How did Metis communities start?

Answer 1

Metis communities began to form in the 17th and 18th centuries in Canada, primarily as a result of relationships between European fur traders—mainly French and Scottish—and Indigenous women. These unions led to the emergence of a distinct Metis culture, blending Indigenous and European traditions, languages, and ways of life. As families and communities developed, they established their own social structures, economies, and political identities, particularly around the fur trade. Over time, the Metis became recognized as a unique people with their own rights and heritage within the broader Canadian context.