According to the Metis Nation website, the Metis people have a rich musical history that dates back to the early 19th century. Metis music is a blend of Indigenous, French, and Scottish influences, reflecting the diverse cultural backgrounds of the Metis people.

In the past, Metis music was an important part of daily life, serving as a form of entertainment, storytelling, and cultural expression. Traditional Metis music was often accompanied by the fiddle, which became a symbol of Metis identity and is still widely used in Metis music today.

As the Metis people faced challenges and displacement due to colonization, their music evolved and incorporated new influences, such as country and western, rock, and pop. This evolution of Metis music reflects the resilience and adaptability of the Metis people in preserving their culture.

Today, Metis music continues to thrive and is celebrated through various festivals and events, such as the annual Back to Batoche Days and the Gabriel Dumont Institute’s Metis Cultural Days. The Metis Nation is also actively promoting and supporting the development of new Metis musicians and artists.

Through the Metis Nation music series on Radio World Today, listeners can learn about the diverse history and evolution of Metis music, as well as discover and appreciate the talented Metis musicians of today. This series serves as a platform to showcase the unique and vibrant musical culture of the Metis people and to celebrate its enduring legacy.

The Schedule can be found here.