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History of the Union nationale métisse

The Union nationale métisse Saint-Joseph du Manitoba is the oldest Métis organization in Canada, founded on July 17, 1887 at the home of Mr. Joseph St-Germain in St. Vital.

However, its origins can be traced back to September 24, 1884, in Batoche, Saskatchewan, where after Sunday mass at Saint-Antoine de Padoue Church, Gabriel Dumont, Louis Riel and several other Métis patriots founded the Association Saint-Joseph—the name of the patron saint being chosen by Louis Riel himself.

An ardent protector and defender of the identity and rights of the French-Canadian Red River Métis, Louis Riel also sought to establish a common front that would unite all the various Métis peoples of Red River, including groups such as the Red River French-Canadians, the Half-breeds and Rupertlanders, to name only a few. This would ensure that the Métis nation could take its rightful place within the new province of Manitoba.

The Association became the Union Métisse Saint-Joseph in 1887.

The founding members of the Union Métisse Saint-Joseph were:

Joseph St-Germain, père

Benjamin Nault

Abraham Guay

Pierre St-Germain

François Poitras

Jean-François Plouffe

Auguste Harrison

Pierre Lavallée

Joseph Riel

François Marion

Elzéar Lagimodière

Pierre Deleurme

Alfred Nault

Martin Jérôme

Joseph McMullen

Alexis Carrière

"So as to be more united, as our ancestors were"

Our mission

The main objectives of the Union nationale métisse Saint-Joseph du Manitoba were and remain:

To unite the French-speaking Métis of the Red River;
To represent the French-speaking Métis of the Red River as a founding people;
To protect the French-speaking Métis of the Red River's people and its interests;
To protect, develop and promote the French-speaking Métis of the Red River's society, its traditions and its culture, and to make known the history of the French-speaking Métis of the Red River.

Our Mission

The Union nationale métisse today

Today, the Union nationale métisse Saint-Joseph du Manitoba (UNMSJM) continues to strive to honour its mission, which is to protect, promote and honour the traditions and the culture of the Red River Métis and to make their history known through activities, workshops and community gatherings.

It continues to preserve the cultural and political values of the the French-speaking Métis of the Red River's people and to defend their language rights, their cultural rights, and their values at the local, provincial and national level. The current Board of Directors is made up of Red River Métis, including some descendants of the historic members.

The Union nationale métisse is currently embarking on a major transition, having received core funding for the first time, to help in carrying out its day-to-day operations and setting up a small team of salaried employees to support the Board of Directors.