Métis fiddle
Encyclopedia
Métis fiddle is the style with which the Métis of Canada and Métis in the northern parts of the US have developed to play the violin in folk ensemble and solo. It is marked by percussive use of the bow and percussive accompaniment such as spoon percussion. The Meti (icon; meˈtsɪs; mɪˈtʃɪf) people themselves blend
First Nations, French, Anglo, Celtic and others. Fiddles were "introduced in this area by Scottish and French-Canadian fur traders in the early 1800s".
, President of the Manitoba Métis Foundation, is also interviewed in a 2006 documentary by John Barnard documentary and emphasizes that the Métis fiddle tradition is an aural tradition which cannot be taught in schools. Meti fiddling has been analyzed by ethnomusicologist Lynn Whidden as featured in the film; she indicates that meters can vary from measure to measure and is very percussive. Players use their feet and choke up on the bow to enable a very sharp bite. Some players, such as Sierra Noble, also plays fiddle in a modernized or blended Métis style which incorporates Celtic or country-pop influences. She has been known to play Celtic rock fusion, as in the Sierra Noble Trio with Ariel Posen on guitar and Bruce Jacobs on bass. T
In "A Note on Métis Music", Whidden emphasizes the French chanson and "Indian" derivation of the style and that they overlap and are indistinct. She demonstrates this theme infusing lyrics as well, as in the song "Redj'Jan's Shoes -White Man's Shoes": I ain't red nor am I white,
I've been like this for all of my life. Citing various personal communications, she indicates that virtually everyone in the community played an instrument, and that gathers were usually in homes because of a lack of large built structures, although she also, somewhat paradoxically, refers to "weekly" dances.
According to Lederman, this is the same as the "La Grande Gigue Simple" or "La Grandeux" in Québec, which is also found in Cajun playing. Other repertoire she identifies include "Drops of Brandy" ("Le Brandy" in Québec), and "Devil's Reel" ("Le Reel du Pendu" in Québec). Other dances include Duck Dance, Square Dance and Drops of Brandy
who trace their descent to mixed European and First Nations
parentage. The term was historically a catch-all describing the offspring of any such union, but within generations the culture syncretised into what is today a distinct indigenous group
, with formal recognition equal to that of the Inuit
and First Nations
. Mothers were often Cree
, Ojibwa
y, Algonquin, Saulteaux
, Menominee
, Mi'kmaq or Maliseet. At one time there was an important distinction between French Métis born of francophone
voyageur
fathers, and the Anglo Métis or Countryborn descended from Scottish
fathers. Today these two cultures have essentially coalesced into one Métis tradition. Other former names—many of which are now considered to be offensive—include Bois-Brûlés
, Mixed-blood
s, Half-breed
s, Bungi
, Black Scots and Jackatars.
The Métis homeland includes regions scattered across Canada, as well as parts of the northern United States
(specifically Montana
, North Dakota
, and northwest Minnesota
).
Almost 400,000 people self-identify as Métis in Canada. Most Métis people today are not so much the direct result of First Nations and European intermixing any more than English Canadians today are the direct result of intermixing of Saxons
and Britons
. The majority of Métis who self-identify today are the direct result of Métis intermarrying with other Métis. Over the past century, countless Métis are thought to have been absorbed and assimilated into European-Canadian populations making Métis heritage (and thereby aboriginal ancestry
) more common than is generally realized. Geneticists estimate that 50 percent of today's population in Western Canada
have Aboriginal blood
, and therefore would be classified as Métis by any genetic
measure. There is substantial controversy over who qualifies as Métis. Unlike First Nations people, there is no distinction between status and non-status Métis. The legal definition itself is not yet fully developed. S.35 of the Constitution Act, 1982
makes mention of the Métis stating:
A. Queen St W. M6J 101
Old Indian and Métis Fiddling in Manitoba: Origins, Structure, and Questions of Syncretism
Anne Lederman
Training, Media Productions.
' Whidden, Lynn Hymn anomalies in traditional Cree song,' Recherches Amérindiennes au Québec, vol 15, no 4, 1984
Kahnawake surnames
The Mohawk Nation reserve of Kahnawake, near Montreal, Quebec, Canada, includes residents with surnames of Mohawk, French, Scots and English ancestry, reflecting the adoption of European children into the community, as well as intermarriage with local colonial settlers over the life of the early...
First Nations, French, Anglo, Celtic and others. Fiddles were "introduced in this area by Scottish and French-Canadian fur traders in the early 1800s".
Overview
David ChartrandDavid Chartrand
David Chartrand is a politician and aboriginal activist in Manitoba, Canada. He is the current leader of the Manitoba Métis Federation. He was born and raised in Duck Bay, Manitoba.-External links:*...
, President of the Manitoba Métis Foundation, is also interviewed in a 2006 documentary by John Barnard documentary and emphasizes that the Métis fiddle tradition is an aural tradition which cannot be taught in schools. Meti fiddling has been analyzed by ethnomusicologist Lynn Whidden as featured in the film; she indicates that meters can vary from measure to measure and is very percussive. Players use their feet and choke up on the bow to enable a very sharp bite. Some players, such as Sierra Noble, also plays fiddle in a modernized or blended Métis style which incorporates Celtic or country-pop influences. She has been known to play Celtic rock fusion, as in the Sierra Noble Trio with Ariel Posen on guitar and Bruce Jacobs on bass. T
In "A Note on Métis Music", Whidden emphasizes the French chanson and "Indian" derivation of the style and that they overlap and are indistinct. She demonstrates this theme infusing lyrics as well, as in the song "Redj'Jan's Shoes -White Man's Shoes": I ain't red nor am I white,
I've been like this for all of my life. Citing various personal communications, she indicates that virtually everyone in the community played an instrument, and that gathers were usually in homes because of a lack of large built structures, although she also, somewhat paradoxically, refers to "weekly" dances.
Forms
The styles documented are European: polka, waltz, two-step,schottische, and square dance. However, the actual steps intermingle with First Nations means and methods. The chord progressions use complex harmonic structures and abandon the I-IV-V-I progression of the European derived tunes. Audience hand clapping, footstomping and dancing create an aural accompaniment as identified in the secondary literature and enthnomusicological clips.Repertoire
The central defining tune is Red River Jig, which is not actually a jig but rather a reel. A local anecdote relates that "the way to drive a Métis crazy is to nail his moccasins to the floor and play the Red River Jig The dancing involves prominent footwork as in Irish dance and has been brought to a high level of dexterity. Cory Poitras demonstrates simultaneous fiddle playing and "jigging" at Métis crossing in a 2007 video clip available online.According to Lederman, this is the same as the "La Grande Gigue Simple" or "La Grandeux" in Québec, which is also found in Cajun playing. Other repertoire she identifies include "Drops of Brandy" ("Le Brandy" in Québec), and "Devil's Reel" ("Le Reel du Pendu" in Québec). Other dances include Duck Dance, Square Dance and Drops of Brandy
Contemporary Métis Style Fiddle players
- John ArcandJohn ArcandJean-Baptiste Arcand, born July 19, 1942 at Winter Lake, Saskatchewan, is a Canadian fiddler. Arcand has been writing and performing since childhood, having learned the traditional Red River Métis tunes from his father Victor and his grandfather Jean-Baptiste...
- Calvin VollrathCalvin VollrathCalvin Vollrath is a Canadian fiddler and composer. He is one of the best fiddlers in the world. He is also one of the few European-Canadian fiddle players playing professionally in the Métis style. He lives in Alberta....
- Andy de JarlisAndy de JarlisAndy de Jarlis was a Canadian Métis fiddler, with "more than 200 musical compositions to his credit as well as 38 records."...
Background
The Métis are one of the Aboriginal peoples in CanadaAboriginal peoples in Canada
Aboriginal peoples in Canada comprise the First Nations, Inuit and Métis. The descriptors "Indian" and "Eskimo" have fallen into disuse in Canada and are commonly considered pejorative....
who trace their descent to mixed European and First Nations
First Nations
First Nations is a term that collectively refers to various Aboriginal peoples in Canada who are neither Inuit nor Métis. There are currently over 630 recognised First Nations governments or bands spread across Canada, roughly half of which are in the provinces of Ontario and British Columbia. The...
parentage. The term was historically a catch-all describing the offspring of any such union, but within generations the culture syncretised into what is today a distinct indigenous group
Aboriginal peoples in Canada
Aboriginal peoples in Canada comprise the First Nations, Inuit and Métis. The descriptors "Indian" and "Eskimo" have fallen into disuse in Canada and are commonly considered pejorative....
, with formal recognition equal to that of the Inuit
Inuit
The Inuit are a group of culturally similar indigenous peoples inhabiting the Arctic regions of Canada , Denmark , Russia and the United States . Inuit means “the people” in the Inuktitut language...
and First Nations
First Nations
First Nations is a term that collectively refers to various Aboriginal peoples in Canada who are neither Inuit nor Métis. There are currently over 630 recognised First Nations governments or bands spread across Canada, roughly half of which are in the provinces of Ontario and British Columbia. The...
. Mothers were often Cree
Cree
The Cree are one of the largest groups of First Nations / Native Americans in North America, with 200,000 members living in Canada. In Canada, the major proportion of Cree live north and west of Lake Superior, in Ontario, Manitoba, Saskatchewan, Alberta and the Northwest Territories, although...
, Ojibwa
Ojibwa
The Ojibwe or Chippewa are among the largest groups of Native Americans–First Nations north of Mexico. They are divided between Canada and the United States. In Canada, they are the third-largest population among First Nations, surpassed only by Cree and Inuit...
y, Algonquin, Saulteaux
Saulteaux
The Saulteaux are a First Nation in Ontario, Manitoba, Saskatchewan, Alberta and British Columbia, Canada.-Ethnic classification:The Saulteaux are a branch of the Ojibwe nations. They are sometimes also called Anihšināpē . Saulteaux is a French term meaning "people of the rapids," referring to...
, Menominee
Menominee
Some placenames use other spellings, see also Menomonee and Menomonie.The Menominee are a nation of Native Americans living in Wisconsin. The Menominee, along with the Ho-Chunk, are the only tribes that are indigenous to what is now Wisconsin...
, Mi'kmaq or Maliseet. At one time there was an important distinction between French Métis born of francophone
Francophone
The adjective francophone means French-speaking, typically as primary language, whether referring to individuals, groups, or places. Often, the word is used as a noun to describe a natively French-speaking person....
voyageur
Voyageurs
The Voyageurs were the persons who engaged in the transportation of furs by canoe during the fur trade era. Voyageur is a French word which literally translates to "traveler"...
fathers, and the Anglo Métis or Countryborn descended from Scottish
Scotland
Scotland is a country that is part of the United Kingdom. Occupying the northern third of the island of Great Britain, it shares a border with England to the south and is bounded by the North Sea to the east, the Atlantic Ocean to the north and west, and the North Channel and Irish Sea to the...
fathers. Today these two cultures have essentially coalesced into one Métis tradition. Other former names—many of which are now considered to be offensive—include Bois-Brûlés
Bois-Brûlés
Bois-Brûlés , or Brullis , is a sub-tribe of North American Dakota Indians . The name is most frequently associated with the Dakota in Manitoba near the Red River of the North.The Bois-Brûlés took part in the Battle of Seven Oaks...
, Mixed-blood
Mixed-blood
The term mixed-blood in the United States is most often employed for individuals of mixed European and Native American ancestry who are not of Hispanic descent . Some of the most prominent in the 19th century were mixed-blood or mixed-race children born of marriages and unions between fur traders...
s, Half-breed
Half-breed
Half-breed is an historic term used to describe anyone who is mixed Native American and white European parentage...
s, Bungi
Bungi
Bungi may refer to:* Bungi creole, a 19th century western Canadian creole English spoken in the Red River Colony* Bunji, Pakistan, a town in the northern area of Pakistan...
, Black Scots and Jackatars.
The Métis homeland includes regions scattered across Canada, as well as parts of the northern United States
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
(specifically Montana
Montana
Montana is a state in the Western United States. The western third of Montana contains numerous mountain ranges. Smaller, "island ranges" are found in the central third of the state, for a total of 77 named ranges of the Rocky Mountains. This geographical fact is reflected in the state's name,...
, North Dakota
North Dakota
North Dakota is a state located in the Midwestern region of the United States of America, along the Canadian border. The state is bordered by Canada to the north, Minnesota to the east, South Dakota to the south and Montana to the west. North Dakota is the 19th-largest state by area in the U.S....
, and northwest Minnesota
Minnesota
Minnesota is a U.S. state located in the Midwestern United States. The twelfth largest state of the U.S., it is the twenty-first most populous, with 5.3 million residents. Minnesota was carved out of the eastern half of the Minnesota Territory and admitted to the Union as the thirty-second state...
).
Almost 400,000 people self-identify as Métis in Canada. Most Métis people today are not so much the direct result of First Nations and European intermixing any more than English Canadians today are the direct result of intermixing of Saxons
Saxons
The Saxons were a confederation of Germanic tribes originating on the North German plain. The Saxons earliest known area of settlement is Northern Albingia, an area approximately that of modern Holstein...
and Britons
Britons (historical)
The Britons were the Celtic people culturally dominating Great Britain from the Iron Age through the Early Middle Ages. They spoke the Insular Celtic language known as British or Brythonic...
. The majority of Métis who self-identify today are the direct result of Métis intermarrying with other Métis. Over the past century, countless Métis are thought to have been absorbed and assimilated into European-Canadian populations making Métis heritage (and thereby aboriginal ancestry
Aboriginal peoples in Canada
Aboriginal peoples in Canada comprise the First Nations, Inuit and Métis. The descriptors "Indian" and "Eskimo" have fallen into disuse in Canada and are commonly considered pejorative....
) more common than is generally realized. Geneticists estimate that 50 percent of today's population in Western Canada
Western Canada
Western Canada, also referred to as the Western provinces and commonly as the West, is a region of Canada that includes the four provinces west of the province of Ontario.- Provinces :...
have Aboriginal blood
Certificate of Degree of Indian Blood
A Certificate of Degree of Indian Blood or Certificate of Degree of Alaska Native Blood is an official U.S. document that certifies an individual possesses a specific degree of Native American blood of a federally recognized Indian tribe, band, nation, pueblo, village, or community...
, and therefore would be classified as Métis by any genetic
Genetics
Genetics , a discipline of biology, is the science of genes, heredity, and variation in living organisms....
measure. There is substantial controversy over who qualifies as Métis. Unlike First Nations people, there is no distinction between status and non-status Métis. The legal definition itself is not yet fully developed. S.35 of the Constitution Act, 1982
Section Thirty-five of the Constitution Act, 1982
Section thirty-five of the Constitution Act, 1982 provides constitutional protection to the aboriginal and treaty rights of Aboriginal peoples in Canada. The section, while within the Constitution Act, 1982 and thus the Constitution of Canada, falls outside the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms...
makes mention of the Métis stating:
Other scholarly references
- 1987 Ledennan. Ann Old Native and Métis Fiddling in Manitoba. Vol. L Toronto: Falcon Productions, 783
A. Queen St W. M6J 101
- Canadian Journal for Traditional Music (1991)
Old Indian and Métis Fiddling in Manitoba: Origins, Structure, and Questions of Syncretism
Anne Lederman
- This article was originally published in The Canadian Journal of Native Studies 7.2 (1988): 205-30.
- 1983 Music of the Indians and Métis I & n (Kit). Winnipeg: Manitoba Department of Education and
Training, Media Productions.
- Whidden, Lynn 'How can you dance to Beethoven? Native people and country music,' CUMR, 5, 1984
' Whidden, Lynn Hymn anomalies in traditional Cree song,' Recherches Amérindiennes au Québec, vol 15, no 4, 1984