The Path of Community: Finding Belonging, Together
- Matthew J. Dyck
- May 19
- 3 min read
Part 5 of Walking the Four Paths
Why Community Matters
When I started exploring my Métis identity, I often felt alone. I didn’t grow up in a tight-knit Métis settlement or with big family gatherings full of fiddle music and bannock. As I learned more, I realized that community isn’t just a place, it’s a feeling, a web of relationships, and a way of supporting one another through life’s ups and downs. For Métis people, community has always been at the heart of who we are.
What Makes Métis Community Unique?
Métis communities are built on connection, adaptability, and resilience. Whether in rural homelands, urban neighbourhoods, or scattered across provinces, Métis people have always found ways to gather, share, and celebrate together.
Storytelling and Visiting: Sharing stories, visiting friends and family, and gathering for celebrations are core to Métis life. House parties, kitchen tables, and community halls have long been places where laughter, music, and teachings flow freely.
Kinship and Extended Family: Métis families are rarely just “nuclear.” Aunties, uncles, cousins, Elders, and even close friends are all part of the family circle. Everyone helps raise the children, care for the Elders, and support each other in hard times.
Celebration and Resilience: From the Red River Jig to the réveillon (New Year’s Eve party), Métis people know how to celebrate. Food, music, and dance are woven into every gathering, helping us mark important moments and lift each other’s spirits.
Adaptability: Over generations, Métis communities have moved, adapted, and rebuilt in new places. Whether living in cities or on the land, Métis people have kept their sense of community alive through shared values, traditions, and mutual support.
Debunking Myths About Métis Community
Myth 1: “You have to live in a Métis settlement to belong.”
Truth: Métis community is wherever Métis people gather, support, and celebrate each other, whether that’s in a city, a small town, or online.
Myth 2: “If you didn’t grow up with big family gatherings, you’re not part of the community.”
Truth: Many Métis families were separated by history, work, or hardship. Reclaiming community can start at any age, in any place.
Myth 3: “Community is only about blood ties.”
Truth: Métis community is built on kinship, but also on friendship, shared values, and mutual care. Chosen family is just as important.
What Does Community Look Like Today?
Gatherings and Celebrations: From Louis Riel Day to local Métis festivals, these events bring people together for food, music, dancing, and storytelling.
Support Networks: Métis organizations, Elders, and volunteers help with everything from language classes to health clinics and cultural workshops.
Online Spaces: Many Métis now connect in Facebook groups, Zoom circles, or through blogs and podcasts, sharing stories and support across distances.
Acts of Care: Bringing food to a neighbour, checking in on Elders, or helping with child care, these everyday acts are the glue of community.
How to Walk the Path of Community
1. Reach Out
Attend a local or online Métis event, even if you don’t know anyone yet.
Introduce yourself to a Métis organization or cultural group in your area.
2. Share and Listen
Share your story and listen to others. Every voice adds to the community.
Ask Elders or knowledge keepers about traditions, teachings, or family history.
3. Celebrate Together
Join in for a feast, a dance, or a storytelling night.
Try making a traditional recipe or learning a jig with friends or family.
4. Support Each Other
Offer help where you can, and accept support when you need it.
Remember: small acts of kindness build strong communities.
Facing Barriers
Maybe you feel shy, or worry you don’t know enough to join in. Maybe you live far from other Métis people, or your family history is complicated. These feelings are common. Community is built one connection at a time, and there’s always room for you.
Start Small: Even a single conversation or shared meal can be the beginning.
Be Patient: Building relationships takes time, but every step matters.
Honour Diversity: Métis communities are as diverse as the people in them. There’s no one way to belong.
Reflection Prompts
Who is someone you feel connected to, even if they’re not family by blood?
What’s one way you can reach out or join in community this month?
How do you want to help build Métis community for the next generation?
Community Is Home
Métis community is a circle that grows with every new story, every shared meal, and every act of kindness. Whether you’re surrounded by family or just starting to reach out, you are part of that circle. As we walk the Path of Community, we remember we are stronger together, and everyone belongs.
Thank you for walking these four paths with me. The journey continues, and you are always welcome here.
Walking Together, Forever Métis.
You Belong Here
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