From kitchen parties, to soirees, and holiday dances, Métis across the Homeland are known for their love of having a good time in the company of friends and family. Once such “ball” was recorded at the Hudson Bay Company’s Michipicoten Post on October 9, 1849 by Indian Officer Thomas G. Anderson, who was travelling in the region in preparation for the forthcoming treaties with the Anishinaabe. In his diary, Anderson described the lively festivities that erupted between the M

Across the Homeland, Métis are well known and highly regarded for their deep generosity and warm hospitality to neighbours, visitors, and complete strangers alike—many of whom have noted the kindnesses they received from their Métis hosts in diaries and other official documents. In October 1849, for instance, Indian Officer Thomas G. Anderson visited the Hudson Bay Company’s Michipicoten Post on Lake Superior as part of preparations for what became the Robinson treaties, sign

The Hudson Bay Company’s Michipicoten Post on Lake Superior was a strategically important fur trade hub, located halfway between Sault Ste. Marie and Fort William and along the Michipicoten River route to Moose Factory on James Bay. In addition to facilitating the lucrative flow of trade goods in numerous directions, Michipicoten became an important intersection point for numerous Métis family and trade networks along both the north-south and east-west travel routes on which

As R. v. Powley worked its way through the courts, the Métis Nation—through the Métis National Council—collectively developed and unanimously reached a shared National Definition for Citizenship in the Métis Nation: “Métis means a person who self-identifies as Métis, is distinct from other Aboriginal peoples, is of historic Métis Nation ancestry and who is accepted by the Métis Nation.” This act of Métis self-determination was advanced under the Métis people’s inherent right,

During the landmark 2003 hearing of R. v. Powley at the Supreme Court of Canada, the entire Métis Nation stood together alongside the Powley family and Sault Ste. Marie Métis Community to recognize, uplift, and protect their distinct Métis identity and rights under S. 35 of Canada’s Constitution. This included an unequivocal and unanimous affirmation that the Sault Ste. Marie Métis Community and Powley family were members of the larger Métis Nation. Based on the facts, histo

Most people are aware of the Sault Ste. Marie Métis Community’s deep and rich history. But did you know that it has also been recognized and celebrated by many past and present Métis Nation leaders? For example, in delivering an intervention to the Supreme Court of Canada in support of the Powley case, former MNC President and current MMF Ambassador Clement Chartier declared Steve and Roddy Powley to be descendants of the Historic Métis Nation. In that same intervention, Char