What is a Metis?

Metis Woman
Janet Woppumnaweskum, Metis woman

The Robidoux family is not unique in being able to claim some cultural diversity. Many of us, through either marriages or births, can claim being a “Metis”. But what does this word mean? The following was used from the website, “Metis Nation of the Northwest”, www.telusplanet.net/public/dgarneau/metis.htm

“What is Metis: Basically, it is a cultural tradition based on a premise of First Nation ancestry or adoption into that tradition. The word Metis is derived by the French from the Ojibwa word Wissakodewinmi, which figuratively means half burnt woodsman: not quite a full fledged woodsman. The Cree called the Metis Oteepaymsoowuk, which means their own boss; as distinct from French or English people. The Cree viewed the English as being slaves to their Company.  In fact, many were in fact indentured slaves- as were the French. The Metis culture evolved from the Coureurs des Bois, Voyager and the Indian cultures. The Voyagers were of two types: the French Voyager pork eaters (mangeur de lard) and the more Metis type Winter Voyager, winterer (hivernant), who normally took country wives.  The term voyager actually refers to one who paddles a fur trade canoe, but some have expanded its meaning to include all those who ventured into the interior via canoe, engaged in the fur trade or for exploration.”

The following is documented historical data, involving the marriage or birth of a Robidou with a Native Canadian in early Quebec. The records indicate if the spouse or child was a “Sauvage” or “Sauvagesse” (Savage) and sometimes what tribe they were – Algonquin, Ojibway, Iroquis, etc. Since the first arrivals in New France were also Priests and Missonaries, who”converted” the Indians to Catholicism, they were provided Catholic names when baptized, but a “notation” as to their heritage was always usually made.

  • 1736:
    • June 2/26:  Longueuil, Quebec, birth/death (IV)-Marguerite Menard, Metis, daughter, (III)-Louis Menard, dit Lafontaine et Montour, Metis, b-1697 and (III)-Francoise Robidou, b-1707. (Francoise Robidou, p.4, 3D5, daughter of Guillaume Robidou and Francoise Guerin, The Robidou Genealogy, by Clyde Rabideau)
    • September 6:  Sault au Recollet, birth, (II)-Marie Elisabeth Normand, Metis, daughter (I)-Pierre Normand dit Jolicoeur an Iroquois Zorahk8anuen, and (II)-Marguerite Lehays b-1702; 1st married February 26, 1753 Sault au Recollet Francois Robidou; 2nd marriage January 10, 1757 Montreal Francois Clin July 3, 1749 Quebec, Joseph Harmond  (Francois Robidou, p.5, 4D2e, son of Joseph Robidou and Marie Anne Fonteneau, The Robidou Genealogy, by Clyde Rabideau)
  • 1737:
    • August 25:  Longueuil, Quebec, birth (IV)-Therese Amable Menard, Metis, daughter (III)-Louis Menard, dit Lafontaine et Montour, Metis, b-1697 and (III)-Francoise Robidou, b-1707; married May 14, 1753 au Bout de I’lle, Montreal, Pierre Joseph Brouillard. (Therese Amable, daughter of Louis and Francoise Robidou, (Guillaume and Francoise Guerin) 3D5, p. 4, The Robidou Genealogy, by Clyde Rabideau)
  • 1739:
    • September 2:  Longueuil, Quebec, birth (IV)-Marie Angelique Menard, Metis, daughter (III)-Louis Menard, dit Lafontaine et Montour, Metis, b-1697 and (III)-Francoise Robidou, b-1707. (Francoise Robidou, p. 4, 3D5, The Robidou Genealogy, by Clyde Rabideau)
  • 1741:
    • March 1:  Longueuil, Quebec, birth (IV)-Marie Joseph Menard, Metis, died August 16, 1741 Longueuil, Quebec, son (III)-Louis Menard, dit Lafontaine et Montour, Metis, b-1697 and (III)-Francoise Robidou, b-1707. (Francoise Robidou, p. 4, 3D5, The Robidou Genealogy, by Clyde Rabideau)
  • 1747:
    • February 27:  Montreal, Quebec, birth (IV)-Marie Louise Menard, Metis, died May 3, 1747, Montreal, son (III)-Louis Menard, dit Lafontaine et Montour, Metis, b-1697 and (III)-Francoise Robidou, b-1707. (Francoise Robidou, p. 4, 3D5, The Robidou Genealogy, by Clyde Rabideau)
  • 1753:
    • February 26:  Sault au Recollet, marriage, (IV)-Francois Robidou born July 6, 1731 Longueuil,  to (II)-Marie Elisabeth Normand, Metis, daughter (I)-Pierre Normand dit Jolicoeur an Iroquois Zorahk8anuen, and (II)-Marguerite Lehays b-1702; 1st married February 26, 1753 Sault au Recollet Francois Robidou; 2nd marriage January 10, 1757 Montreal Francois Clin.  (Francois Robidou, p. 5, 4D23, son of Joseph Robidou and Marie Anne Fonteneau, The Robidou Genealogy, by Clyde Rabideau)