Identifying with My Métis Heritage

I am French Canadian and bilingual. In my earlier years, I saw life through only this lens.

However, later on, I was made aware that I have a Métis heritage. This part of my history has been vague, distant, and as of more recently, at times a source of an emotional struggle for me.

As time went on, I learned the basics; that my Métis roots run deep on my maternal grandmother’s side. Because of prejudices that my grandmother and her ancestors suffered racially and culturally, it made it difficult for her to live her culture publicly. Being a mother of eight children and living in a small town certainly did not help. Therefore, she chose silence…or was it a choice.

It was not until I was a young adult that I began to learn about the systemic mistreatment of so many Indigenous people in Canada.

Having spent many years in the Diversity Relations Unit of Peel Regional Police, I had an exceptionally open gateway for learning much more about Canada as a cultural, religious and racial mosaic. 

Spending countless hours in seminars, courses, community engagement events and diversity focus groups (the list goes on), my internal compass spun wildly, making me thirst to learn more about my Métis and Indigenous heritage.

I have Peel Regional Police to thank for providing the resources and opportunity for learning. In specific, the atrocities still affecting the Indigenous community, including residential schools, the eugenics movement and the murder of many Indigenous women and girls.

As my awareness continued to broaden, it initiated a further personal study into the sufferance of the Indigenous peoples of Canada.

Being made aware that some of this country’s very own leaders and trusted members of society were responsible for these atrocities against so many Indigenous families, it was a bitter pill to swallow. This history's impact on the health and well-being of our current Indigenous community is overwhelming.

I give thanks about the exposure opportunities realized through my employment with Peel Regional Police. The awakening steps that I have gained as a result has made me feel it is my social obligation to continue on this path for further enlightenment. I know that this path will never end. I only seek to become a better person and progress further every day to help effect even the slightest change from my special place in the world.

I, along with many others, try to advocate for inclusivity and sensitivity by having tough conversations and bringing awareness to issues that are outright uncomfortable for some. With sincere optimism, I feel there is progress both within myself and others.  We, as Canadians, must recognize and embrace the equality of the Canadian people, all people.

For my late grandmother and Indigenous ancestors before her,

“I have embarked on this journey with you in my heart to embrace my Métis heritage in all of its complexities with both joy and trepidation in your honour. Que Dieu soit avec vous.”