Ask where the Métis people come from and too often the answers are “from the Red River area,” “from the Prairies” or “from Manitoba,” even among Métis themselves. Yet, the history of these people begins further east—a history we know little about because, unlike the Métis in the West, the Ontario Métis have no events like Batoche or figures like Louis Riel or Gabriel Dumont to talk about.
A great challenge lies ahead for the person who will hold the Chair in Métis Studies at the University of Ottawa. This person’s job will be to create a greater collective understanding of the history, culture and experiences of the Ontario Métis. It will not be to conduct research that will end up in some obscure book on a dusty archive shelf somewhere but rather original research that will capture the interest of Canadians, contribute to the education of students and researchers alike and act as a catalyst for developing a network of people interested in Métis studies.
Most people are aware that the Métis are worried about preserving their language. In Western Canada, the Métis language is dominated by Cree, French and Gaelic. In Ontario, however, the language is a mixture of Ojibwa and older French. Without books like dictionaries or audio recordings of the language, and with only the older generation able to speak this language, there will soon be no way to pass on this treasure to future generations.
According to Bradford Morse, a professor in the University of Ottawa Faculty of Law’s Common Law Section (which will host the Chair), there is a great deal of work ahead for the person who will fill this position. Professor Morse notes that there are only 49 professors at the University with expertise or an interest in Aboriginal issues. And only four of these professors indicate Métis as one of their areas of research. Among the courses offered at the University last year, none make reference to Métis. Instead, Métis studies have been covered within the more general context of Aboriginal or Indigenous studies, for example.
Bradford Morse is a member of the internal University committee that is responsible for submitting a nomination for the Chair to the Council of Ontario Universities selection panel, of which the President of the Métis Nation of Ontario is a member. The committee hopes to find a candidate who is a distinguished scholar, ideally an Ontario Métis, and who has a particular interest in Métis language, history, medicine or another facet of the Ontario Métis culture. The candidate would also be a captivating speaker, be a mentor, and be able to attract funds to create scholarships and awards, recruit students, encourage program development and foster the relationship not only between the Métis Nation of Ontario and the University but also among Métis themselves.
“The fact that we do not yet know of such a person speaks volumes about the importance of this Chair,” says Bradford Morse. “Once we fill the Chair, a network of these people can be developed.”
It is expected that the Chair will be installed early in the 2009-2010 academic year.
