Why Reclaiming Métis Identity and Power Feels Unsettling—For Us and For Canada

I’ve noticed that reclaiming our identity and personal power can feel unsettling, not just for ourselves, but for the systems around us. This discomfort isn’t new. It’s woven into our history as Métis people.

The Personal Unsettling

For many of us, stepping into our Métis identity means facing old fears: Am I “enough”? Will I be accepted? What will my family, colleagues, or community think? The act of reclaiming our stories, our ceremonies, and our voices is deeply personal, and often it stirs up resistance within ourselves. After all, many of us grew up in the “in-between,” taught to keep quiet, to blend in, or to survive by staying small.

But the unsettling doesn’t stop at the personal level. When we reclaim our power, it ripples outward.

Why Systems Feel Threatened

Historically, Métis people have always been seen as a threat to the status quo. The Canadian government’s response to the Métis Nation, especially during the Resistance of 1885, shows how unsettling our presence was for those in power. Our ancestors, sometimes called the “Old Wolves,” were direct threats because they walked in both worlds: Indigenous and European, spiritual and practical, visionary and grounded.

These were resilient leaders and bridge-walkers who refused to be defined by colonial categories. Their ability to move between cultures, languages, and spiritualities made them powerful, and unsettling to a government that wanted compliance, not complexity.

To the Canadian state, the Métis were a challenge because they could not be easily controlled. They were self-determined, adaptable, and fiercely protective of their people and land.

The Legacy Today

That legacy lives on. Even now, reclaiming Métis identity can unsettle institutions, including some that serve Indigenous peoples more broadly. Too often, Métis voices and perspectives are left out, not necessarily out of malice, but because our presence can challenge established narratives and boundaries.

There’s often a quiet pressure not to make waves, not to claim space, and not to challenge the roles others expect us to play. I’ve noticed that even when people agree with Métis stories or perspectives, there can be hesitation to openly support them, perhaps out of fear of offending someone or facing professional or social backlash.

Why We Must Keep Going

But unsettling the status quo is part of our inheritance. The “Old Wolves” didn’t hide forever. After years in the shadows, they came together to record our stories, to fight for recognition, and to keep the flame alive for future generations. We honour them every time we dare to speak, to write, to dance, to pray, or to simply say, “I am Métis, and I belong.”

Reclaiming our identity and power may feel risky, but it’s also an act of healing for ourselves, our families, and our nation. It’s how we move from surviving to thriving.

Reflection

If you feel unsettled on this journey, know that you’re not alone. The discomfort means you’re doing something real, something that matters. And every time you step forward, you help make space for others to do the same.