[Georgian Bay, December 11, 2020] The Métis Nation of Ontario (MNO) has created a series of educational videos to highlight historic Métis communities and is inviting Ontarians to learn more about Métis history, culture, and way of life.
Those with roots in the Georgian Bay area may see and hear echoes of the Métis history in their everyday lives. However, many people may not know the richness and depth of the history of the Métis people in this area. The history of the Georgian Bay Historic Métis Community is an important part of the history of the province. Before Canada was Canada and Ontario was Ontario, colonial forces uprooted and displaced Métis populations.
Many Métis from this community fought alongside Britain during the War of 1812. After the war, the British ceded their home on Drummond Island to the Americans. By that point, having been uprooted several times, the Métis took to the Great Lakes on bateaus (or batteaux, batoes) and migrated to Penetanguishene.
Families began to reknit threads of their community, living and working together as they had on Drummond Island and found work in fishing, lumbering, and guiding, while other families farmed. Above all, the descendants of the Drummond Island Métis remained connected, living in neighbouring households and acting as godparents and witnesses for important life events.
“We are a people of the waterways of Ontario. Our history is rich and we invite others to learn more about it,” highlighted Regional Councillor David Dusome.
“The Historic Georgian Bay Métis Community’s distinct way of life has a long history in this area and telling our story is important for today and for our future generations,” stated Greg Garratt, President of the Georgian Bay Métis Council.
Learn more about the historic Georgian Bay Métis Community by watching the informative video on this page.
For media inquiries, please contact:
Marc St. Germain
Director of Communications
Métis Nation of Ontario
marcs@metisnation.org
613-314-9402
Posted on December 11, 2020