Study of Métis communities includes SFX

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This article was published 08/11/2019 (2155 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

St. Francois Xavier has historical significance in Métis history as prominent Métis leader Cuthbert Grant is considered to be the community’s founder.

That’s why University of Winnipeg assistant professor Chantal Fiola included SFX in her recent study, Ceremony as Healing in Métis Communities.

Fiola, who teaches in the Native Studies department, recently presented her findings during a public talk in SFX. Similar events were held in the other communities she studied — Ste. Anne, Duck Bay, Camperville, St. Laurent and Lorette.

In each community she and her research associates interviewed six Métis people who still live in the community, had familial roots there or whose families hold scrip issued by the federal government in exchange for their land rights.

“I was curious about what was happening in Métis communities,” she said.

Her own roots are Red River Métis Anishinaabe, with family from St. Laurent and Ste. Geneviève, Man.

In the SFX study just one of the subjects still lives in the municipality and the others have family ties or hold scrip.

They were asked about their family histories and relationships with Indigenous and non-Indigenous spiritual and religious practices as well as general attitudes they and their families encountered as Métis people.

“They shared their personal experiences,” Fiola said.

She said some spoke about parents and grandparents trying to hide their Métis identity in the past, fearing it would arouse racist attitudes and discrimination.

“There was pressure to assimilate.”

While some of the subjects still practise Christianity, others combine that with Indigenous spiritual ceremonies and customs such taking part in sweat lodges, drum and song circles and sun dances, among others.

“Métis are finding their way back to traditional ceremonies,” Fiola said, adding that some have to leave their home communities to travel to ceremonial sites.

Fiola is working to have the findings in her study published.