Metis Nation

The term “Métis” refers to individuals of mixed white and Indigenous ancestry, originating from the French-speaking population in the northwest. It derives from the Latin word “mescere,” meaning to mix. In contrast, “mestizo” is used in Spanish-speaking regions, particularly for those of half white and half Indigenous heritage. The Gulf states saw the use of “mustee,” a variant of mestizo. In western contexts, “half-breed” may broadly describe all persons of mixed heritage, regardless of their specific lineage.