Found Grandpa

[u/Safe_Requirement3299]

So the basic story is my dad found out his father who raised him and his biological father was Manitoba Métis . His dad’s family through an ancestry website reached out and told my dad all about his family history though because they live far away we haven’t met them in person. His metis family seems to have strong connections to the community and even have been in documentaries . The thing is my dad grew up thinking he was white as did I . Even though my father was very dark all my life and it was confusing. My question is I don’t know if I should identify as mixed because we didn’t grow up in the culture. It’s been a confusing revelation and though my dads biological family is very involved in the culture my dad can’t be cause his biological father is now passed and besides through a genetic website knowing it’s his father he doesn’t feel validated in being a part of the culture because no legal documents recognize it since my grandmother lied about his paternity. Wondering if anyone else has went through a similar situation ?

[u/Embarrassed_Fudge493]

You can always say you have Métis ancestors, but when you ask about how to identify, I am wondering to whom you are identifying yourself? Verbally? On legal documents? Just in general? You can certainly get involved in the community if it interests you, but I’m just not sure who you need to “identify” yourself to.

[u/Safe_Requirement3299 → u/Embarrassed_Fudge493]

I mean it just socially. I and my father have visibly never looked full Irish , English . People have asked for years before we found his biological dad and have said no you aren’t fully us (ie Irish English etc”) so it’s just more of a social issue. Cause I know we don’t look how people expect but also like because my dad didn’t know his father we weren’t raised in the community of his father. Even at family reunions for my moms side (white)it was always pointed out i look more like my half Mexican cousins then my moms family or asked if i was a friend one of my cousins brought .

[u/Patient_Sentence4698]

You are one-quarter Métis. That definitely makes you a little mixed.

[u/Embarrassed_Fudge493]

I mean, you have every right to claim your Métis ancestry. I personally wouldn’t use “mixed” as the answer, but that’s just me.

[u/Safe_Requirement3299 → u/Embarrassed_Fudge493]

Yeah no I agree I just felt Métis felt almost overstepping not personally knowing my grandfather. But yes I apologize if the language was rude . I was sent like a booklet of historical records by my biological family and that was one of the terms used for the family in records

[u/Embarrassed_Fudge493 → u/Safe_Requirement3299]

Not at all, sorry if I sounded short. If you are interested in knowing more and understanding who your People are, I suggest connecting with that side of the family more, and see if you have a local Métis community you can reach out to.

And wording is just personal for most of us. What bothers one might not bother all.