I am a proud Métis woman. I come from a strong line of Métis ancestors, and I carry their stories with me. I am Indigenous, my Métis rights are enshrined in Section 35 of the Canadian Constitution as one of the three Indigenous Peoples of this country. I have lived in British Columbia all my life. I know who I am, but I didn’t always.
I discovered I was Indigenous in elementary school. An Aboriginal support worker at the school told me so. As an eight-year-old girl, it was confusing to me: who am I? What is my connection to this unique culture, and why does that make me different? I asked my parents, but they provided no answers. Who am I? They sent me to my grandmother. I called and asked her: why do they think I am Indigenous? At first, there was only anger at the proposition, then hesitation; finally, she shared: “You are Métis, but you will tell everyone you are French Canadian.” I was Métis. What did that mean? How did that change my perspective? And why hide who we are?
Read the full story here: https://dailyhive.com/vancouver/metis-nation-bc-rights-opinion