History of the Canadian Metis

Both Native men and women assisted the new settlers in adapting to the harsh conditions of the country. Additionally, the Metis were farm labourers, they cleared the land and planted crops. .
             Metis prided in the Buffalo Hunt and due to their skilled horsemanship, they greatly contributed to the skills that were adapted and are currently used in the west on ranches, such as calf roping and range riding. Additionally, the RCMP currently have an annual "Musical Ride" which was inspired by the Metis who exercised their horses and square danced after a buffalo hunt.
             One of the most prominent acts of the Metis in Canadian history is our involvement in the War of 1812, since this event is central to the development of Canadian nationhood. In the early 1800's the Metis role in the fur trade was crucial to the economy of Canada. Since they primarily lived throughout the Great Lakes region and most battles in the war occurred there, the Metis could not avoid the war. However, since they had close relationships with the First Nations and the British, the Metis proudly fought for Canada during the war. In fact, the Metis fought in most battles of the war and some units were solely comprised of the Metis. Since Britain could only provide a limited number of troops to defend Canada, without the assistance of the Metis, these troops would most likely have failed. This act of courageousness and bravery represents how the Metis are, without question, among Canada's founding peoples.
             In 1869, the HBC and the Dominion of Canada decided that Rupert's Land was going to be joining the New Dominion of Canada and taking over some of the land already occupied by the Metis in the northwest. However, since the Metis were not informed of this, they were furious. Furthermore, the HBC tried to make the Metis solely fur trade providers and "free" traders. As a result the Metis formed a provisional government who challenged the company and rejected the notion that the transfer of Rupert's Land could occur without agreement from the Aboriginal peoples who lived there.