The Function and Use of Metis Status in Late 18th and Early 19th Century Northern Indiana.

Summary

In the broadest sense, Métis refers to the resulting offspring of unions between Native Americans and Europeans, most often the French (Brown 1979, 2008; Devons 1992; Hatt 1969; Kienetz 1983). More specifically, Métis has served as a racial or ethnic term, as well as a socio-cultural term. John B. Richardville was a Métis individual and was able to successfully bridge the gap between the two worlds of his parents and exploit his access to each of them at different times in his life. He was able to capitalize on his Métis social status to become increasingly successful within the Miami tribe, as well as the larger context of the 19th century fur trade. This paper will examine the function of Métis status in the life of John B. Richardville focusing on its role in the formation of his personal and social identity leading up to, and during his tenure as chief of the Miami tribe.

This Resource is Part of the Following Collections

• Culture Change and Persistence among North American Indigenous Peoples in the Contact Zone   •
• Society for Historical Archaeology 2015

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Contact(s): Society for Historical Archaeology

Record Identifiers

PaperId(s): 315