A Presentation to our Youth

 

Roots and Identity 

Today we gather to speak of our roots, our identity, and our journey as a people. The Métis story is not merely a tale from history; it is the living heartbeat of who we are, and who you are becoming. To know one’s roots is to stand upon solid ground. To forget one’s roots is to drift like a leaf upon the wind.

Long ago, men and women came from France, Ireland, and other parts of Europe to trade furs across these northern lands. They met the Indigenous peoples here and, over time, bonds of family and friendship grew. Marriages were formed, children were born, and a new people came into being—neither wholly European nor wholly Indigenous, but Métis. These children were often called “half-breeds” by outsiders, yet they were full children in the eyes of the Great Father and Mother. Because they were misunderstood and not always accepted by any of the older nations, our ancestors forged their own way. Out of necessity, they created a distinct culture, a distinct language, and a distinct spirituality. This is the foundation of your heritage.

Our people became the guides, interpreters, boatmen, and builders of bridges between cultures. We learned resilience because we had to. We learned diplomacy because we needed to. We learned ingenuity because our survival depended upon it. And from this, we inherited a way of life grounded in honour, responsibility, and respect for others.

At the centre of our spirituality stands the Sacred Circle. Its four directions teach us Dedication, Purification, Sanctification, and Consecration. Just as our ancestors stood between worlds, so too the Sacred Circle calls us to balance the four winds—Physical, Communications, Psychological, and Emotional—in all we do. To know one’s roots is to dedicate oneself to non-harm; to purify one’s life by acts of help and kindness; to sanctify one’s environment by guarding our inner and outer worlds; and to consecrate oneself by devotion to the Great Manitou, whose loving heart burns in the Sacred Fire at the centre.

Knowing your roots gives you pride, but not the pride that boasts. It gives you dignity, confidence, and a sense of belonging. It also gives you the responsibility to carry forward what is good, to improve what can be improved, and to act as stewards of your culture for the next generation. Every time you speak our language, practise our music, wear the sash correctly, or honour the Elders, you are saying: “I know who I am.”

Remember, that embracing your Métis identity does not mean closing your heart to others. It means walking in the strength of your heritage while respecting the dignity of every person you meet. In this way, you will bring light and knowledge to the world, just as our ancestors once did, and just as the Great Father and Mother continue to guide us to do.