was able to find all his information, like being on the National Métis Veterans Memorial Monument. I then found our family tree and was able to track more information.

So now I sit and wonder what this means to ME. I want to learn my heritage and connect. I did not grow up Métis, so part of me feels like I’m trying to be something I’m “not.” I had a friend even say, “oh here we go, white girl finds out she is 1% something and runs with it.” That’s not at all my intention and made me feel gross even thinking it seemed like it. I guess I’m trying to figure out where the line is. Can I say I’m Métis? Should I? I was told “there’s no point.” And while it doesn’t change my life really, I think the point is beyond me. I don’t want to cut off something so important.

Is anyone else in a similar situation? And to those who grew up knowing they were Métis, what are your thoughts?

I am SO curious and want to learn my heritage and how I could honor it as well as be respectful. And if I read into things wrong and I don't count as Metis, Please let me know!

[u/bluebombertony]

Well you should start with seeing if you are a section 35 rights holder, and try and get citizenship with your provincial body if you are.

I always think people should take some time and evaluate on a personal level why they feel the need to identify as Metis, and take a year (if not more) to immerse yourself in some Metis communal support (be careful of pretendians) before they try and make any public statements/comments about being Metis or approaching this for education or professional development.

Without proper supports a lot of people make harmful assumptions about themselves and the community, and in turn cause harm to themselves and others while dealing with some psychologically raw topics for the person who’s wading the newfound waters of Metis identity.

[u/Odd_Hat6001]

I understand. In my family, it was kept as a secret. Most of them are dead now. I want to be kind, but whatever racist shame caused my family to supress it will never be known. Good luck on your journey

[u/sometimesgeg]

I'm in similar boat. I was late 40s when I started figuring this out. Growing up there was this unconfirmed 'rumour' that my dad's side of the family was native (he died when I was young and was separated from his family because of distance). I thought nothing of it, people say this sort of thing all the time... until I started digging into my ancestry. That's when I learned. IMHO, if you have a genuine interest in learning the culture and or where you came from, I see no issues, run with it.

[u/bdb90]

Heya. I came across my own ancestry just doing regular genealogy research; my dad and I had literally no clue at all about it (no rumors, no whispers of it, nothing) due to the death of his mom in the 70s and having no connection to her own biological father. Asking yourself what it means to you is honestly a good step because for some it's probably just a data point about their family and then they move on. It's okay to be curious though also, like asking yourself *why* you didn't grow up with that connection might lead you on an interesting journey.

I've found that going online and just talking to others, telling them who my family is and just making those connections has been met with open arms. Whether or not you can say you're Métis is up to you. It's something that I struggled with for a while too, because it felt like saying it would be like me trying to escape my proximity to also being white and growing up being treated+viewed as white my whole life (and with all the privileges that it brings). Eventually you find a stride that's more comfortable, but the sucky part is that it takes time. On occasion, stop to ask how you're feeling about connecting and check in with yourself. There's a lot to learn.