Metis Community Services accepts the definition which was developed by Metis Family Services (Surrey), the Vancouver Aboriginal Child and Family Services Society, and the Ministry for Children and Families, to serve children in care. These social service groups define a Metis person as:
"a person of mixed North American Indian and European ancestry, who identifies as Metis. (We also accept people who may use other words to indicate their identity, such as, "bois brulez", "Michif", "half-breed", "mixed-blood", etc.)"This is the same definition which is currently used by Stats Canada.
Many Definitions
There may be as many definitions of "Metis" as there are mixed-race peoples who use the word. Broadly speaking, a Metis person is someone who is of mixed North American Aboriginal and European ancestry, and who self-identifies as Metis.
Beyond that, the definition can be clarified by looking at context: In terms of the fiduciary obligation of the Government of Canada, one must have Aboriginal ancestry from the territory which is now Canada, and be recognized as Metis by the Canadian government. In terms of land claims, one must have Aboriginal ancestors who lived on the land in question before it became Canada. In terms of hunting & fishing rights, one must have Aboriginal ancestors who hunted & fished in the area before it became Canada. Beyond that, the most recent Supreme Court judgement (R. v. Powley) requires that the hunter have current ties to the Metis people of the area.
The Constitution Act, 1982, recognized the Metis as one of Canada's founding aboriginal peoples. The Supreme Court accepted a definition of "Metis" as a person who self-identifies as Metis, and who is from a historic Metis community. The Court did not define "historic Metis community".
(Although there are some United States citizens with Canadian Aboriginal ancestors, the U.S.A. does not recognize Metis as an Aboriginal people.)
