The Métis are an Indigenous people whose traditional territories include the three Prairie Provinces of Canada. Their identity and culture emerged from a mix of European (primarily French, Scottish, and English) and Indigenous (primarily Cree) ancestry, forming a distinct community by the mid-18th century during the early fur trade years. As of 2021, the Métis population in Canada stands at 624,220. They are one of three legally recognized Indigenous groups under the Constitution Act of 1982, alongside First Nations and Inuit. The term "Métis" (with an uppercase 'M') often refers to the Métis Nation, which primarily developed in the Red River Valley and became politically organized in the 19th century. The Red River Métis, descendants of this community, played a pivotal role in 1870 when the Métis Provisional Government, led by Louis Riel, facilitated the entry of the Red River Settlement into Confederation as the Province of Manitoba. This made Manitoba the only province founded by an Indigenous person. The Métis National Council (MNC) represents the Métis Nation both nationally and internationally. In 2002, the MNC defined a Métis as someone who self-identifies as Métis, is distinct from other Aboriginal Peoples, has historic Métis Nation ancestry, and is recognized by the Métis Nation. This definition is contested by some First Nations. In Alberta, the Métis have a recognized land base, which includes eight Métis settlements with around 5,000 residents covering 1.25 million acres (5,100 km²), and newer Métis lands near Fort McKay, acquired from the Government of Alberta in 2017.

Métis - Wikipedia