The United Nations recognizes nations through a set standard of criteria that needs to be met. For instance, clothing, culture, political activism and government. The Metis Nation exhibited the characteristics of their nationalism long before those of Canada and the United States.

With their mixed traditions and command of both European and Indian languages, the Metis were logical intermediaries in the commercial relationship between two civilizations. They adopted European technology to the wilderness, through innovations such as the Red River Cart and York boat that made possible the transport of large volumes of goods and supplies to and from the far flung outposts of the fur trade. As people of mixed ancestry increased in number and married amongst themselves, they developed a new culture, neither European nor Indian, but a fusion of the two and a new identity as Metis.

By the mid 18th century, Metis villages had appeared in an around fur trade posts from the Great Lakes to the Mackenzie Delta. Then, as now, Metis communities shared a common outlook shaped by their historical circumstances. As provisioners to the North West Company, the Metis of the prairies organized the commercial buffalo hunt. They left their permanent settlements periodically, electing a provisional government for each expedition to make and enforce the law of the hunt. This activity increased the political consciousness of the Metis and was further heightened by the rivalry between the fur trade companies.

On this page, I will show examples of how distinct the Metis culture is from other Aboriginal people and other nations of the world.