The Indian Act of 1869, issued by the Parliament of Canada, was influential in the oppression of the Aboriginal Metis women. Not only did the Indian Act regulate First Nations sexuality, but it also determined the status of Aboriginals depending on who they married. The status and citizenship sections of the 1869 Indian Act policy had connotations that were simultaneously racist, patriarchal and heterosexist. .
People of mixed ancestry, such as the Metis predated the Indian Act which only included "Status Indians" and excluded anyone who was not. The policy regulated Aboriginal women by revoking their Aboriginal status if they chose to marry a white man. Furthermore, not only did she lose her status but her children did as well. This caused Metis children to have a lack of identity and social acceptance. Legal status denied the majority of mixed bloods any recognition of their Aboriginal heritage. Furthermore, white society denied them acceptance within the white community. For most Metis people there was no place "in between" and they failed to maintain a designated, accepted place in society because legally they were white, but socially they were Indians (or half-breeds). .
The eldest of eight children, Campbell grew up in Spring River, Saskatchewan along with her large family in the mid-nineteen hundreds. While her father was of Aboriginal decent, her mother was White, making Campbell of Metis heritage. However, Campbell rarely referred to herself as such. Instead, she used the term "half-breed". Although of mixed blood on both sides, Campbell emphasizes her connection with her Metis heritage. The family was very poor and worked hard for what they had. Campbell's great grandmother on her father's side, known as Cheechum was arguably the most influential person in Campbell's life. Cheechum lived with the Campbell family for many years and was very spiritual.
