Here are some factors that contributed to the formation of the Metis identity:
The Fur Trade: The fur trade brought together diverse groups of people, including European traders, First Nations communities, and Metis individuals, who often acted as intermediaries and played crucial roles in the exchange of goods, cultures, and knowledge.
Intermarriage and Cultural Exchange: As European traders settled in the region and established long-term relationships with First Nations women, intermarriage became common. This led to the emergence of a new cultural group with mixed European and Indigenous heritage, sharing both ancestral traditions.
Metis Self-Identification: The Metis people developed a distinct identity based on their shared experiences, language, and cultural practices. They referred to themselves as "mixed bloods," "half-breeds," or "countryborn," asserting their unique identity and challenging the categorization imposed by colonial societies.
Political Organization and Resistance: The Metis organized themselves into communities and developed political leadership structures. In response to colonial policies that sought to assimilate or marginalize them, the Metis asserted their rights and engaged in resistance movements, such as the Red River Rebellion and the North-West Rebellion.
While globalization has undoubtedly influenced the Metis identity in recent times, its origins lie in the historical processes and interactions that occurred long before the advent of global interconnectedness. The formation of the Metis identity is a product of complex historical, social, and cultural dynamics that predate the modern era of globalization.