The flag predates Canada's Maple Leaf by about 150 years!

The flag bears a horizontal figure eight, or an infinity symbol. The infinity symbol represents the coming together of two distinct and vibrant cultures, those of European and Indigenous North American peoples, to produce a distinct new culture: The Métis.

The Métis infinity flag was temporarily forgotten and remembered only in oral tradition. With the rebirth of Metis pride and consciousness, the flag returned. Today, the flag remains a potent symbol of Métis heritage.

Perhaps the most prominent symbol of the Métis Nation is the brightly coloured, woven sash. The sash is a finger-woven belt made of wool, approximately three metres long. In the days of the Voyageur, the sash was both a colourful and festive belt and an important tool for everyday life. Just a few of the many uses of the sash include a rope, key holder, first aid kit, washcloth, towel, and an emergency bridle and saddle blanket. Its fringed ends could also become a sewing kit.

The meanings of the colours of the traditional sash are: Red is for the blood of the Métis that was shed through the years while fighting for our rights. Blue is the the depth of our spirits. Green is for the fertility of a great nation. White is for our connection to the earth and our creator.

Historically, since the birth of the Métis Nation, The Métis have been involved with industry, trade, and commerce. One of the oldest occupations is that of the voyageur. With 16-18 hours of arduous work a day, the life of a voyageur was less than glamorous. Métis men travelled trade routes through turbulent waters and steep, treacherous lands from port to port, trading goods for the Hudson's Bay Company and the Northwest Company.

The fiddle has been a prominent part of the Métis lifestyle for hundreds of years. It is the primary instrument for accompanying the Métis jig. The famous 'Red River Jig' has become the centrepiece of Métis music. Since this European instrument. was exceedingly expensive in early Canada, especially for grassroots Métis communities, many craftsmen learned how to make their own. The fiddle is still in use today and plays a prominent role in celebrations as a symbol of our early beginnings and the joyful spirit in which we lived and grew. Fiddle and jigging contests are always popular events and provide an opportunity to showcase the fiddle as a symbol of Metis nationhood and pride.

The Red River Jig, the unique dance developed by the Métis people, combines the intricate footwork of Native dancing with instruments and form of European music. Traditionally, the dancing started early in the evening and would last until dawn. Witnesses were often dumbfounded by the energy and vitality evident during celebrations, which was matched only by the long, arduous days of labour necessary to keep Métis communities running. Métis people continue to enjoy jigging and have local, provincial and national dance teams who attend conferences, exhibitions and powwows.

The Métis area is a distinct Aboriginal people with a unique history, culture, and territory that includes the waterways of Ontario, surrounds the Great Lakes and spans the historic Northwest. Descendants of relationships between Indian women and European men, they developed a unique language called Michif. In Ontario, Michif is a mixture of old European and First Nation languages and is still spoken by some in the Métis community. Efforts are underway to rescue and preserve this critical component of Métis culture

Smudging is a tradition involving the burning of one or more medicines gathered from the earth. The four sacred medicines used in ceremonies are tobacco, sage, cedar, and sweetgrass, with sweetgrass, sage and cedar being the most common. Métis and Inuit people have historically incorporated smudging into their lives, guided by Elders and Spiritual Leaders.

We smudge to clear the air, cleanse our minds, and see, hear, and spread only the good in others. Smudging also cleanses negative energy within ourselves and spaces, allowing us to become mindful, centred, and grounded. This practice helps us remember, connect, and focus on the task at hand, letting go of negativity and fostering balance through a sense of calm and safety.